The confrontation with Lord Kieran lasted exactly eighteen minutes.
I knew because I'd been counting every second, watching the silver fire dance around my fingers while Kieran circled me like a predator evaluating prey. He was everything Marcus had warned me about - ancient power wrapped in aristocratic charm, with eyes that had seen empires rise and fall.
"You're younger than I expected," he'd said, studying me with the intensity of a collector examining a rare artifact. "And more... volatile."
"Sorry to disappoint."
"On the contrary, my dear. Predictability is so terribly boring." His smile revealed fangs that gleamed like polished ivory. "I have a proposition for you."
"I'm listening."
"Join me willingly, and your friends go free. All of them. Including young Marcus and his siste
