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A bone.
Whether, or not, it’s human, I can’t tell, but I toss it away from me.
The Rager scampers out of the shadows on a growl, and I suck in a gasp at the sight of him again.
It gathers up the bone from the center of the room and retreats to the shadows once more.
Pulling my knees in tight, I sit against the wall, wondering how long it’ll take before the monster becomes bold enough to scramble for me again. Will I wake in the middle of a dead sleep to find it feasting on me? Or worse?
* * *
The sound of growls rouses me from the blackness, and I open my eyes to find the world tipped on its side from where I lie against the concrete. Memories filter in. Agatha. Will. Titus. Being dragged to the Rager’s cell.
I suck in a breath, jolting upright. I don’t even remember falling asleep.
I scan the room for any sign of the Rager and find a mangled body half in and out of the shadows across the room from me. The way the tips of its fingers dangle over the bare feet tell me the monster is crouched, watching me. Perhaps it’s watched me all night. I look down at myself, searching for any sign of bites, or violation, but find nothing. No evidence that it has moved from its corner.
Blowing out a shaky breath, I wipe the sleep from my eyes, and roll my shoulders, keeping my attention focused, but my thoughts wander to Will and the harrowing silence after Titus broke his neck. As tears mist my eyes again, I make a silent vow.
If I survive this, if I escape this cell alive, I will kill Titus myself.
No matter the cost.
Chapter 21
The sound of whispers steals my attention from where I’ve watched the Rager remain crouched. Must be hours now, I have no idea. The light never changes in this room. Never gives any indication of minute, or hour, or day.
From the small window of the door, I can make out Tom’s eyes staring in on me.
“You still in there, Thalia?”
Urgency beats inside of me, a sense of relief washing over me. “Yes, I’m still here!” Keeping my eyes on the monster, I push to my feet and slide against the wall toward the door. “Please, get me out of here, Tom.”
“They took my keys. I can’t open the damn door. But I’m … I’m gonna go get Agatha.”
“No!” I lurch closer, careful not to incite the hiding Rager. “She’s the one who put me in here!”
“That thing ain’t touched you? Hasn’t hurt you, at all?”
“No. It stays on the other side of the room, for some reason. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Well, just hang in there, okay? I’m gonna see what I can do to get you out of there.”
“Please hurry. I don’t know how much longer it’ll keep its distance.”
“Sit tight. I’m gonna do everything I can.”
* * *
Nearly an hour must pass before Tom returns with the guards who shoved me inside this cell.
Frowning, I stare up at where their faces peer on me through the small window.
“You see?” Tom says from somewhere beyond their prying gazes. “She is the Chosen. She lives! Remus will have all your asses when he returns!”
“Agatha demanded that we put her in there.”
“Bring Agatha, then! Show her that this girl is worthy of mercy!”
