EMBER
Fear paralyzed me to the spot, my body shaking in the stranger's arms. My eyes widened as Azai approached the door slowly.
"Let go," I said, my voice muffled.
Tears pricked my eyes. I didn't want Azai to see me like this. The shame was too heavy for me to bear. It felt as though I was drowning. But the stranger didn't seem to care about my growing discomfort.
Suddenly, a flash of memory hit me.
Rough stone scraping my cheek. Kairos pinning me face-first against a wall exactly like this. His hand clamped brutally over my mouth while he shoved my thighs apart.
"Don't fight it, Ember," he growled into my ear, his voice thick with sick pleasure. "You know you want this."
"No—Kairos, stop! Please!" I had sobbed, tears streaming down my face.
I gagged against his palm, pure revulsi
