Page 70

She’s dragged to stand again, her legs and ankles weakly bending, and with a scream is led out of the room.

“Where is she—” I start, moving to fight again but one of my keepers roughly grabs the back of my neck, lifting me up and pushing me forward to the middle.

Everything is happening so fast, and the hum just grows louder.

“Get the fuck off—” I’m pushed to my knees, a small radiant pain bursting through my legs at the contact of hitting the floor.

I’m still swimming with confusion, and I can’t quite process what's happening, but I know I need to get to my love. I need to make sure she’s okay. She’s hurt and I need to be with her, help her.

I failed to protect her, again.

Where the hell did they take her? Where the fuck are we?

A hiss sounds from the cauldron and an iron rod is brought towards me.

Cold air hits my back as my shirt is pulled up. I don’t bother fighting it. I know what’s coming and I couldn’t save Jordie from it. I’ll let them do it. For her.

An intense, hot, blinding pain sears into the top of my spine, burning through my flesh. Heat rushes to my face and my teeth clench until they’re almost cracking. I restrain the shout wanting to tear through me because I’m not giving these creeps the satisfaction of showing any pain. Just when I think my mouth is going to open, the rod leaves my skin and a breath I didn’t know I was holding blows out of me.

I just need to get to Jordie, to make sure she’s okay.

The burning stops, and a cool air immediately blows on the new wound, making the burn morph into a raging throb. My T-shirt is dropped, and it sticks to the burnt flesh, but I don’t care.

I’m yanked to my feet, and the rope is cut from my wrists.

I’m shaking violently, my bones pulling me to the floor, but if I drop, I’m not getting back up again. So, I take a step forward, shoving through the circle of corrupt men and women before they can grab me a drag me out like cattle. And another step. And another. I’m grabbing onto any bit of furniture I can to keep myself steady until I reach the door and I’m out before anyone can stop me—

“Where do you think you’re going?” Heath grips the back of my shirt, pulling me back, my ass hitting the floor.

“Fuck off, you deranged prick,” I seethe, sweat dripping from my forehead into my mouth.

His foot meets my tailbone, pushing me forward onto my hands.

Jordie. I need to get to Jordie. Where the fuck did they take her.

Heath grips my hair, yanking my head backwards and my air gets cut off. “Phase two is complete.”

He pulls me back further, my throat forming a painful lump while I grip his calloused fingers, attempting to pry them off me.

I need to find her.

“It’s too late for you both. Do whatever the fuck you want.”

I collapse to the floor with a strained gasp as his footsteps retreat and I cough in precious oxygen before forcing myself to my feet again. I burst through the door into the cold night and that’s when I realise we’re still at the castle.

“Jordie?” I call out, my voice echoing from the trees surrounding, making birds scutter out.

Cursing under my breath, I pull out my phone and dial her number, silently praying it’s still the same one she had years ago.

My finger hovers over her name and the last conversation we had over text.

Me: Are you coming?

little devil: I won’t be long. Cassie is driving at the speed of a snail lol

Me: I can't wait to see you

little devil: me too