Page 96 of Demons and Darlings


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She slapped my face again, harder this time. The taste of sharp copper spread through my mouth.

“I’ve done all of this for the future of this world, Lyra. If you can’t see that, then there’s no hope for you.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from crying out in pain. No, there was no hope for me. Not anymore.

My fun was over. My freedom was gone. Theia wasn’t letting me out of her sight this time.

And I knew I would never leave these chains again.

ChapterThirty-Three

My hope quickly dissipated. That was what had kept me sane all those times before: the lack of hope. Accepting my fate. Accepting that I wasn’t getting out of there.

The first few days, though, I had to admit. That tiny, relentless feeling that maybe, just maybe, Alek would come for me was the most torturous.

Not the chains. Not the cement floor or the ongoing attacks from my mother.

Hope.

Alek visited my dreams the first night. He pulled me from the basement, breaking away each of my chains as he held me close to him.You’re safe now,he had said.I won’t let anyone hurt you.

That one hurt the most to wake up from.

I lost track of what day it was. I lost track of how many times my mother attempted to bring me food, or how many times the sun set beyond the tiny window.

After a while, I stopped caring.

Theia was right. I was going to rot.

Was it worth it? Was the risk worth the possibility of being caught, of being chained up again?

My memories raced through everything that had happened over the last few weeks. Alek’s lips against mine caused me to smile each time I relived the moment. I had never known it would feel so good to have the affection of someone else.

Even if it was fake. Even if it were merely part of a deal.

We had been playing part in a wicked, wicked game. I had risked more over the last few weeks than I ever had in my life. But in all honesty, I didn’t have anything to lose. What was the risk if there was no leverage? It’s not like Theia was pulling me away from a life. It’s not like she was taking something away from me that I wished I had.

I had no future. I had no life. One purpose, she would say. I had one purpose, and that was to keep my blood hidden until it was needed.

So, I supposed it was worth it. The risk of the last few weeks… at least I had lived, even if just for a moment. I had held Alek’s hand and run in the wild, away from danger. Away from our enemies. I had fought and cried and laughed.

Yes, it was all worth it.

My mind drifted in and out of consciousness. I didn’t mind it. I preferred being asleep, anyway. At least when I was asleep, I had the chance of running into him again. At reliving some of those few, precious moments together.

I had the chance to taste freedom, even if it wasn’t real.

The morning sun began filtering through that tiny, filthy window across the room. I stared at it, watching each small shred of light grow brighter and brighter.

It wasn’t until a few moments later that I saw a figure blocking those tiny shreds.

I blinked. Was I dreaming again?

I blinked again. The sound of movement from outside caused me to sit up straight. No, I was definitely not dreaming.

And someone was outside that window.

For the first time in days, my heart began beating faster.

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