I tucked my chin and covered my head as I gave in to the fall, aware that there was no stopping it now. Harsh cement bit into my knees first, then my elbows, stirring a cry from my lips as I twisted and whirled, only to land unceremoniously on my back.
The air halted in my lungs, my chest momentarily stunned and forgetting how to function. Then I gasped and curled into a ball of agony, the throb starting between my legs and echoing up my spine to join the cacophony of intense sensations swimming through my nerve endings.
I’d clearly ripped open the wound Cam had left behind, only now there were no pleasant residual effects. Just pain.
So. Much. Pain.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did the overconfident mortal fall off her high horse?” a taunting voice mused far too close to my ear. “Such a shame.”
A sharp pang radiated up from my ankle as a heavy weight pressed down upon it.
Is that his hand or his foot?Rubber ridges bit into my skin in the next moment, answering my mental query.Definitely his foot. Covered by a boot.
I gasped, the pang morphing into a crushing sensation that had me forgetting about all my other injuries and focusing entirely on my lower limb.
“Humans have no rights in this world. Even humans owned by the supreme being of our kind. If you intend to live, you need to learn that lesson. And quickly.”
A scream clawed at my throat as he applied even more pressure.
“Otherwise, you’ll be easily replaced. Especially as we’re in a bunker full of blood virgins. I doubt Cam would even miss you. I mean, it’s not like he remembers a damn thing about you.”
He twisted his boot, shooting agonizing sensations up my calf. But his words hurt more, and the implication behind them.
I’m expendable because Cam doesn’t remember me.
He… he could replace me.
“Ah, there it is,” Michael mused. “You’re beginning to understand. Excellent. Now be a good little blood whore and tell me how you’re helping Damien dismantle our technical operations.”
His boot dug into my skin, forcing me to bite down on my lip to keep from crying out. I refused to give him the satisfaction. Just as much as I refused to speak. I didn’t owe him anything, least of all an explanation.
Although, I’d love to know how the hell he was still alive.
The pressure on my ankle increased to an excruciating level, forcing another scream to build in my throat.
Don’t let him win. Don’t scr?—
“Tell me how you’re helping Damien. If I like your answer, I might just let you crawl up the stairs and return to Cam’s quarters in one piece.”
He released my ankle, making me want to curl into myself even more as renewed agony shot through my veins. But his fingers in my hair suddenly grasped my attention as he tore at the roots.
“Speak, blood whore.” His breath was hot on my face, confirming his nearness.
I blinked into the darkness, only to fiercely shut my eyes as all the lights came on at once. It was blinding and cruel and unexpected.
But Michael didn’t give me a second to acclimate, his fingers tangling harshly in my knotted strands. “Answer me, Is?—”
He released me suddenly, making my world spin once more, almost as though he’d thrown me down another flight of stairs. But only my head seemed to whirl, not my body.
My stomach heaved in response.No, no. Not now.I covered my mouth, forcing myself to swallow as discomfort threatened to overwhelm me.
I felt broken.
Bruised.
Wounded.
“What the hell is going on here?” Cam’s voice cut through my mind, filling me with a wave of immediate comfort and safety.
