AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My first thought is that if we’re in a cabin, we must not be close to anything else. Caleb brought us to this place, whatever it is, because it’s secluded.
“How are you feeling?” Raven asks. “You were out for a long time. I was getting worried.”
I part my dry lips, forcing words from my raw throat. “I think I’m okay. Are you both alright?”
My eyes move over her and Bec, taking in the bindings on their wrists and ankles. I have them too, and mine are so tight this time that they’re cutting off my circulation. We’re all on the floor, our backs propped against the wall. Raven has a few bruises that are starting to darken on her face, but Bec appears to be okay, apart from the terror in her eyes.
“I’m okay,” Raven assures me.
“Me too,” Bec answers softly.
“I’m sorry.” I nearly choke on the words. “This is all my fault.”
“Stop it.” Raven sits up straighter, steeling herself. “You couldn’t control this any more than I could.”
“My brothers will come for us,” Bec says. “They have to.”
I nod but can’t meet her gaze. Truthfully, I don’t have that same hope. I don’t know how they’d even find us in time. If they did, the only comfort I can take is that at least Raven and Bec would be okay. But no matter what, I’m a dead woman walking. I don’t know what’s worse: the thought of Caleb bleeding the life from me or having to look into Azrael’s eyes as he does it.
Shaking off those thoughts, I peer around the room again, looking for something to help us.
“Do you know where we are?” I ask the girls.
“We’re in some kind of compound near a bayou,” Raven answers. “There’s a bunch of little cabins just like this one and then one big building. A church or something, probably.”
I don’t have to guess what’s in that building. The Disciples like to baptize their victims for some bizarre reason that only makes sense to them, considering that they murder them afterward. If it isn’t a baptism we’ll be subjected to, it’s an exorcism. Either way, it’s not going to end well.
“Where did he go?” I ask. “How long have they been gone?”
“The older man, Frederik, came in with Caleb and made sure we were secure,” Raven explains. “Then they went outside, and we could hear them arguing. They said something about having a meeting. But there’s still a man out front. He’s been opening the door periodically to check on us.”
I nod as she leaves the rest unsaid. They’re having a meeting to decide our fates. A moment of silence passes as I scan the room, searching for something to cut the ropes with, but there doesn’t appear to be much.
“I already looked,” Raven tells me. “They removed anything sharp before they left us here.”
“Well, we can’t give up. Let’s try backing up against each other. Bec can guide us.”
Raven shifts, and we scoot around until we’re back to back. The only problem is my bindings are so tight that my fingers are numb, and I don’t have enough dexterity to guide my movements.
“You’ll have to go first,” I tell Raven. “And then I can do yours.”
Bec leans forward to help, and it seems she has regained some strength since we left the house. Her complexion isn’t as pale, and her body is not as weak. It’s a relief, but I can’t dwell on it for too long because none of that matters if we can’t get out of here.
“It’s that piece,” Bec guides Raven verbally. “The one between your thumbs.”
“I’m too far away,” Raven grumbles, scooting back even further.
As she does, boots echo off the stairs outside, and we all freeze. There isn’t time to hide what we’re doing because the door crashes open a second before Caleb’s frame fills the space.
The first thing I notice is that he’s got a split lip, but that isn’t all. There’s fresh blood on his hands, and he looks boiling mad.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he snarls.
I open my mouth, trying to conjure up an answer, but he obviously doesn’t care to hear one. He reaches me in three long strides, snatching me by my hair and forcing me upright.
“Caleb.” His name leaves my lips on a desperate plea.
“You’ve been nothing but trouble for me.” He lets go of my hair and grabs me by the arm. “And now you’re going to make up for it.”
He drags me over to the bed, shoves me on top of it, then returns to where Raven and Bec are sitting.
“What are you doing?” Raven thrashes in his grasp as he pulls her up.
“Shut up, bitch. Or I’ll start cutting pieces off of you right now.”
“Leave her alone!” I scream, trying and failing to get to her. I only manage to fall, smashing my knees, then my face against the floor.
