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Prologue

Briar

“Trustat his plea as he placed theit in a knot Making it so the darkness and his voice and the terrifying memories were all I are of

Histhere as he spoke The ache in his whispered words nearly bringing me to my knees “I’m sorry I have to force you to relive those days, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe”

I wanted to reach out for hi to hirip and suffocate er breathe

A shuddering breath finally burst fro My lips autoed to be freed

My entire being thrashed and rebelled against the h my mind as I stood in the enforced darkness Me now instead of all those o

My body shook harder, and I nearly screa to me?”

But it wasn’t real Not anymore

I’d lived a life made up of rules and appearances I was told what to wear, how to act, and when to speak—or sing

Even when I’d found thefelt like it was my own But I’d been happy with our life and excited for the days to come

Until they didn’t

Until I was forced into a world I’d been blind to and came face to face with the devil

A man cloaked in darkness—a man ould set me free

A man hidden in a world I vowed to destroy with him by my side

“Briar”

I whipped my head to the left when his voice sounded frorew stronger, and when I felt his dark, dark presence slip behindso desperately to hold back bled out as a whisper

“I know him I know the man behind me,” my mind screamed But those screams couldn’t be heard while I was consumed with memories he wanted me to surrender to

His breath stirred the loose hair on my neck, and just before his arms wrapped around me, he spoke in a low, sinister tone that sent chills up ht me”

Chapter 1

The Dark Room

Briar