Lucien stepped from the shadows. His face was contoured by the dim look on his face. His eyes carried no expression as he stopped just at the entrance. His hands sullied with blood, holding a head from a dismembered body. He stared at Lara's sleeping figure, and Esme tensed not because of the grim frown he had on his face but because of the fear that he might harm her. She stepped forward without thinking.
"She is taking her rest; it is my turn to guard," she announced abruptly to him. He looked away from her sleeping figure, tracing slowly to her face. She felt something grip her stance under his gaze; it was the first time he hadn't looked at her with disgust and anger. Maybe because this time she wasn't trying to convince him she was his mate, the one he chose. She was another person he didn't recognize. A stranger. Her heart constricted at the thought, which was more painful than she had realized.
