Cain stared at Zara with guilt in his heart and eyes. He couldn't believe that he had actually treated her like an experiment and that experiment had almost been the death of her. While she survived, it wasn't without consequences.
Cain could feel that a connection was forming between them but it was not of mutual understanding. It was a feeling of dominion over her as if he could control her life and death. No. It was much worse than that. He could feel her confusion and apprehension.
He knew that she wanted nothing more than to run from this place and get as far away as she possibly could. Yet the temptation of the gold Cain had offered her, the lure of the possibility to escape her impoverished lifestyle was the only thing holding her back.
Cain breathed out slowly, feeling the nausea of his own self disgust rise in him.
