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“You see, girl, when you are about to ascend, you can’t leave anything to chance. Trusting others can be problematic unless they are sincere.”
“Chase is the most trustworthy, sincere person I know.”Normal breaths, Kenz. You’re fine.“He’s not a liar.”
“That remains to be seen, girl.” He flashes me a malevolent smile, his hands behind his back as he strides back and forth. “My inner circle isn’t showing the kind of loyalty I demand. Let’s see if he can do better.”
“What is happening?” I stare at him, wide-eyed, dread filling every cell of my body.
He simply smiles. “You’ll see.”
I’m not sure how much time has passed, but it feels like it’s been forever. My hair sticks to my forehead and the back of my neck uncomfortably from the sweat coursing down my body. My breathing is shallow as I close my eyes, pretending I’m lying in Chase’s arms instead of one minute away from hyperventilating into the worst panic attack I’ve ever had.
A loud pounding from the bookcase hits my ears, making my eyes fly open. Chase screams my name, the agony in his voice palpable. Hope blossoms inside my chest as a smile covers my lips.
Curling my hands into fists, I beat against the glass. “Chase. I’m here.”
“Mackenzie,” he screams as though he hasn’t heard me. “Where are you?”
I pound harder, my body shaking. “Chase.Chase, I’m in here.”
The pounding is louder before the bookshelf tilts like a passageway to another world. It’s like something I’d only seen in movies and cartoons.
My breath stutters in my chest as Chase appears, his eyes wide and frantic, wearing only a pair of jeans. His muscles strain against his skin, his hands curled into fists.
I’m so relieved to see him that I forgot I’m in this stupid fucking box. My heart pounds, knowing I’m safe now.
“Oh, good. You’re here.” Orpheus’s smug voice drains all sense of hope and happiness from my body.
Chase stares at me, pure terror in his eyes. I’ve never seen him look like that and it scares the hell out of me.
“K-Kenz,” he chokes out before the top opens. Cooler air from the room rushes in, offering a reprieve to my overheated skin. I look up, then freeze as I see the large bucket tilting.
Their hairy bodies pelt against me, one after the other. I scream, my worst fears filling the box around me, eight legs and gruesome round bodies crawling over.
Fucking spiders.
I scream bloody murder, my hands flailing as they continue falling on me, crawling on my skin. The stench of my urine runs down my legs, the warmth hitting my feet.
I’m hysterical, sobbing and shaking my head as I hit and flail, uncaring if I’m hurting myself as I try to get the fucking spiders off my body.
“Get them the fuck off me,” I scream, shaking my head, trying to get them out of my hair.
I feel them everywhere, crawling on me, trying to kill me.
I’m vaguely aware of shouting and pounding that isn’t coming from me, but I can’t focus. My heart is beating so fast, I think I’m having a heart attack.
Did they bite me?
Have I been poisoned?
Am I dying?
Spots line my vision and my ears buzz. I’m being squeezed, and I can’t tell where it’s coming from.
Suddenly, glass shatters around me, some of it cutting into my skin. Cool air hits me before I hear his voice. Strong hands grab me, pulling me from the box.
“Kenz. Jesus, angel, focus.” He smooths my hair back from my face. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”
But my body and thoughts are two separate things as I wearily stare at him, still gasping for breath.
