“Just get this over with!” Darcy darted between them, grabbing Ari’s wrist, pulling her roughly away from him and making her crash to her knees. Within a blur, Darcy slapped a thin silver band around her neck, it magically searing together at her nape; immediately, Ari felt the power within her wane like someone turning down the volume. The gold of her eyes faded. The collar neutered her.
As this happened, Adrian’s expression shifted for a fraction of a second, with something close to worry mingled within his short gasp directed at Darcy's abrupt action. But he reeled himself in quickly, his brows furrowing, his head ticking slightly, fingers balling into fists as if reminding himself of something. It was then Ari knew this wasn’t over for her. At least not yet. Because some piece of her
