-Aurelian Salvatore:
The moment I saw his eyes on my bare face, something primal inside me snapped.
My body reacted before my mind could catch up. A sharp, violent surge of panic flooded my veins, cold and suffocating, and I lurched upright from the bed as if burned. My hands flew to my face instantly, palms pressing hard against my skin as though I could shove my features back into hiding.
"Don't look at me!" I barked, my voice rough and louder than I intended. It tore out of my throat like a warning, edged with fear I had not let anyone hear in years.
My heart was pounding so violently it hurt. Each beat thudded against my ribs like it was trying to escape, and for a terrifying second, I thought I might actually black out.
Elias didn't move.
Through the thin slits between my fingers, I saw only the outline of him standing in the doorway. Still. Silent. Watching.
That was worse.
