The collar clicks.
Not on her throat—but in her.
Vera twitches like she’s been electrocuted. Static crackles down her spine like burning magic—and then—
Torment.
Not a sting, but an ache. Twisting.
It writhes through her stomach like something trying to consume her from the inside out.
Rael’s hand is still on her wrists, restraining her. The other was still half-raised from where he’d been moving to touch her again.
The scent of her heat hits him harder now. No longer just sweet and slick—now it smells like rot.
“Vera—” His voice is a low growl.
She arches under him, eyes wide, mouth agape, panting—but she doesn’t speak. Just a whimper. A sob. Her whole-body shudders like it might combust from the inside.
Rael jerks his hand toward the collar. The rune-glow is different now—no lo
