“Trey…”
“I said come.” But Sera still stood dormant. “I said you would come willingly to me, child. Perhaps we should sew your fertile grounds in front of him. Wives. Take her limbs. Bind her to the alter.”
“You all hear your leader, right? He’s a murderer and a rapist. You’re all just going to help him, huh?”
“Quiet. You saw the holy water, what it did. Everything he speaks is to twist you against your faith, remain with your prayers.”
“Oh? Try some yourself then. Dip your finger in that vial and polish it off like a good boy.”
“Be. Silent.” I snort and spit, it lands on his robe. His sneer deepens.
“I will teach you a lesson about those with power, Mr. Baker.”
I grin, blood running down my jaw, my head pounding.
“You want to show me something about power? I guess you should giddy-up and get on this dick thenGideon. I bet your real name is Dave or something bland. You alright, Dave? How you gettin' on, Dave?”
“You will not have much to say when we have removed your tongue, boy.”
“Nah, but I’ll mumble at you real bad.”
“Wives, now.” They stand from the prayers and walk over to Sera. She tries to fight them off, but moves slowly, sluggish, whatever cocktail they gave her, messing with her senses.
“Dove. Fight, Dove.”
“Perhaps you will beg for her?” Gideon grins. I strain again, feeling my skin start to tear, my arms aching from the unnaturalangle I am being suspended in. Sera screams, lashing out. The wives struggle to hold her back. Arms swing, elbows jab, teeth bite. They strike her. Once. Twice. But she keeps fighting. My heart hammers, thudding so hard it feels like it might tear out of my chest.
“Gideon. Stop. What are you doing? You’re hurting her.”
“She deserves correction.” He reaches out a hand and she doubles her efforts. With a cluck of his tongue, he rolls his eyes.
“Take her, and have her given more blessed serenity, she will learn in time where her place is. Prepare the brands.”
“I’m going to fucking kill you.” I fume, almost foaming at the mouth. The pain and hatred the only thing keeping me conscious.
Gideon’s fist slams into my face. The chains rattle, teeth grind, and my head snaps back. Pain flares, but I don’t let it stop me. I laugh—raw, defiant.
“Look at you,” I rasp, leaning as far forward as these chains allow, “only able to hit me while I’m chained. How proud you must be. Howembarrassedyour precious wives must be—watching their holy man prove just how weak he really is.”
Gideon’s chest rises and falls violently.
I grin, blood trickling from my lip. “Go on. Do it again. Show them all how righteous you are. In fact, get your little cock out. I bet you wouldn’t even be able to perform your husbandly duties, because I do not fear you.”
For a heartbeat, I swear he might. Then he snaps, barking orders at his guards ushering them out, wives scattering in his wake.
Sera is dragged backward kicking and screaming.
“Trey!” Her voice shreds through the air, raw and terrified.
“I’ll find you, baby!”
In this life, or the next.
I roar, straining against the chains until the metal bites into my skin. “I’ll come for you!”
Her scream echoes down the hall as the door slams shut, leaving me alone in the dark, the sound of her screams still burning in my ears.
The chamber quiets until it’s just me and Gideon. He doesn’t speak at first—just watches, hatred simmering in his eyes.
