Rose’s POV

Victor’s presence surrounded me—grounding but overwhelming, such power to which I didn’t know if I wanted to succumb. He stood in front of me, rock solid, his dark-eyed stare pinned on mine in frustration and concern. The look on his face made denial of the reality before me impossible.

“Rose,” he said to her, his voice under control, but below, an undercurrent of urgency.

I folded my arms in front of myself, in a useless gesture to put something between us. ...