Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 28

Isadora downed her drink in one go, then grinned. "That was a rush.”

Victor lowered his gaze, giving her a searching, almost enigmatic look.

Whatever shadows had lingered in her eyes earlier seemed to have vanished. Now, there was only a spark of openness and laughter in her expression.

From his vantage point above her, Victor's deep eyes swept over the city sprawled below the hillside.

This was his secret retreat.

Whenever he was in a bad mood, he'd race up here, let the wind whip through his hair, and take in the endless city lights. It always left him feeling alive and clear- headed.

Tonight, seeing her struggle to keep her emotions in check, he'd brought her here on a whim.

He took a sip from the bottle of water she'd left untouched.

"Sometimes, you need a little adrenaline to really unwind."

At his words, Isadora glanced up at him. Victor stood tall beside her, his shadow falling over her in the night.

He was strikingly handsome, always carrying himself with an air of quiet self- restraint yet there was something wild and untamed about him, a kind of easy confidence she couldn't help but notice.

He wasn't bound by anything, not like her.

She wasn't sure why he'd brought her up here tonight, but the experience was worth it. She felt lighter than she had in a long time.

With genuine appreciation, Isadora said, "Thank you, Victor. For bringing me here. This is the first time I've ever let myself go like this."

amusement. "Thank me? What, are you going to buy

tiny smile touched Isadora's lips. She

she couldn't quite describe what she was

darkness, but her heart was pounding wildly

the thrill of speeding up the winding roads

would hear the frantic beat of her heart, she quickly turned away and looked down at the glittering

expanse below, the city stretching out like a sprawling, crystal palace beneath her

"This

rested on her face, which was flushed from the alcohol. His tone was teasing,

in those TV shows, people come to the top of a hill and just scream

it?" Victor's voice was lazy, casual. "Nope. So far, I've never needed to

before they could get to

found herself studying his calm, unruffled demeanor, unable

people never had to

had everything-privilege, status, charm. What could

down, his gaze meeting hers in the

them, the summer sky was scattered with stars,

let out a soft chuckle. "If you want to scream, just do it. Don't

clear as glass, wide and earnest, like a startled

were the one who'd

the alcohol-and his permission-Isadora took a deep breath. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted out over the sleeping

"Ahhhhhh!"

"Magnus, go to hell!"

brow furrowed at