The Cost of Defiance

"What?" The single syllable tore through the quiet hotel hallway, laced with a venomous disbelief. Declan’s imposing frame stiffened, the casual arrogance bleeding out of his posture in an instant.

Clara did not flinch. She felt a strange, cold detachment settling over her. Her foot throbbed with a sickening rhythm, the fresh blood continuing to soak into the hotel carpet, but she could not be b