Damian stood in what would become Asher's room.
He'd been preparing it for months. Making sure everything was perfect.
King-sized bed with expensive linens. Floor-to-ceiling windows (reinforced, unbreakable). Private bathroom with luxury fixtures. Walk-in closet already stocked with clothes in Asher's size.
Everything Asher could possibly need.
Everything except freedom.
The door had a lock on the outside. The windows didn't open. There was no phone, no internet access, no way to contact the outside world.
But it was beautiful. Comfortable. A gilded cage for a beautiful bird.
"He'll understand eventually," Damian told himself. "Once he realizes Kael isn't coming. Once he accepts that this is his life now. Once he sees how much better I can treat him."
He'd done his research on Stockholm Syndrome. On conditioning. On the psychological techniques needed to make someone dependent on their captor.
It would take time. Patience. The right combination of kindness and control.
