Before I could even comprehend what was happening, Kael’s hand shot out, grabbing my arm with a force that made me stumble forward. His grip was unyielding, his fingers like steel around my wrist. He yanked me toward him so suddenly that I almost fell against his chest.
The world tilted as my heart raced wildly, my breathing ragged and shallow. I could feel his heat, the raw energy radiating off him in waves, and I was terrified. Every instinct I had screamed at me to run, but I was frozen, trapped by his burning red gaze.
My blood felt like it was rushing in every direction at once. My pulse hammered in my ears, drowning out everything else. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, to plead for my life.
“I didn’t mean to—” I started, but Kael cut me off before I could finish.
“Ta
