"You're trying to seduce me. Again."
"Is it working?" She presses closer, and I feel her determination mixing with genuine arousal. The proximity affects her as much as it does me.
"No."
But my form solidifies further, shadow tendrils reaching for her before I pull them back.
"Liar," she breathes, then hooks her foot behind my ankle and shoves.
I don't fall, I'm too solid, too strong, but the surprise makes me step back. She uses that moment to dart past me, her hand reaching for the ward.
I catch her wrist inches from disaster, spinning her around and slamming her back against the wall. Not gently. My patience has run out.
"You could have died," I snarl, my face inches from hers. "Those wards would have torn you apart, and I would have had to watch it happen. Is that what you want? To die for your stubbornness?"
"I want the truth!"
"The truth is that you're reckless. Impulsive. So focused on your revenge that you'd throw your life away for a glimpse of information."
"At least I'm doing something! You just hide in your shadows, keeping secrets, playing games."
"Playing games?" My voice drops to something dangerous. "You think this is a game to me? You think watching you march toward self-destruction is entertaining?"
"Then tell me what's in there!"
"Evidence. Notes. Details about victims. About your sister." I press closer, my body caging hers completely.
She flinches, but doesn't look away. "I need to know."
"No. You want to torture yourself with details that won't change anything." My hands bracket her face, forcing her to maintain eye contact. "She's gone, Yorika. Knowing exactly how won't bring her back."
"Fuck you."
"Is that an offer?"
The words hang between us, charged with more than anger. Her scent changes, the sharp tang of fury underscored by the sweeter note of arousal.
"You wish," she spits.
"I do." The admission surprises us both. "I want you with an intensity that borders on madness. Want to claim you, mark you, make you mine in every way possible."
"Then why don't you?"
"Because you'd hate me for it. More than you already do."
"I already hate you completely. What's a little more?"
She's challenging me again, pushing boundaries, testing how far she can go before I snap. Her body presses against mine deliberately, her hands sliding up my chest.
"You want me to lose control," I realize.
"I want you to stop pretending to be civilized. You're a monster. Act like one."
"Be careful what you wish for."
"Why? Afraid you'll prove me right about what you are?"
"Afraid I'll prove you right about what you want."
