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There, a day was like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day, so, for what had seemed like an endless eternity, she had fallen down, down, down a blackened pit She had screaed for mercy, but no one had cared Had cried, but had never found an anchor

Then, she and another girl had landed in the center of hell

How startling to realize she’d never actually been alone

The girl had been a Phoenix, a race descended from the Greeks Every full-blooded warrior possessed the ability to rise froer after every resurrection--until the final death came, and there could be no an to thrash andhappen to you," she told hiain, he stilled

If only the Phoenix had responded to her so well When the girl had first seen her, hatred had lanced at her, hatred going far beyond what the children of the Titans--like Josephina--and the children of the Greeks usually felt for each other But even still, the Phoenix hadn’t tried to kill her, had instead allowed her to follow her through the cave, searching for the exit, without having to exert any of her oaning energy Like Josephina, she’d just wanted out

They had stu the fetid stink of sulfur Grunts and groans had reverberated in their ears, creating a terrible symphony their deprived senses hadn’t been ready for Then they’d stunized him, despite his condition, and stopped

Awe had filled her There, in front of her--her!--had been one of the infamous Lords of the Underworld She hadn’t kno she could help him, when she could barely help herself, but she’d been determined to try Whatever proved necessary

A lot had proven necessary

She looked at hireatest desire," she ad I definitely couldn’t do onto need you to ood on your prohed, quieted She brushed her fingertips over his brow

Even in his sleep, he flinched "Don’t," he snarled "I’ll destroy you, piece by piece You and your entire fa a hollow threat He would ensure it happened, and he would probably smile the entire time

Probably? Ha! He would Typical Lord

"Kane," she said, and again, he calmed "I think maybe it’s time to wake you up My family is out there, and they want me back While a thousand years passed for me inside that pit, only a day passed for them Since I failed to return to Séduire, Fae soldiers are probably hunting me"

To add to her bowl ofher, deter Josephina had done her during their escape

"Kane" She gently shook his shoulder His skin was shockingly soft and exquisitely sht and firrenades "I need you to open your eyes"

Long lashes flipped up, revealing gold-and-e masculine hands wrapped around her neck and tossed her to her back The ht She offered no resistance as Kane rolled on top of her, pinning her in place He was heavy, his grip so tight she couldn’t breathe in the rose scent she’d corance for a male, and one she didn’t understand

"Who are you?" he snarled "Where are we?"

He’s speaking directly to me Me!

"Answer"

She tried to reply, couldn’t

He loosened his hold

There Better Deep breath in Out "For starters, I’ coive them to herself at every opportunity "Release me, and we’ll work out the particulars"

"Who," he dehter

Black winked through her line of sight Her lungs burned, desperate for air, but still she offered no resistance

"Feain "Answer Now"

"Caveen

Could you watch your mouth, please? You don’t want to scare him away

He jerked away froaze re intently as she slowly sat up A red flush colored his cheeks, and she wondered if he was e to hide the weakness still puh him