I swallowed hard, my hand wrapping around my throat as I winced at the burning sensation.
How the fuck am I moving? My bones were shattered. I was dying.
I patted my arms, legs, stomach, chest, and head to find no injuries at all. It was like the car accident hadn’t even happened. The only indication it had was that my clothes were torn and uncomfortable dried blood was crusted all over me.
Fuck.Panic flitted through me.My phone was in the passenger seat.
I reached up and clasped the fire opal pendant resting on my neck, and a calmness spread over me from the warmth it radiated.
Thank God it’s still there.
I pried my bleary eyes open as I sat upright with adrenaline flooding my system. My gaze darted around the room, soaking in my surroundings. Soft evening light from the large glass balcony door bathed the room in a golden hue.
I was lying on a soft king-size mattress with various throw pillows scattered around me. A few gothic-like paintings hung on the white walls, and I could see the details of the brush strokes.
A low whistle from the wind howling outside was the only sound in the room, and it was eerie as fuck. I wasn’t used to that level of quiet growing up with two older brothers.
Shit.
I had to let them know I was okay.
I swung my legs to the side of the bed, and my bare feet hit the plush carpet as I stood.
“Welcome to Draven Manor,” a deep voice drawled.
I whirled around to find a man leaning against the door that led to the balcony with his arms crossed—tattoos of dragons, fire, and some language I didn’t recognize covered his biceps.
He was fucking hot in a rugged kind of way. Pure white hair spiked up on his head, and a scent of charcoal and soot wafted off him. His steel eyes pierced me as his head tilted to the side, and his pink tongue darted out to wet his lips.
I couldn’t tell if it was a good or a bad thing that there was a bed separating us.
“What the fuck? How are you even real?” My tongue ran over my bottom lip. “You’re like a seriously hot anime character from an otome game.”
His lips quirked up into a cocky smile, and dangerous heat rushed through me. “What the fuck is an otome game?”
Planting a hand on my hip, I grinned. “It’s a video game. That’s all you need to know.”
“I do have Google, you know?”
“Hmm. Then I guess you can look it up yourself and sate your curiosity.”
“I’d rathersatesomething else, Poppy.” His gaze darkened as it raked up and down my body with clear desire.
“As interesting as that sounds, my name’s not Poppy, you heartbreaker.”
His brow raised. “Heartbreaker, really?”
I shrugged. “You’re hot, and judging by that insanely cocky grin on your face, you know it.”
“Doesn’t make me a heartbreaker, Poppy.”
I rolled my eyes. “I told you, my name’snotPoppy.”
“Your hair is the color of a poppy, so I think it suits you.” His sinfully tempting mouth quirked into a teasing smile.
“I haven’t heard that one before.” I tilted my head, imagining the soft, red petals of a poppy flower. “It’s cute, but it’s still not my name.”
“What’s your name then?”
