Beneath Her Charm

leamed with a predatory hunger that sent chills down his spine. Zara stood at his side, her back presse

she hissed, her vo

was firm, but his confidence wavered. He had never been in a fight like this. He wasn't a warrior,

ade whistling past his ear. Instinct kicked in, and he countered with a wild swing. His dagger

pponent's side with surgical precision. The man crumpled to the floor, but there was no tim

Zara had already spun around, he

ion he didn't know he possessed. Blood splattered the walls, mixing with the scent of sweat and fear. Zara

re gasped, barely deflectin

She swept the legs out from under her attacker, sending

is question was drowned out by the clas

the attackers dropped to the ground, a bullet hole in his chest. He turned to see

tered, a flicker of re

harp features and cold, calculating eyes. He wore a long coat that s

s voice barely audible ove

," Zara rep

more shots in quick succession, each one finding its mark. The re

his voice smooth but c

abbing Dare by

retreat with precise shots. The attackers didn't pursu

e a slap, but it was a welcome reprieve from the suffocating tension ins

?" he panted, lo

to," she replied, though her t

his gun into a concealed holster. He looked

s him?" he

him," she

ng at their tone. "I'm sta

n hear me when I say this: you're lucky to

but Zara cut him off. "Enough. We

ow alley. Zara followed without hesitation, but Dar

asked quietly as he fel

eplied, though he

muttered, but he l

eek black car was waiting. The man opened the dr

ly a moment before following. As soon as the doors closed, the ma

?" Dare asked, his

e man replied, his e

looked just as tense. Her usual confidence was repla

aid softly. "W

xpression unreadable. "

ons pressing down on Dare like a physical force. When the car finally came to

n said, nodding

g at him to turn and run. But there was nowhere to run to

ew chairs, and a large map pinned to the wall dominated the spa

said, his tone leaving

lancing at Dar

thing I've been through tonight, you'

promised, though her words did

the man disappeared into another room

is mind, each one more pressing than the last. Who were these people? What h

e closed door, wondering what secrets Zara was keeping from him. W

sts. If he was going to survive this, he needed