Thane stepped out of the shadows, his smile predatory, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. Isla's heart pounded in her chest. They were trapped, surrounded by enemies.
"Well, well, well," Thane purred, his gaze sweeping over them. "What a delightful reunion."
Kai tightened his grip on Liam, his knuckles white. He felt a surge of anger, a burning desire to protect Isla from this monster.
"Let them go, Thane," Anya said, her voice surprisingly strong. "This doesn't concern you."
Thane chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Oh, but it does, my dear Anya. It concerns me very much." He stepped closer, his eyes fixed on Isla. "Isolde," he said, his voice a silken caress. "You cannot hide from me forever."
Isla felt a shiver run down her spine. Thane's presence was overwhelming, his power palpable. She felt a flicker of fear, but she pushed it down. She wouldn't let him intimidate her.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Thane smiled, his eyes gleaming with a dark hunger. "What I've always wanted," he replied. "You."
Kai stepped forward, shielding Isla with his body. "You'll have to go through me first," he growled.
Thane laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You? A mere boy? You are no match for me."
*Anya, sensing the escalating tension, stepped forward. "Thane," she said, her voice firm. "This is madness. Let them go, and we can forget this ever happened."
Thane's smile widened, a cruel twist of his lips. "Forget? Never. Isolde is mine. She has always been mine."
He raised his hand, and a surge of energy crackled through the air. Isla felt a wave of dizziness, a sense of impending doom. They were outmatched, outnumbered. There was no escape.