most powerful villains in there. Kidnappings bring many others there as well, but that's usually their final resting place."
"Resting place." Omarion groaned. "They don't even survive Level One."
"Exactly." He shrugged like the idea of death was child's play. "The discovery is fascinating, but getting back to the point."
He pointed to me. "We have to figure out a way to kill you."
"This whole conversation didn't lead us anywhere!" I stressed. "All it did was make the room grow hot as fuck!"
"That's me," Omarion muttered under his breath.
"Where have you been, anyway?!" I questioned. "I haven't seen you in weeks."
"You've been too busy with your lovers to care."
"Who said I was busy? Yes, we've been kind of catching up and stuff, but that doesn't mean you can't pop in and say hello."
"I don't want to pop in and say hello!" he snarled back at me.
"Why are you yelling at me!" I yelled back.
"You're so fucking naive!"
"Says who?! I'm trying to figure out what the fuck I am! Now I'm here finding out my parents who discarded me for death aren't my parents, and I have to temporarily die? Who temporarily DIES?!"
"I'm not talking about that, dammit!"
"Then what are you talking about?!"
"You'll never understand!"
"I won't if you don't fucking tell me!"
"Y'all need a minute, though you don't get even that because the hag is on Level One," Doc called out.
"WHAT?!" we both shrieked, realizing she'd be here in a matter of minutes, if not seconds.
Omarion grabbed my hand, and before Doc could stop us, we were out the door and racing down the hall.
"Omarion?!" I hissed. "Where are we going?!"
"Shut it!" he snapped. "Just run and don't stall me."
I immediately worried about the others as we entered a corridor and I was suddenly jerked to one side, entering a hidden elevator.
"Where the hell are we going?!" I snarled, and before he could reply, I pushed him right against the wall, pinning him with my body.
My slim figure wasn't enough to hold down his muscular one, but it got his eyes glaring right down at me.
"To do what needs to be done."
"You're not actually going to kill me."
"No." He sounded insulted by my accusation. "You're so foolish."
"Why do you keep insulting me?"
"Because you're so blind to how powerful you are, and it pisses me the fuck off!" he snapped, just as the elevator door opened.
The strong smell that hit us had me cringing and looking behind me, my eyes finding only darkness.
"What floor are we on?"
"Fourth," he declared.
I looked back at him with fearful eyes, but they only grew wider when his lips collided with mine.
The desperation in the kiss riled every part of me. The spark of heat exploded through me, and all this connection was doing was making it grow.
More flaming heat. A striking desire for more intimacy. The moan that escaped me was more of a deep growl that vibrated against my throat, desperate for him to continue the intensity our slight connection made.
His hands gripped my arms harder, and I felt his desire to push me away.
He was struggling, just as I struggled to grasp what was happening. Had Omarion been interested me this entire time? Impossible when he was a dragon shifter and I was a mere…whatever.
Yet, this kiss. Scorching hot, like the sculpt of his muscles and the way his interference brought me the men I loved and kept me alive this long. Everything about this was making me want him too, but I knew better.
He's letting me go.
The last kiss included a sharp bite of my lower lip, blood beginning to pool there before he brushed his lips lightly against mine.
The slight touch made me flinch, but when I looked up to question him, I noticed the amber dragon eyes that looked back at me.
"I know what you are, Cassandra. The flame of yours is as strong as mine, if not stronger. Find the other half of yourself in this trial...and come back to me...to us…alive on the other side."
"Omari-"
He pushed me away, the force enough for me to lose my balance and fall on my ass. I thought of scrambling up and racing back to his safe arms, but the doors began to close and his expression morphed into regret and fear as the slits of his dragon eyes returned to their normal golden glory.
"Cass-" The doors shut, leaving me in pitch darkness.
I should have waited. Remained where I was and hoped he'd return for me, but an ear-piercing scream had me shooting up and racing