Chapter 25
Maya
Another arm snakes around my waist, lifting me off the ground. The arm presses into my lungs, making it hard to breathe.
My feet don’t reach the ground as I kick against my captor.
The man grunts, but his hold doesn’t loosen.
I struggle against his hold, trying to free my arms, but he’s gigantic, and I feel like a paper doll completely at his mercy.
I try to scream, but no sound comes out.
My heart pounds so violently it’s all I can hear, all I can feel. Each beat signals the end drawing near.
The massive hand over my mouth covers my nose as well, and I struggle to draw in air through the small gaps.
He’s going to kill me.
I have so many regrets. And now… no more time to fix them. I should have given Bella a hug and told her she was amazing. I should have kissed Soren when I had the chance.
Stars bounce around the edges of my vision, but when I try to capture one, it disappears only to reappear somewhere else in the waning light.
My senses fade, blurring into numbness.
Only one thought remains when all else is gone: I need to warn Soren. He can get Bella to safety.
I feel removed from my body as I’m dragged through the penthouse.
My limbs are limp and heavy, and I force the rest of my energy into kicking.
My foot connects with something hard. Pain shoots through my toe, but it’s nothing compared to the fear.
What if this man goes for Bella next? What if Soren doesn’t come looking for me?
What if he’s searching for the painting right now, unaware of the danger? What if he leaves?
Something falls and crashes, but it’s the last sound my brain registers.