_Kayden's POV_

Leah’s wide and terrified eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the shiver that ran through her. Her fear was palpable, but I didn’t care. My voice, low and sharp, cut through the tense silence of the temple. "You really thought you could escape me, didn’t you?"

Her body froze, and I watched as the blood drained from her face. Her heart was pounding. I could hear it. Whatever power she thought she had, whatever defiance she thought she could wield, was gone now. She knew ...