Aria's POV
His expression changed instantly. He crossed the room toward me, his Alpha aura settling around us like a protective shield.
"Are you okay?"
I forced myself to meet his eyes. There was so much trust in them. That made this harder.
"I've been thinking about what happened with Viktor." I drew in a shaky breath before he could answer. "I don't mean the attack. I mean the curse he left behind before he died."
I lowered my gaze, my voice dropping to something smaller than I wanted it to be. "I am afraid, Damon."
Damon reached for my hand, but I pulled it back. He stopped immediately, and I hated myself for doing that. I hated the flicker of hurt he tried to hide, but I needed to say everything before I lost my courage.
"I'm afraid I'm going to become like him."
His face harde
