Nila!
That was it. I couldn’t heal any longer. My body had rested long enough. I was done with this fucking place.
Swinging my legs over the bed, I leapt to my feet. I didn’t give in to the gushing pain. I didn’t let my body rule me.
I’m done. I’m ending this.
“Spit it out, Jaz. Right fucking now.”
I needed to leave. I was strong enough to kill Cut and steal Nila away.
Jasmine sniffed loudly.
“Talk to me!”
Tears immediately sprung into her voice. “I—I tried, Jet. I did my best.”
My blood turned to sleet. “What did they do to her?”
Not the Third Debt. Fuck, if they touched her—!
Jaz’s voice was water and grief. “They lied to me. They told me I would be present at every punishment. I found out today that wasn’t true.”
“What punishments, Jaz?” The room closed in. My heart rate exploded. “What have they done?”
“Bonnie had the elevator blocked for maintenance. I couldn’t get downstairs, Jet. I—” A loud sob escaped her.
Fuck this.
“What did theydo?! Is she alive? For fuck’s sake, talk to me!”
“They’ve been tormenting her, Kite. I’m so sorry! So sorry.”
I had no winter clothing. Nothing to change from the sweatpants and t-shirt I’d been given. I didn’t care.
I’d run buck-fucking-naked to Hawksridge if I had to.
“Get Flaw here, now. Have him bring clothing and supplies. I want him here in an hour. Do you hear me?”
She sucked back a sob. “I’ll—I’ll tell him. Kite...they’ve been using the old equipment. They used it on Elisa in those pictures. You know?”
I froze to the linoleum. “What the fuck did they use?”
Jaz went quiet.
“What did they use, Jasmine?!”
“The Iron Chair, the Scold’s Bridle, the Scavenger’s Daughter.” She cried again. “I’m so sorry, Jethro. I was there for most of them. I did my best to comfort and support her. But I couldn’t say no. I couldn’t run the risk of them knowing you’re—” More tears.
Conflicted emotions ran through me. I hated that she couldn’t save Nila. But I understood at the same time. It was too much to ask from my crippledsister. Too much for anyone living in that insane asylum.
My soul sank further. “What else, Jaz?”
Her voice shook. “Tonight...they hurt her. I tried to stop it, but I couldn’t. I didn’t even know until it was too late.”
My heart shattered. “Tonight. Fuck, Jaz. What happened tonight?”
She sniffed loudly. “They used the Heretic’s Fork. She...slipped.”
