“Regardless, Damien’s the one sabotaging our communications now. He’s probably trying to find a way to reach Izzy.” Mira gave me a speculative look. “I warned you. She’s headstrong and?—”
“I can handle myErosita,” I interjected. “She’s naked and locked in my closet. Her brother won’t be able to reach her.” I refocused on Michael. “Work with the communications team to fix this and contact me as soon as it’s done.”
“Yes, my liege.” He bowed low before slipping out of the room without another word.
“Meanwhile, I’ll go deliver a much-needed lesson to myErosita,” I added, a hint of a growl touching my words.
Because if this was Damien’s doing, I’d be ensuring his sister paid for his interference.
You had better be awake when I get back to my room, Ismerelda,I thought at her.
Not that she could hear me. I had our mental connection locked down.
But that didn’t stop me from adding,I’m hungry and annoyed. And you exist for one reason—to serve me.Prepare to bleed.
CHAPTER TWO
IZZY
Cold.
Dark.
Cam…
I shivered.
Why am I…? Where…? How did I…?
I groaned, my head pounding from the influx of broken questions. Everything felt…wrong.
What’s…?
My fingers curled on a shock of pain, my arms too heavy to lift. I wasn’t even sure what I’d intended to do. Palm my head? Massage my temples?
Ugh.
I attempted to pull my knees to my chest, but my limbs barely moved.So dizzy, I thought, a whimper escaping my throat.Why do I…?
A flinch ricocheted down my spine.Cam…Is something…? No. No, he’s okay. Mira said…
My eyes flew open, only to abruptly shut on a wave of agony.Shit. I winced, my insides echoing in a scream of pain.What…?
Cam…
No.
I’m going in circles. Except I’m not. Just dizzy. Delirious?
I swallowed and winced again.So dry.
I feel like… like… like death…
My eyes opened again, causing another shock of sensation to flood my senses. I pushed through it, forcing myself to shove off the deep end of this ocean of agony and upward into the fresh, dark air.
I inhaled sharply, shooting spasms to my lungs and causing my heart to fly in a chaotic rhythm.
Death,I thought again.I…
