Blaise's eyes met Lucien's with an initial lack of recognition, his expression cold and indifferent. The light was gone from his eyes, and there was a darkness to his expression, casting a somber cloud over his features. He looked tired. Bruises marred his skin, still fresh and black, while red marks along his neck hinted at a tale of sinister indulgences.
As Lucien's gaze fell upon the visible marks that marred Blaise's white skin, a flurry of thoughts raced through his mind. How could someone do this to him? What horrors has Blaise endured? Horror swept over him, his heart clenching at the sight. I can't bear to see him like this, marked and broken. 'I swear, I'll find the ones responsible and make them pay.'
