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I close my eyes tight, attempting to block out that damn light. I know someone’s on the other side, watching me, most likely enjoying the misery that I’m experiencing, but I won’t give them the satisfaction. I will not cry. I will not scream. If they think solitary confinement in the darkness is new to me, then they are sorely mistaken.

Despite my treatment, it’s not like they’re going to kill me—not yet—my death serves a purpose. I imagine that I don’t have to wait much longer before either Cade comes for me, or they do.

I’ve never been afraid to die. It was an inevitability. I just want more time. I really thought for a moment that I had a choice. My brother controlled every aspect of my life. With Kai, I thought I could be free. Turns out he was just another person who is keeping things from me.

I am so fucking sick of everyone having a say in my life. Not once have I had the power to control what happens to me, and now that I finally have the will, I barely have the strength to move. Of course I should’ve known that hoping for more was too good to be true, but I will continue to believe until the very end that I’ll make it through this. What other choice do I have?

I hear crackling coming from the corner of the room before a voice begins speaking.

“Oh my dear, you look absolutely famished. Poor thing.” It’s a woman’s voice I can only assume is Rosa.

Ignoring her, I roll over and face the wall.

“That’s fine, you can ignore me. Just listen,” she continues, “Your brother is on his way with the grimoire. And your time will come, but for now we need to keep you alive enough.”

I hear metal glide against metal, and a fluorescent light spills into the empty room. I squint as it burns my eyes. I turn and look to see a tray with bread and water. I run over and gulp down the water. I wipe my face and turn toward the blinking red light.

“Good job, Calli. I apologize for the poor treatment, but considering our position, we didn’t have much of a choice. Wouldn’t want to give you an opportunity to use that magic I’m sure at this point you’ve figured out.”

I stay silent, not responding to her as I take a bite of the bread. The moment it hits my stomach it burns and I feel sick. It’s the first time I’ve eaten anything in a while, and my body hates me for it.

“Don’t worry, my dear; it’s almost time and you’ll finally get to fulfill your purpose.”

I scoff.

“You’ll finally be free, and your parents’ goals will be met. You see, I’ve gone through a great deal of trouble to make this happen. So much loss and pain. I’m sure we’re both eager to finish this.”

I see red. What does she know? How dare she bring up the two people that were supposed to love me unconditionally? Those disgusting people. I’m glad my brother killed them, I’m glad he took me. And I know that he’s on his way here right now, ready to do it again.

“You’re going to die,” I say quietly.

“I didn’t quite hear you, my dear, could you speak up?” Rosa says over the intercom calmly.

“My brother is going to rip out your tongue and feed it to you. Is that clear enough for you?” I let out a manic laugh. “Did you hear me, bitch? You’re going to fucking die!”

“Oh my, what would your parents think of what you’ve become?” She speaks as if lecturing a small child. “Maybe so, but you see, your darling big brother and I cut a deal. Soon, your big brother will be of no concern to me.”

I let her words sink in as I stare at the light. What fucking deal?

That stupid fucking light saying stupid fucking shit. Shut up. Shut up. I spin on my heels and pull the mattress off the cot, tossing it to the floor. I pick up the aluminum frame and toss it into the corner at the camera.

“Shut the fuck up!”

Rosa’s voice stops, and so does the blinking red light. I plop down on the mattress on the floor and exhale a sigh of relief.

Silence. I smile, my cracked lips burning.

Tell them to hurry the fuck up.

CHAPTER 33 KAI

Can I help you? You must be getting tired of the little hunter over there. I would be if I were you.

I glance over at Cade; he is slumped in his seat and looks constipated.

You do realize that we’re all a little fucked if he stays like this. And don’t get me wrong. I get it, Calli has been taken. I’m fucking terrified, too. He’s supposed to be a professional, but I suppose no one is immune to the subjugating power of a cursed object.

I need to get that thing from him. For several reasons.