Page 140 of Vows of Ruin

My eyes burn. Sebastian moves behind me, out of the camera's view. I feel his hand slide along my ribs, pressing into the tender places he hit earlier.

He speaks loudly, projecting for the mic. “You’ll find what’s left of him,” he says pleasantly. “If you hurry.”

Then he digs his fingers into the fresh cut he made before turning the cameras on. A blot of agony explodes through my ribs, sharp enough to tear a cry from my throat before I can stop it. Wrenley screams my name in response. It guts me.

Sebastian isn’t finished. He picks up a dagger. My dagger. Her dagger and strikes. Not full force, not lethal, just enough to make the sound that comes out of me echo through the entire chamber and out through the speakers. He cuts once, twice, and the third time, Wrenley’s voice snaps.

“SEBASTIAN! STOP! Stop—please—stop—let him go—LET HIM GO—”

Tears hit my vision before I realize they’re mine. Sebastian turns the camera toward me again, leaning in close so only I can hear him. “If you have anything you want to say to them,” he whispers sweetly. “Now would be your chance. I don’t imagine you’ll be talking much longer.”

He switches the mic to face me. And I know, this might very well be the last time they hear my voice. My throat is raw, but I force sound through it. “Don’t” I rasp.

Wrenley chokes. “Liam—”

“Don’t come in here.” I swallow blood. “Don’t… don’t you fucking dare come any closer.”

“Liam, stop,” Max says, voice breaking. “We’re not leaving you.”

“You have to,” I gasp. “He wants you here. He wants her here. He—he built this whole thing for her.”

A sob breaks through from Wrenley.

Torque speaks. “Liam—hang on—”

“Listen,” I cut in, dragging the words out like they weigh a thousand pounds. “I love you. All of you. You hear me?”

Someone curses. Someone cries. Someone whispers a prayer. I keep going before I lose consciousness entirely.

“Max,” I say, voice barely more than a breath. “You take care of our girl. You… you hold her together. You keep her safe. You’re the st-strongest man I’ve ever known.”

His breathing collapses through the speakers.

“Torque,” I whisper. “You’re my brother. Always have been. Do-don’t let this break her.”

Torque makes a wounded sound I have never heard from him.

“Riot,” I get out. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Too late,” Riot chokes out.

“Elias,” I murmur, “You get them out alive. All of them.”

My vision goes in and out, light, dark, light— “Wrecker…” My chest tightens. “Brother… listen to me.” There’s a sharp inhale through the feed. “Daisy needs you,” I rasp. “More than she knows. You… you take care of her. You keep her safe. She trusts you. Don’t let her down.”

Wrecker’s voice cracks. “Liam—don’t you fucking do this—don’t—”

I push past the pain. “You guard that kid with your life.”

A choked sound leaves him, half-sob, half-growl. “You have my word.”

I nod weakly, even though I know they can’t see it clearly.

“And Margot,” I whisper next. “Don’t le-let them fall apart…”

There’s one voice missing. One name I’ve been saving for last. I inhale, sharp and ragged, tasting metal that might be blood or might be memory.

“Wren…” my voice breaks. “Little warrior...”