Page 69 of Red

Irwin steps back and Darwin rubs his hands together as he walks past me. I stay down, waiting for whatever is about to happen.

A drumbeat starts somewhere behind me, with a slow thud. Then a growl shakes the room, and I twist my head, falling onto my tied wrists. A dark-brown wolf blocks the doors. He releases his claws and advances. I push myself up onto my knees and lean onto my forearms to brace.

“One,” Lunin states, and the drum rings out a loud beat.

I clench all my muscles, waiting. What does a lashing even mean?

The sound of movement comes from my right, and my back screams. So do I.

The drum picks up its pace again as heat grows inside me, and I know I need to stay calm. I try to envision cool water, but I can’t.

Claws, I realize. Lashings are from claws . . .

I look for a familiar face, but Graden just cups his mouth with his hand. Otis keeps his eyes down.

“Two.”

From the other side this time, the claws tear into my back. It’s excruciating.

“Stark!” I scream. I scream again, and tears flow without any restraint.

Where are you Pratt?

I’m breaking.

I sob harder, while the drum beat rings in my ears.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

My heart races.

I can almost hear him—You can do this, Alo. You’re not alone.

But I am. There’s no one here to save me.

I cry harder, sobbing noises escaping me.

As I pull in a breath and cool my chest to keep from turning, the drumbeats fade further away.

“Three.”

The claws dig deeper across the wounds.

I break and collapse on the restraints as a large slamming noise comes from across the room. Magic burns across me like being swept into a fire. My back spasms, and I open my eyes to find the men untying my arms and legs.

“What the fuck?” Stark’s voice booms across the room.

“Stark, you have no right to be in here.”

“She’s not a wolf. You’re killing her.”

He comes and touches my face. My body screams so loud I’m not sure how they don’t hear it. He reaches for my arms and helps me stand. I clamp his hand hard enough to bruise, and he walks me out, stepping over my dark blood.

“If she doesn’t heal, the pack will be holding a large funeral—and not for Aloka.”