He leaned closer, his silver eyes boring into mine. “Do you understand now, Vivian? Why I had to do this? Why I can’t let The Shadow continue to destroy everything in his path?”
“Yes,” I heard myself say, though the word felt foreign in my mouth.
He smiled as he brushed a tear from my cheek. “You’re beginning to see the truth. Good girl.”
My stomach churned at the words, but the compulsion’s influence smothered my revulsion, replacing it with the sickening warmth of pride.
“Now,” he said, standing and moving to a nearby wardrobe. “It’s time for a little field trip. I think it’s important for you to see your husband and his friends.”
His words sent a wave of panic through me, but I kept my expression neutral.
Izo pulled something from the wardrobe and turned back to me. “This will be your uniform.”
The outfit he held was made of iridescent material that shifted with every movement, catching the light in a way that was both beautiful and unsettling. It was skimpy—a halter top and an impossibly short skirt that left little to the imagination.
“I don’t want to wear that.”
“You don’t have a choice. Get dressed.”
I hesitated, my hands shaking as I reached for the fabric. Every instinct screamed at me to resist, but the compulsion tightened, sending a wave of pain through me that made me gasp.
“Now, Vivian,” he said, his tone sharp.
I forced myself to stand, my body trembling as I slipped my shirt over my head. Even though Izo had already seen me naked, this felt different. Too close. Too personal.
His gaze raked over me, unashamed and predatory, as I removed the rest of my clothes and pulled on the uniform. The material was cool against my skin, clinging in all the wrong ways.
My hands fumbled as I tied the halter top behind my neck, my fingers trembling as I tried to ignore the burn of his eyes on me.
“Perfect,” he said softly, his smile widening as he stepped back to admire me.
I wanted to curl in on myself, to hide from his gaze, but the compulsion forced me to stand still, to endure his scrutiny.
“You look stunning. Now, let’s go. We don’t want to keep your husband waiting.”
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to nod as I followed him to the door.
But deep inside, buried beneath the layers of control and manipulation, a tiny ember of resistance still burned.
And I held onto it with everything I had.
Izo’s handrested lightly on the small of my back as he guided me down the narrow, spiraling staircase. The air grew colder with each step, thick with the scent of salt and damp stone. My bare feet slipped against the slick surface, but I didn’t dare falter. His presence beside me was oppressive, the compulsion pulling at my every thought, smothering any instinct to resist.
He’s taking you to them.
The realization settled like a stone in my chest. Raffaele. Camilla. Luca. Vincenzo. Dorian.
The compulsion tightened, sending a warning through me as if to snuff out the spark of anticipation that rose at the thoughtof seeing them again. I pushed it down, keeping my expression blank as I followed Izo deeper into the palace’s underbelly.
The staircase ended at a narrow corridor. The bioluminescent algae clinging to the walls provided the only light.
“Do you hear that?” Izo asked, his voice calm and almost conversational.
I tilted my head, straining to listen. A faint melody hung in the air, soft and mournful. The sound seeped into my skin, stirring an inexplicable ache deep in my chest.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he continued. “The runes on these walls create a melody that weakens the will. It dredges up memories, fears, regrets. Perfect for breaking even the strongest of prisoners.”
My stomach twisted at his words, but I said nothing.
