Page 96 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“You think I care about your virginity? Aidan did me a favor when he fucked you. Now you’re broken in, and you can enjoy it.”

I kick out, thrashing against the wall to get away from his touch. He finally releases me. I fall to the ground gasping.

“Get up,” Samael yells while kicking me in the side. His foot hits my stitches, and I cry out. Chepi lunges for him, and I grab his scruff, pulling him back.

“Get away from her, you sick fuck! You can’t even find a woman of your own. You have to molest your sister. You’re sick in the head, Samael. Deranged.” Nyx thrashes against the bars next to us, but it does nothing. Samael moves his leg back to kick me again, but the loud screech of the door stops him.

“Ahh, finally.” He steps out of my cell as the two guards return. There’s one on either side of Athalda.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“Perfect timing. My sweet Lyra, this is who you have to thank for our lovely reunion.” Samael winks at me and nods his head to Athalda.

“How could you?” I spit out, getting to my feet. My voice is full of disdain.

“You don’t understand. I didn’t know, Lyra. Everything I told you is true. I promise,” Athalda says quickly before Samael cuts her off.

“Enough.” He waves his hand, and the guards hit Athalda over the back, knocking her onto her hands and knees.

“Stop! Leave her alone,” I holler at Samael. I may hate Athalda right now for getting us into this mess, but she’s the only family I have left, and I don’t like seeing her being beaten on the ground.

“Oh, dear sister, that heart of yours. This woman betrayed you, and you wish to defend her?”

“Yes, I do.” I stand up a little taller and face him.

Samael lets out a loud laugh. It sounds more like a cackle. “Get up.”

Athalda slowly gets to her feet, and I see her knees are bloody.

“All she has to do is drink Lamia blood and the bridge will be opened?” Samael asks, facing Athalda.

“Yes,” Athalda mutters.

“Why are you doing this? Why are you helping him?”

She looks at me, finally meeting my gaze, and I get that strange feeling again. It’s the same one I had when she looked at me right before going through the portal. What does it mean? Is it my magic? Is she trying to tell me something . . .

“Are you starting all the fun without me, my king?” Citlali’s voice pulls me from my trance. I don’t even remember hearing her come down here.

“You’re the star of the show. How could we start without you?” Samael’s honeyed tone makes me sick. I wonder what the relationship is between these two. I’ve never seen Citlali before today, but her voice— she has to be the one I heard in Samael’s chambers before, the one helping him hunt grimoires. I wonder if she’s acting alone or if all the Lamia are aligned with Samael.

“Now for the main attraction . . . Lyra, my sweet.” Samael comes back into my cell, and I back up to the wall, bracing myself.

“Don’t make this any harder on yourself. If you’re a good girl, I'll bring you to my bed chamber tonight.” He reaches to touch my jaw, and I spit on his hand.

“Don’t touch me. You’re sick.”

His eye twitches, and his jaw ticks. It’s the only give away that he’s upset. His voice remains honeyed as usual.

“Tsk, tsk, baby sister, your Faery has been a bad influence on you. That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.” Samael clicks his tongue then punches me hard. Everything goes black.

I come to, gasping when one of the guards pours cold water over my head.

“Ah, so glad you're back,” Samael coos.

I’m in a different room now. I whip my head side to side, but I don’t see Nyx or Chepi. They must still be in the cells. My wrists and ankles are restrained against the wall, forcing my hands to dangle over my head. This room looks like the other parts of the dungeon, but this must be where he brings prisoners to torture . . . great. There’s a wall full of weapons to my right. Athalda stands next to a guard toward the back of the room across from me, and Samael and Citlali are whispering in the corner. I find Athalda’s black eyes and stare daggers back at her.

My wrists are rubbed raw from scraping against the bristly rope. My head is pounding, and I can only imagine what damage that punch did to my face earlier.