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Rosario grabs another one of those itchy wool blankets from the trunk, then slams and locks it. She marches past us as Chase begins getting to his feet. “You’re lucky I’m giving you this after that stunt.” Tossing the blanket on our dirty mattress, she whirls around, the taser pointed at me while her eyes are on Chase. “If you move, I’ll use this on her.”
I cling to Chase’s arm, shaking at the thought of being tased again. He remains frozen, not moving a muscle.
In a few steps, Rosario is in front of me, rope in her hands. As soon as she grabs for me, Chase swings at her. She anticipates it, stepping out of the way before shooting him with the taser again. Then she shoots me with it.
As we are writhing on the floor, I hear the dreaded combat boots coming up the stairs. As soon as I lay eyes on his boots, I begin hyperventilating. My muscles clenched tightly, fearful he’ll rape me again. Previously cold from the drafty attic, I’m now profusely sweating as my gaze slowly climbs his massive frame.
“What the hell is going on here?” Orpheus demands, looking at Chase and me lying on the dirty attic floor. His red robe flutters as he reaches down and grabs Chase by the throat. I scream, shakily getting to my knees before climbing to my feet, with the intention of kicking Orpheus to save Chase. Orpheus tosses Chase onto the mattress, then straddles him, quickly binding his wrists and ankles.
“No,” Rosario whispers into my ear. “You’ll only make things worse.”
I stop struggling, letting Rosario bind my wrists. When Orpheus stands, she pushes me onto the mattress beside Chase, quickly binding my ankles.
When she’s finished, Orpheus stands there, glowering at us. I shiver, squirming until my body is tight against Chase. My bound hands wrap around his, the position once again awkward but worth the uncomfortableness I’m feeling to touch his warm skin.
Shrinking beneath the weight of Orpheus’s gaze, I avert my eyes, unable to look at the monster in front of me. Chase murmurs words of comfort, but I don’t hear them. The buzzing inside my head drowns out all other sounds as my rapist stands in front of me.
“Rosario,” Orpheus snaps, the weight of his gaze no longer boring into me. “Why the hell were these two unbound? And why the fuck do they look clean?”
She trembles like a leaf in front of me. Her hands slide into the pocket of her dress, and she pulls out a rosary. Sliding it between her fingers, she repeatedly twists it. “I-I’m sorry, dark king. I had to clean their wounds so they wouldn’t get infected and ruin the future rituals.”
“That doesn’t explain why they were unbound.”
She stares at the floor, not speaking. Finally, she drags her eyes to his bare chest beneath the robe. “They didn’t seem to be a threat since they were in pain.”
He strides forward, gripping her face so hard she winces. “You underestimate people, Rosario. And you’re thinking again. I told you not to do that. Just carry out the instructions I provide so you don’t fuck up.” Orpheus releases her chin, nearly shoving her to the floor from the force he uses.
Rosario staggers back, slamming into a trunk, which prevents her from falling. She tries to straighten, but her heel catches on her long dress, causing her to fall to the floor.
Orpheus watches her arms folded over his chest, amusement on his face. “Get up. You need to be taught a lesson.” Heaving out an irritated sigh, a scowl on his lips, and venom in his voice. “I have an online sermon to give my followers in thirty minutes. I didn’t count on dealing with this stupid bullshit.” He glares at her, then at us. “I’ll deal with the children tomorrow.” He spins around, crimson robe swirling around his legs as he heads for the stairs.
Rosario straightens, catching my eye as she walks past with slumped shoulders. Fear swirls in her dark irises beneath the veil. “It’s better if you don’t fight,” she whispers. “It’s his favorite part.”
Her long black lace dress swishes as she hurries to the top of the stairs. She lifts her dress, revealing her high-heeled shoes and black lace stockings before gliding down the stairs. I’m amazed she moves so gracefully and stealthily in heels.
As soon as the door locks behind them, I exhale and sag against Chase, my head resting on his shoulder. He presses kisses against the top of my head, whispering that it will be okay.
We may be safe for the night, but a pang of sympathy rolls through me as I picture Rosario’s defeated expression.
Her words echo inside my head, haunting me.“It’s better if you don’t fight. It’s his favorite part.”
I can’t imagine not fighting and succumbing to the fucking devil.
29
MACKENZIE
Lying beside Chase on the dirty, foul-smelling mattress, I heave out a long sigh. “Chase?”
“Yeah, angel.”
“Thank you for telling me about your past. I know it was hard, but it really helped. Your strength is inspiring.”
“So is yours.” Chase wraps his fingers around mine, his expression somber. “I know you probably don’t want to talk about it, but what you endured in the basement of that church… I’m not sure I could’ve handled it as well as you.”
“It was scary as hell. I felt so exposed and violated. Like my body no longer belonged to me. Having an audience as my innocence was brutally stolen made it worse.”
“I’m so sorry, angel.” A shudder runs through him as he stares at me with such pain in his eyes, it slices through my chest, making me lose my breath. “What can I do?”
