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."

lips curling in amusement. "Thank me? What,

lips. She murmured, barely

moment, she couldn't quite describe what

but her heart

up the winding roads was still in

quickly turned away and looked down at

eyes lingered on the dazzling expanse below, the city stretching out like a sprawling, crystal palace

couldn't hold back a sigh. "This place

on her face, which was flushed from the alcohol. His tone was teasing, "Mind if you what? Want to bark like a puppy?" Isadora's ears turned

to the top of a hill and just scream

voice was lazy, casual. "Nope. So far, I've never needed

problems before

found herself studying his calm, unruffled demeanor, unable to

people never had to

would he? He'd always had everything-privilege, status, charm. What could possibly trouble

Victor looked down, his gaze meeting

the summer sky was scattered with stars, bright and

to scream, just do it. Don't look at me

glass, wide and earnest, like a startled

as if he were the one

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