His tongue darts out, tracing over the bleeding gash with a deliberate slowness that makes my stomach churn. The sensation is sickening, a grotesque mix of pain and disgust as he savors the taste of my blood. My jaw tightens against the burning trail of fire that follows, his venomous saliva seeping into my skin and flesh, boiling my blood. It’s not just a sting; it’s a searing, agonizing burn that radiates outward, setting every nerve ablaze. I bite down hard, fighting the urge to cry out, refusing to give him the satisfaction of hearing my pain. But inside, I’m screaming. The venom is relentless, corrosive, and it feels as if it’s eating me alive from the inside out.
And through it all, he’s watching me, his eyes never leaving my face as he drinks in every flicker of agony that crosses my expression. This isn’t just about feeding—it’s about power, control. And right now, he has both in the palm of his hand, relishing every second of my torment.
His fingers ease slightly on my hips, his guard lowering as he feeds, lapping up the trails of blood from the cuts he makes.
Anger simmers deep in my stomach, and with a surge of adrenaline, I lash out. I break his grip on me and swiftly wrap my legs around his neck in a tight hold. As he stands, it gives me just enough slack to unhook the chain from the ceiling. My sudden shift in weight throws him off balance, and we both crash to the ground with a bone-jarring impact that sends pain shooting up my spine.
Despite the rough landing, I cling to him, my legs locked securely around his neck. I don’t waste a second. Grabbing the chain, I quickly loop it around his throat, pulling it tight. As I release my legs, his sharp nails drag over my body, shredding my skin as he tries to escape. Adrenaline floods my system, dulling the pain. If I could just break his neck, it would give me a chance to escape or at least free myself from these chains while he’s incapacitated.
I need my magic back.
There’s a limit to how far my physical strength can take me.
Pulling harder on the chain, I let out a guttural scream, every muscle straining. I hear a loud crack as his neck breaks, and his body goes completely limp.
Exhausted, I fall backward, gasping for breath, my head swirling with dizziness. My body aches, and blood coats my flayed skin where his claws have scored me.
“Get up! Nobody is coming to save you,” I growl to myself.
I draw on what little energy remains after the struggle and quickly shove Abchanchu’s lifeless body away from my legs. Moving as fast as I can, I slide backward on my butt until I’m a good few feet away from him.
How long until he recovers?
The question echoes in my mind, gnawing at my nerves as I frantically scan the dimly lit cave. My gaze darts from shadow to shadow, searching for anything—rocks, debris, anything I can use as a weapon. I let out a deep groan as I force myself to roll over, my body protesting the intense pain. Despite my limited strength, I struggle to rise, feeling it draining away with every movement. My legs tremble fiercely, barely able to bear my weight. Hindered by the shackle around my ankle, every step becomes a challenge, but I’m determined to reach the only exit.
Suddenly, my toe collides with a jagged piece of rock protruding from the ground. A sharp pain shoots through my foot, and I stumble, a hiss escaping my lips. I hate that I can feel tears lining my eyes, my frustration mounting. I miss being able to move lightly across the ground, my mist allowing me to basically glide without injury. If I want my magic back, I need these chains off.
My attention drifts back to the vampire sprawled out on the ground, his body motionless but still radiating the faintest aura of danger.
Should I search him for the keys?
The thought alone sends a shudder through me. It means getting closer, touching him again, feeling the chill of his undead skin against mine. My heart races, and I bite down hard on my bottom lip, the coppery taste of blood filling my mouth as I weigh my options.
Cursing under my breath, I limp back toward his body, each step a painful reminder that time is not on my side. My nerves are frayed, every muscle in my body screaming at me to run and get as far away from him as possible. But I can’t leave without checking. I crouch down slowly, my fingers trembling as they hover over his pockets. I brace myself, then carefully pat down his clothes, my heart skipping a beat with each touch.
Nothing. No key.
A frustrated scream claws at my throat, but I choke it back.
I need to get out of here. Now.
The sunlight, if it’s out, is my only hope of escaping before he wakes. My mind races, and I push myself to my feet, wobbling slightly as the pain shoots through my leg again. But I grit my teeth and hobble toward the exit, praying to whatever cruel gods are out there that the sun is shining, and I have even the slightest head start.
I just have to make it outside.
I use the cave wall as my guide through the darkness. I hate this feeling of being disoriented and vulnerable. However, a soft glow emerges in the distance, casting a faint light that ignites hope within my chest, causing my heart to leap. The smell of saltwater intensifies, as does the sound of crashing waves.
“That better be an exit,” I grumble under my breath.
My heart pounds in my chest, and my blood-soaked hands tremble as I continue to slide them along the wall for support. Adrenaline still courses through my veins, heightening my senses and sharpening my focus. But with each step, the shackles dig deeper into my ankles, sending waves of pain shooting up my legs.
Up ahead, the light increases, casting flickering shadows on the cave walls. The warmth it radiates seems almost ethereal, a beacon of hope amidst the oppressive darkness.
“Go, child,”a voice whispers to me.
A voice I haven’t heard in a long time. Not since I was a young girl. Not since the day I blocked them out. It pulls at something inside me, something raw and fragile, and for a moment, I feel like that scared child again—desperate, confused, and unsure of what is real and what isn’t.
Chapter twenty
