He opened a portal so fast, the shadow world sucked her breath out. He dragged her through it, and she dug her heels in. It was worthless-- he was too strong. She pulled off the hood just as they emerged in a place she'd never thought she'd see again. The black fortress and dark skies made her heart drop to her feet. There was no Rhyn to rescue her this time. She was going to die.
He made his way through the fortress to a bedroom and slammed the door behind them. She stood in the middle of the chamber, quaking and praying he wasn't the sadistic bastard Sasha was.
Jade ignored her and crossed to a trunk in the corner. She watched in horror as he pulled out a crumpled woman's body, even more shocked to realize she recognized the woman's face when Jade set her on the bed. She had been one of Kris's lieutenants, Iliana. The woman's hair was red with blood, and her face clammy, but she appeared to be alive. "What're you doing, Jade?" she whispered, inching closer.
"It is called a proof of life," he said and withdrew a knife. "Darkyn wants you alive, if I can't get the vial. Kris will need to be convinced to turn it over to me."
He lifted Iliana's hand, and Katie realized what he intended. "Jade, no!"