Chapter 107
Nix
The cry trapped in my throat finally breaks free as I fall out of the darkness and into a brightly lit room.
My body collides with something hard, and I grab for it, trying to catch myself.
But it tips, and I bring the large… sculpture down with me.
I curl in on myself as I slam into the glossy wood floor, and glass shatters around me.
People shout.
Pain rolls through me.
I was taken.
Someone pulled me through a painting.
A mirror.
I need to get away.
Shards of glass cut into my bare arms as I roll onto my hands and knees.
Blood trails down my arm, but I ignore it and the glass under my palms as I try to get to my feet.
Something slams to the ground beside me, shaking the floor, and I lose my balance, slipping on more debris. My jeans protect my knees. And my skin is healing itself, but my hands are slippery with blood.
The shouts in the room turn into screams.
I need to get away!
A thick arm curls around my neck and lifts me from the ground in a choke hold.
My feet kick in the air, and I claw at the forearm, even though I know it’s no use.
Because I can see my reflection on the opposite wall.
I can see my bloodstained tank top.
I can see the tears rolling down my cheeks.
I can see the fear radiating from my black eyes.
And I can see the vampire holding me. Choking me.
Tall as they all are. Horns and fangs. But mostly what I can see is the hatred burning in his eyes.
He wants me dead.
He wants Volik dead.
I claw harder.
I struggle more.
I try.
But even though I have some vampire traits, I don’t have their physical strength.
Not enough to break free.
My sob is stuck.
Locked in my throat with my breath.
“Share your videos,” the voice beside my ear sneers. “Let Volik know what’s coming for him. Let him fear.”
I hear my name whispered by voices I can’t quite understand.
There’s a crowd here.
I blink, trying to see who else is here.
Who was screaming.
I try to see them.
Try to make out where I am.
Try to make sense of all the gold. All the mirrors…
But I can’t breathe.
My heart is racing.
My chest is aching.
My heart keeps racing.
More tears.
More sadness.
Volik hasn’t slowed our heart.
Volik’s heart is racing too.
My mate… He’s panicking.
I squeeze my eyes shut and try to calm my pulse.
I try so hard.
But I can’t.
I can’t help Volik.
A rough hand grips my wrist.
I try to twist my hand free.
My vision is wavering.
My chest is screaming.
The man pulls my hand up and back over my shoulder.
Then Morell licks the blood off my palm.
I try to yell.
Try to pull my hand away.
The feeling of his tongue on my skin makes my stomach roil.
I ball my other hand into a fist and swing up.
My captor pulls his head back, avoiding the hit. But he releases my wrist.
“P-put her down!” a woman calls out.
Please.
Please listen.
“No,” Morell growls. “I think I’ll keep her.”
Then he jumps forward.
Through a closed window.