Chapter 1

My skin crawled, every hair rising like it had a mind of its own. A jolt of fear surged through my scalp, silencing the scream before it left my lips. I sprang from my gaming chair, nearly knocking it over as I stumbled backward in a panic.

My back slammed into the cold wall with a thud, and I had nowhere left to run.

A hiss sliced through the silence, sharp and far too close.

It slowly lifted its tiny head, its beady black eyes gleaming eerily in the dim light.

Its thin tongue flicked in and out, as if it was sizing me up with a cold, calculating stare.

It was Lucien Blackwood's snake, the one he doted on like royalty.

But to me, it was nothing short of vicious.

For some reason, it seemed to take genuine pleasure in watching me lose my cool. And worse, it had a habit of slithering into my clothes, like it belonged there.

Once, it somehow managed to slither into the lingerie I'd hung up to dry, and that memory still haunts me.

"Not again," I whispered, teeth chattering so hard they hurt.

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat so loud it echoed in my ears.

I curled up tight, clutching my knees like a lifeline, wishing I could melt into the cracks of the wall.

My fists clenched so hard my knuckles turned white, nails biting into my palms as if the pain could somehow hold back the flood of fear.

Sweat beaded along my temple, cold and clammy as it slid down my face.

Then came the soft creak of the bedroom door sliding open.

Lucien stepped into the doorway.

He looked like he'd just stepped out of the shower. Damp hair fell casually over his forehead, a few stubborn strands clinging to his skin, softening the sharp angles of his face.

But that softness was a lie.

He propped himself casually against the doorframe, hands shoved deep in his pockets. His gaze raked over me in the corner, and his lips pulled into a slow, chilling smile.

A low, disapproving hum escaped his lips.

"After all these years..." his voice was low and steady, sharp as a blade slicing through silence and cutting straight into my ears.

"Stella Quinn. Are you really still that scared of snakes? Or…" He paused, his dark eyes locking onto mine, which were bloodshot and wide from panic.

"…have you just gotten so good at pretending?" Lucien murmured.

Lucien's words hung in the air for a moment longer before I snapped my head up, glaring at him with burning eyes.

Fear still gripped my chest, and without warning, hot tears welled up.

I sank my teeth into my lower lip until I tasted blood, using the pain to hold back the tears.

I told myself I couldn't cry, not when I knew it would only feed his cruel sarcasm.

"Lucien Blackwood," my voice shook, trembling with the emotion I tried so hard to swallow.

"Get it out of here. Now," I shrieked. "And I mean it."

Instead of rushing to help, he took his time, as if my fear didn't register.

With every step he took, the air grew heavier, like the walls themselves were closing in.

The little white snake, as if summoned by his presence, coiled on the armrest before slowly slithering toward me.

"No," I screamed. "Stay away from me!"

I screamed and scrambled backward on all fours, my spine scraping raw against the rough wall.

Lucien finally stopped beside the chair.

He held out one finger, and the snake obediently coiled itself up his wrist.

The snake's stark white body stood out sharply against his sun-kissed skin, making it oddly unsettling to look at.

He leaned closer, tracing the snake's head with his finger like it was something precious.

The sight stung my eyes, like it physically hurt to look at.

He looked at me again, irritation flickering in his eyes. "What are you crying for? It's not like it's going to eat you."

"Yes, I'm scared of it," I snapped, my voice cracking at the edges. "I've been terrified for years. I can't pretend I'm not, so what?"

"Does that offend you, Mr. Blackwood?" My chest was heaving now. "If it bothers you so much, then keep your damn snakes away from me. Or better yet, stay away from me altogether!"

Lucien's expression turned to stone.

He stared at me, his brows twitching just barely. He didn't say a word, but the coldness rolling off him felt sharper by the second, almost suffocating.

A sudden unease gripped me as he cast one last unreadable glance my way before turning away. The snake still coiled around his wrist as if it belonged there.

The door clicked shut behind him with a low, final thud. In an instant, the room fell silent.

I slumped back against the wall, gasping for air like I'd just broken the surface after being underwater too long.

Then the tears came, silent and relentless, splattering onto the back of my hand like scalding drops of water.