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Torrin snorts in amusement and glee, even as Bram sighs, curling tighter into himself as he copies my position. Kitt paces as much as his tube will allow, partially changed. I’m betting he’s not happy. It’s clear he hates her more than he hates me. Surprising, really.

“Nothing? Okay, then why is she after you?” I look around. “You were here before?”

“We were her experiments, her pets,” Kitt hisses before silencing himself.

“Always will be,” Bram whispers. “I knew we would never truly be free.”

“Silence,” Kitt mutters, and his gaze lifts. I follow it to the ceiling. I don’t see anything, but clearly he thinks she is watching and listening.

One thing is for sure, though. I now know why they hate the idea of being tied to someone again—her.

Time is surprisingly boring in this prison. It’s very different from Gehenna, but at least I could move about there. No wonder the other monsters here are silent and empty, undoubtedly crazed by their time.

“How long did she have you here?”

“Most since birth,” she calls and stops before me. I don’t bother getting to my feet. I just watch her. “I found Emrys after, the same with my little scorpion. I do apologise for the interruption, but business is a must in this industry.”

“And what industry is that?”

“Collecting, of course. I only like rare specimens. I keep one of each, but I sell off duplicates to other investors and collectors, keeping only the best for myself. It remains to be seen if I shall keep you. Let us continue our conversation from earlier, shall we? What are you?”

When I don’t answer, she clicks. The top of the tube is removed, and that metal hand grabs me, hauling me out and forcing me on my knees in front of her. I struggle to test its strength, but I cannot budge it. It’s too strong to break. Her cane tilts my chin up until I stare at her, then she replaces it with her hand. “If you don’t speak, I will have to start with my specimens there. Mating affects your emotions, I am told. If I hurt them, will it hurt you? You might be strong, pretty one, but are they as strong as you?”

The idea of her touching a hair on their heads combined with the whine Bram lets out sends anger flooding through me. She is responsible for their misery and pain, and unlike them, she’s right in front of me. I don’t even think, just act. Turning my head, I sink my teeth into her hand until I hit bone, her blood bursting into my mouth as she screams and jerks back, taking her hand with her, but she leaves a chunk of skin in my mouth.

Grinning, I spit it out at her feet, knowing my teeth and mouth are coated in her blood. “Strong? You don’t know strong. Look at you, bleeding and weak,” I taunt as I spit another mouthful of her blood and grin. Her face contorts in anger and pain as she grips her bleeding hand, her nostrils flaring.

Grabbing my head, she grips my chin. “Hold her,” she commands. “Pets that bite lose the privilege of having teeth,” she hisses as metal clamps around my face, forcing my jaw open.

“No, wait!”

“Let us pay!”

Their voices blend together with protests and pleas, but she ignores them, glowering down at me as she meticulously starts to pull my teeth one by one. Agony fills me as my blood coats my mouth. I choke on it before I breathe through my nose, but I don’t give her the satisfaction of hearing my pain escape.

I stare into her eyes until she steps back, holding my teeth and shaking them. “Let’s see if you’re so strong now.”

The metal releases me, and I hang my head, waiting. When she comes close again, I jerk my head up and spray my blood across her face, laughing as she stumbles back with a yelp. I’m still laughing as I’m tossed back into my tube prison, watching her wipe her face as she flees.

My mouth hurts like a son of a bitch, but that was so worth it.

CHAPTER

THIRTY

Pressing close to the glass, I make sure the collector is gone, then I tap on it, trying to get Ferol’s attention. She leans back into the glass again, rubbing her swollen jaw. I can feel her pain despite her efforts to pretend she’s fine, and it ricochets through us all.

“Are you okay?”

“Peachy,” she replies, glancing back at us.

Her voice is raspy with a slight lisp and strange thanks to her no longer having teeth.

“I bet it would make blowjobs easier,” Raiden quips, making her laugh before she groans, working her jaw.

“You shouldn’t antagonise her,” I mutter as I sink to my knees. “She’ll make it a lot worse for you.”

“Kitt, she’s going to either way. That’s what people like her do. Didn’t you notice? She wants to see pain and suffering, so if I get a little joy out of this, then so be it.” Ferol shrugs, wincing.