"Not as free as I think?" she repeated, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Darius stepped out of the SUV, his movements calm yet purposeful, as if he had all the time in the world. The cold forest air seeped into the vehicle, making her shiver. Sophie glanced around, her mind racing. The narrow dirt road, the oppressive shadows of the trees—it all screamed danger.
Her hand hovered over the door handle. She could run. But where?
Darius circled to her side, his towering frame blocking the faint light of the moon. He opened the door with an unsettling grace.
"Out," he said, his voice firm but not unkind.
She hesitated, her gaze darting between him and the dark forest. "You can't just drag me to some creepy backwoods and expect me to play along."
"I'm not asking," he said simply.
Sophie clenched her fists, her pride warring with the icy tendrils of fear curling in her stomach. Finally, she climbed out, planting her feet firmly on the ground.
"Fine," she said, folding her arms across her chest. "But if you're planning to murder me, at least have the decency to explain why first."
Darius's lips twitched, the ghost of a smile flickering across his face. "You're braver than you look, Sophie."
"Yeah, well, being terrified doesn't exactly help, does it?"
He didn't respond, his gaze sweeping the trees as though searching for something—or someone.
"This way," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Sophie followed reluctantly, every instinct screaming at her to bolt. But curiosity kept her feet moving. Who was this guy? And what did he mean about learning the truth?
Her gaze lingered a beat too long on his lips before she let her eyes travel upward, meeting his with a deliberate intensity. If her escape plan meant playing nice—or something more—then she'd give the performance of her life.
Darius's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly, before he turned and continued walking. Sophie's pulse quickened as frustration and uncertainty warred within her. Was he ignoring her or just waiting to see how far she'd go?
The forest path grew narrower, the trees leaning closer as if to guard the secrets ahead. Their gnarled branches twisted overhead, blotting out what little sunlight filtered through the canopy. Sophie shivered as the temperature dipped, the chill slinking down her spine.
"Are we almost there?" she asked, letting her voice waver slightly, softening the edges.
Darius didn't answer immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, his words sharp as broken glass. "Why are you pretending?"
Sophie froze mid-step. "Pretending what?"
He turned this time, his amber eyes glowing faintly in the dim light, locking onto hers like he could see straight through the bravado. "That you're not afraid. That you have any power here." He took a deliberate step toward her, the weight of his presence almost tangible. "You don't."
Sophie swallowed hard, her breath catching. The air between them crackled, heavy with an energy she didn't understand. Her mind raced for a way to regain control.
She leaned back slightly, her lips curving into a wry smile as her fingers toyed with the hem of her jacket. "You're awfully dramatic for someone who's just a mechanic. Or is there more to this whole 'mysterious stranger' thing than you're letting on?"
Darius tilted his head, his gaze narrowing. He didn't answer, and that silence was more unnerving than any threat he could have spoken.
Before she could push further, he turned sharply and continued walking. Sophie clenched her fists, biting back a curse as she followed. The path opened suddenly, revealing a clearing dominated by a massive stone staircase that plunged into the earth. A chill swept over her, but she couldn't tell if it came from the icy draft wafting up the steps or the ominous weight of the structure itself.
"What the hell is this?" she asked, her voice quieter now, as if the place demanded reverence.
Darius descended without hesitation, his broad shoulders disappearing into the darkness below. Sophie lingered at the edge, her instincts screaming at her to turn and run. But the thought of her wrecked car—and the promise of answers—pulled her forward.
As she descended, the walls closed in, the rough-hewn stone damp beneath her fingertips. The sound of dripping water echoed faintly, mixing with the steady beat of her heart. Darius stopped at the base, waiting for her, his figure half-hidden in the shadows.
"Welcome to my world," he said, his voice a low rumble.
Sophie stepped down beside him, her breath catching as she took in the cavern before her. Torches lined the walls, their flickering flames casting eerie shadows across a room filled with ancient symbols etched into the stone. The air was thick here, almost alive, and the faint hum of energy buzzed against her skin.
"What... is this place?" she asked, unable to keep the tremor from her voice.
Darius stepped closer, his presence overwhelming in the confined space. "This," he said, his voice almost reverent, "is where truths are revealed."
Before Sophie could respond, a deep growl reverberated through the cavern. Her head snapped toward the sound, her breath hitching as the shadows seemed to move, coalescing into a hulking shape with glowing eyes.
"What the—" Her words died as the beast stepped into the light, its massive frame bristling with power. It looked at her, and in that instant, the world tilted.
Darius stepped in front of her, his body taut as he faced the creature. "Stay behind me," he ordered, his voice low and commanding.
Sophie's legs trembled, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. "What is that thing?"
The creature growled again, and Sophie felt it in her bones. Darius didn't answer. Instead, he began to change. His body shifted, his muscles rippling as his human form gave way to something else, something primal and terrifying.
Sophie stumbled back, her heart hammering as the truth slammed into her like a freight train. This wasn't just a game or a strange series of coincidences. She was in over her head, and the man she'd tried to manipulate wasn't just a man.
As Darius fully transformed, his beast standing tall and ferocious, he turned his glowing gaze to her. "Run," he growled, his voice a guttural snarl.
But Sophie couldn't move. The only thought in her mind, clear and undeniable, was that her life would never be the same.
Her legs threatened to give out, but she forced herself to stay upright, her gaze locked on the battle unfolding before her.
And then, as quickly as it had started, it was over.
The creature lay motionless at Darius's feet, its body dissolving into ash. He turned to her, his chest heaving, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
"You asked for answers," he said, his voice rough and edged with exhaustion. "Now you're going to get them."