I shook my head, feeling a surge of fear.

But Asher just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You're not going anywhere, Aurora," he said. "You're going to stay right here, and we're going to work together. Whether you like it or not."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the true extent of Asher's power. He was determined to keep me in his life, no matter what it took. And I was trapped, with no way to escape.

I tried to think of a way to escape, but my mind was a blank. Asher's words echoed in my head, "You're going to stay right here, and...