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28
Bronywyn
Pain radiates up my legs from the sharp rocks I’m being forced to kneel upon. Crushed granite bites into my skin, warm blood trickling from my wounds, but I will be damned if I let them see any of my anguish.
I glare up at her as all four of the immortal council members stare down at me from their seats behind a long mahogany table. “This is why I’m here, then? So you can give me some scrapes on my knees? Come on, you assholes can do better than that.”
The vampires holding me push down, and I groan. For hours now, I’ve watched them steal my friends, only to return them bloody and broken. If it weren’t for this fucking silver in my body, I would decimate this entire place.
One council member at a time.
Odette cocks her head to the side. “We’re rather curious about you. There aren’t many dark witches who manage to rid themselves of the shadow magic and still remain standing.”
“What can I say? I’m an overachiever.”
“Yes. It would seem that way. Though, based on what we’ve learned from your friends, we suspect you might not be so special after all.” Elliot snaps his fingers, and the door to my right opens. Tarnley’s limp form is dragged inside, and I yank against my hold, ignoring the pain as I try to free myself.
They drag him closer and drop him beside me. One eye cracks open, and he stares up at me. “Hey, fancy meeting you here,” he chokes out.
Tears spring to my eyes. “You come here often, then?” His left eye socket is completely crushed, his breathing ragged. My gaze drifts to the raised skin on his arm where they implanted the silver pellet that’s preventing his body from healing itself.
“Enough with the pleasantries,” Odette snaps.
I whip my gaze to her. “Why the fuck are you doing this?”
“Because part of evolving is learning from those around you. You and this vampire seem to have a very interesting connection, which we believe is the very reason you managed to remain alive once the shadow magic was ripped from you.”
“I’m going to kill you,” I tell her.
“Is this true?” she demands, ignoring my threat. “Are you bonded with this vampire?”
“I’m going to reach into your chest and rip out your still-beating heart,” I promise her. “And I will make you watch as I crush it, just as you tried to force me to watch you slaughter my mother.”
“Unlikely,” she retorts.
The vampires press down again, though this time, despite the pain, I do not wince. My anger numbing the pain. “Answer the councilwoman’s question.”
“Unlikely,” I spit back as I throw myself backward enough to grab a piece of crushed granite from the ground. Keeping it in my palm, I keep my hands closed to shield it from prying eyes.
They rip me back and shove me down further into the rocks.
“You are causing yourself and this bloodsucker unnecessary pain. We have already gotten everything we need from your friends, and we will execute them in front of you, one by one, if that’s what it takes to get the answers. Starting with the youngest Astor hunter, who, as we speak, is on her way here.”
Rainey.I don’t show my fear, though. This bitch seems to be driven by it and I’ll be damned if I give her any more of mine. “I have nothing to say to you.”
She glares down at me then glances at the others. They all share a nod in unison, and she turns back. “Then I suppose we will have to find out another way, won’t we?” She turns to the vampire holding Tarnley. “Do it.”
“With pleasure.”
“No!” I scream as the vampire blurs Tarnley up and sinks his teeth into the flesh of his throat. I twist and turn, numb from panic as I try to fight my way to him. The vampire yanks back and drops Tarnley to my side. The flesh of his throat is completely torn open, leaving blood pouring from the wound. “No, no, Tarnley,” I cry, no longer trying to shield my emotions. He gargles as he stares up at the ceiling, eyes wide open as he gasps for air.
“Tarnley!” I scream.
But he doesn’t reply.
The vampires holding me lift me and drag me the rest of the way toward him. Then the same one grabs my arm and rips me up; it takes everything to keep my fist closed around the granite, but I do. Even as he sinks his fangs into my wrist. The bite sears my blood, and I slam my fist into him, trying to break myself free, but with no luck.
“Feed him,” Odette orders as soon as the vampire drops me.
