A metallic clink rang out. Rin moved back from behind Cyrus just in time to see the Hunter throw a black cylindrical object in the air. It hovered, whirring, then spun out, dark rope lashing out. Something caught around Rin, tightening until she couldn’t breathe. Her arms were pinned to her sides, the rope cutting into her as she struggled.
When Rin looked up, she saw that the male Hunter was gone, and Cyrus was held captive by the ropes, too. Anger burned in his purple eyes as red dotted the air.
"Don’t make me wither you," Cyrus spat.
Why wasn’t he?Rin wondered.
A fabric suddenly pressed into Rin’s mouth. She struggled, holding her breath as a sickly sweet scent filled her lungs, burning,burning.
She barely heard Cyrus curse and scream her name before she tilted, cheek slamming against the pavement. She saw a flash of purple eyes before she knew nothing else.
Her arms hurt,stretched uncomfortably behind her as her sockets strained. Her neck hurt, too. A crick from an odd angle. Strange. She usually slept with her face pressed tightly to the pillow, hands tucked beneath her chin and legs pulled up to her chest, making herself as small as possible.
Groggily, she blinked and felt her lashes brush something thick before her. It was still dark, no matter if her eyes were open or closed.
Her head pounded fiercely, and she couldn’t help the weak moan that escaped her as she tried to move. She felt her body and realized she was sitting upright, arms locked behind her, chin digging into her chest. That explained the discomfort.
Her fingers twitched at her back, and she felt them brush something warm and familiar—fingers that had been inside her.
Rin gasped, eyes wide behind the fabric that covered them as she tried to tap Cyrus’s fingers and get his attention. Her nails scratched his palm.
"Cyrus?" she whispered quietly, then cringed, afraid the room wasn’t empty. But nothing happened, so she said his name again and again, all while tapping against his fingers.
He didn’t awaken.
She didn’t know how long she sat there, but her arms went numb, pins and needles prickling from the way they were forced back. This was too similar to when she’d been taken by Kit. What if it was him again?
Rin grew overcome by fear, hearing nothing but the uneven beats of her heart and staccato breaths.
She didn’t like this, didn’t want to be here. She was scared. She had no trouble admitting it—would do so freely, if only to be saved and have somewheresafeto go. A chest to fall into.
Her mind conjured the image of Lucien, unbidden. This time, he wasn’t the only one. She thought of Auren’s arms; they’d feel secure wrapped around her.
A heavy presence filled the room.
Atlas detested her fear.
He had to lead her out, lead her to this—all so what was going to happen next could unfold. It did not make it any easier, knowing she felt afraid because he had let this happen.
The small meeting room was utterly vacant, except for Vesperin and her incubus Soulbond.
The Celestial crouched before her, placing his palms on his knees. She wore fleece pants that he imagined would feel so soft.
He let his pinky trace over her clothed knee, and she inhaled shakily, teeth digging into her lower lip, red from the worrying her teeth had done.
"Is someone there? Hello?" Vesperin whispered gently. Her white hair was tangled around the edges of the blindfold, a strand sticking to her lips as she spoke.
Atlas felt her breath against his face, and he let his lips part, wanting her breath inside him, too. It was sweet.
With adoration, Atlas tapped against her knee, watching her shiver.
"Kit?" Her voice trembled.
The sound of footsteps echoed from beyond the doors of the room. Atlas straightened quickly, and Vesperin’s legs jerked, as if sensing him.
The door clicked, then was slowly pushed open. Atlas sank into the shadows.
Rin struggledto breathe as the footsteps approached. They were stiff, yet not as even or measured as Kit’s had been. There was a faint stumbling sound, then a clatter, as if someone had dropped something.
