CHAPTER 8

Chapter 8: Prohibited Intentions

Hardin kissed Nora, and her lips scorched. Her thoughts whirled.

What made her want her captor?

that was the man that tortured her?

Hardin's eyes shone brightly.

"Nora, you are mine. "Soul and body."

Nora lost her resolve.

She temporarily forgot her animosity.

She forgot her dread.

However, reality slammed back.

She gave Hardin a shove.

"No! You're not capable of doing this."

Hardin's grin contorted.

Yes, but I am able to. And I will.

He turned to go.

Judy is going to make you dinner. We're having dinner together tonight."

Nora became anxious.

Have dinner with Hardin?

What was his plan?

Nora's mind raced as Judy came to get her ready.

Why had she been ignited by Hardin's touch?

She wanted his attention, but why?

Judy's voice interrupted her train of thought.

"Put this on."

A gorgeous red dress.

Nora felt her heart sink.

What was in store for Hardin?

Hardin's eyes ate her as she went down to the dining room.

"You look breathtaking, Nora."

Nora's face turned red.

"Thank you."

There was tension in the dinner talk.

Her darkest worries were uncovered by Hardin's queries.

Nora's protections broke down.

Then the unimaginable occurred.

Her hand touched Hardin's.

A spark of electricity appeared.

Hardin's gaze locked with Nora's.

They merely gazed for a moment.

You could feel their illicit passion.

Hardin's magnetic personality drew Nora in more and more as the evening went on. It was difficult to avoid his charm, wit, and indisputable magnetism. She couldn't deny her developing attraction to him, even in spite of the circumstances that had brought them together.

Nora found herself opening up to Hardin in unexpected ways as their conversation flowed naturally. As she talked about her background, her dreams, and her anxieties, he listened carefully, his gaze never leaving hers.

However, as the evening wore on, Nora couldn't get rid of the persistent suspicion that Hardin had more in mind than a straightforward supper. She couldn't quite make out the hidden objective, but there was a gloom in his gaze.

Hardin then spoke in a low, sensual voice as Nora was ready to excuse herself from the table.

"Nora, I have a proposition for you."

Uncertain of what to anticipate, she turned to face him, her heart skipping a beat.

With caution, she questioned, "What kind of proposition?"

Warm breath against her ear, Hardin leaned closer.

"I want you to join me in a venture that will change both of our lives forever," he said quietly.

As she attempted to interpret his remarks, Nora's thoughts raced. What on earth may he be implying? And why did the prospect of what was ahead make her heart race?

However, the sound of footsteps cut off their chat before she could reply. Judy showed up at the doorway with a startled expression.

Something has changed, Mr. Harding. "You must see this immediately," she urged frantically.

Hardin got up from the table and looked at Nora, his face darkening.

"I apologize, but duty demands it, my love. Before turning to follow Judy out of the room, he added in a cryptic manner, "We will have to continue this conversation another time."

A feeling of dread settled over Nora as she watched Hardin's disappearing form, her pulse thumping in her breast.

What venture was he referring to?

And what had happened that had cut them apart from each other?

Alone at the table, she felt unsettled and lacked answers to her many questions.

Unaware of the imminent event, she had no idea of the significant impact it would have on her life.

Nora's mind was filled with uncertainty and concern as she sat at the table.

 She felt uneasy about the sudden pause caused by Judy and Hardin's cryptic remarks. She had the unshakeable impression that Hardin's proposal had more going on, that there was something evil hiding beneath the surface.

She was sitting there all alone in such a quiet location. She couldn't help but ponder what the venture could be and what urgent matter had caused Hardin to leave so suddenly. Was that related to what he intended to give her?

Nora felt her heart pounding in her chest as she attempted to comprehend everything. Looking around the room, she shivered with a sudden sense of unease. The magnificence of the property now felt overwhelming, as the shadows toyed with her thoughts.

As she was on the verge of getting up to go, she caught the sound of footsteps in the hallway. Nora stopped briefly, holding her breath in her throat. Hardin stood in the doorway, his expression enigmatic.

"Nora, come with me. He remarked in a quiet, hurried voice, "There's something you need to see."

For a time, Nora was uncertain whether or not to follow him. However, curiosity and the allure of the unknown prevailed. With her heart racing, she got up and followed Hardin down the dark hallway.

The tension between them was evident as they strolled in silence. Despite her inability to resist Hardin's magnetic draw, Nora couldn't get rid of the impression that she was approaching danger.

At last, they came to a door at the end of the hallway that was closed. Hardin's gaze swept across Nora's face.

His voice was low and serious as he questioned, "Are you ready for what's on the other side?"

Nora nodded, her heart filled with a mixture of fear and excitement. When Hardin opened the door, a room illuminated by flickering candlelight was unveiled. A big, intricate mirror with a mystical gleam on its surface was situated in the middle of the room.

Nora felt a strong, trembling reaction as she looked at her reflection, causing her breath to catch in her throat while she walked towards the mirror. After that, she examined more intently and noticed something that sent chills down her spine.

Standing behind her in the reflection was a dark-shrouded figure. Its eyes blazed with evil light, and the room grew cold.

With her heart thumping in her chest, Nora spun around. However, nothing was there, only the mirror, which now seemed to have a menacing aura, and the empty room.

Her voice trembled with anxiety as she murmured, "What is this, Hardin?"

As Hardin approached her and fixed his gaze on the mirror, his face grew serious.

His words were a mix of wonder and fear. "This, Nora, is a portal to another realm," he murmured. "And you, my dear, are the key to unlocking its secrets."

The ramifications of what Hardin was saying caused Nora's brain to spin. A doorway to another world? This was what kind of evil magic? And why, as though it were calling to her, did she feel an odd tug in the direction of the mirror?

Before she could utter another word, a powerful gust of wind blew through the room, causing the candles to flicker and sputter. In a sudden burst of brightness, the ghostly figure in the reflection extended towards Nora, its hand outstretched as if to seize her.

Nora let out a scream as she was surrounded by darkness, being dragged into a spinning vortex of shadows and murmurs.

As she tumbled through the nothingness, she came to the realization that her life was forever changed.

Hardin's voice was the last thing she heard, reverberating in her head.

"Nora, welcome to the world of shadows. Your fate is in store.