I struggled—wild, desperate—as the sickly, sweet smell invaded my senses.
No!
My mind screamed for air. Each breath I took was tainted. The chemicals wrapped around my thoughts like a thick fog. I clawed at the cloth, at his hands, but my strength drained from me.
My vision swam.
Shapes merged into one another as the edges of my world turned dark.
Chapter five
Meeting the Devil
The car jolted to a stop, jerking me awake from the haze of pain and fear that had clouded my mind. My body ached. My throat was still raw from Vito's choking grip.
Where am I? What is going on? Oh wait. I remember.
I was being forced to marry a monster.
The Devil in fact.
The crushing weight of reality bore down on me.
Suffocating and relentless.
All avenues of escape were blocked, leaving me gasping for air in a desperate struggle against its unyielding grip.
But I refused to give in, determined to find a way out no matter the cost.
Maybe I could jump out of the car and make a run for it. I just need to clear my head.
Before I could fully orient myself, the car door was yanked open, and Vito’s rough hand clamped down on my arm, dragging me out with a force that left no room for resistance.
Damn it.
The harsh chill of the night air slapped me in the face.
And poor Melanique. Did they even tell her? There had to be witnesses of my stepfather kidnapping me.
Either way, I hoped the ballet didn’t suffer due to this.
She’d worked too hard for that to happen.
Fucking assholes!
I stumbled out of the vehicle. My legs trembled beneath me. “Let go of me!”
My stepfather spoke up ahead. “Unfortunately, we do not have the time. Gianni has been waiting, and. . .not even I want to havehimwaiting.”
“Move.” Vito shoved me forward.
My feet faltered on the cobblestone pavement, and I glanced down at my ridiculous attire—the black and red rubied vampire queen costume, complete with the flared skirt and crimson ballet pointe shoes.
Maybe, the devil will see what I’m wearing, laugh and send me away.
I wobbled forward a little. The delicate ballet pointe shoes on my feet, with their satin ribbons and stiff toe boxes, were not meant for long-term walking.
They were designed for graceful movements on the dance floor, to elevate and support. In fact, the thin soles offered little protection against hard surfaces and rough terrain, making them unsuitable for anything other than their intended purpose.
