Chapter 35: The Breaking of Kavy Carter

Kavy's knees felt weak, but she refused to fall. Refused to let Dante see the cracks forming inside her. But he already knew. He had known before she did.

"Fighting me won't change what's happening to you," Dante said smoothly, watching her with a dark satisfaction.

Kavy clenched her jaw. "I don't want this."

"Liar," he murmured.

The word cut deep because it wasn't just an accusation—it was the truth.

Kavy's body was betraying her, piece by piece. Every breath she took was filled with the scent of him, every nerve in her body was attuned to his presence. And the longer she stood here, the harder it became to resist.

Her transformation was progressing, slow but inevitable.

The part of her that was still human clung to the idea of escape. But what was left of that part? It was slipping, crumbling, breaking beneath the weight of what Dante had awakened in her.

"Tell me you don't feel it," Dante challenged.

Kavy opened her mouth, ready to lie again, but the words caught in her throat.

Because she did feel it.

The heat. The hunger. The unbearable pull toward him.

"You're losing yourself, Kavy," Dante whispered. "And there's no going back."

Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "I won't become like you."

Dante reached out, tracing a finger along the curve of her jaw. "You already are."

A shudder wracked through her.