'I thought he was drunk!'
The thought rang loudly in Aries' mind, sharp and panicked, as he felt life almost slipping out of his body. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, drowning out every other sound, while fear clawed its way up his spine.
Lucien's voice sounded again, no longer hazy, no longer careless. It was clear, aware, and dangerously calm.
"What did you give me?" he demanded.
The question struck harder than the grip around Aries' throat.
Aries knew, he knew, that if he attempted to answer, if he even tried to form a proper response, he would not survive long enough to finish the sentence. Lucien's hand was locked tightly around his neck, fingers pressing into flesh with controlled force, cutting off his air. Breathing became painfully difficult, his lungs burning as panic crept in.
His hands couldn't pry Lucien's fingers away. They were too strong.
