Minutes go by in silence. Sin slowly starts to look uncomfortable as he realizes I’m not getting back up. The tears threatening to spill from my eyes are probably not making this less awkward for him.
I make a mental note that emotions make my kidnapper uncomfortable.
Do we have that in common?
Yes.
Do I plan on storing that information away for later use?
Absolutely.
I might be a trainwreck, but if I’m going down, I’m dragging everyone responsible for the last week of my life with me.
Sin clears his throat before heading towards the door. “You should get more rest. Your body is weak and still hasn’t recovered from the realm jump.”
The red glow in his tattoos has completely faded, leaving only black swirling ink.
I don’t move from the floor or even bother responding. I think not having an uncollared Destroyer in my room bodes a bit better for my survival. Not much, but a bit.
Sin pauses at my door to look back at me. He opens his mouth like he wants to say something but shakes his head and closes the door behind him.
His footsteps echo down the hall, but I stay rooted to the floor, still not trusting my legs.
I’m free of the bond’s influence.
I’m free of Leon.
A tear finally slides down my cheek, and I hug my knees tightly – as if the action will help me to hold myself together.
The room is silent, and without any distractions, the twisted parts of my emotions grow louder. It’s horrible for me to feel so relieved at being separated from Leon. The man is literally my destiny and loves me more than anyone ever has. More than I’ve ever deserved.
I knew I was broken.
So broken that I can’t accept whatever version of love he has for me. So broken that I can’t find it in me to trust him with his own power. So broken that I can’t adapt to his culture.
The last thought has me swallowing a lump in my throat. There is so much wrong with what I saw in theOtherworld. Souls pushed into slavery, Leon wanting me to be subservient to him.
I couldn’t do it.
I still can’t do it. And given Leon’s violent outburst at my pushback… My body shudders.
I don’t think I’m safe with Leon. He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
But if Leon can’t enter the Shadow Realm, then maybe I have more options than I’d initially thought.
Zero. That’s how many options I had before.
But now, my luck might be changing from completely non-existent to only morbidly abysmal.
I can work with that.
I think back to my brief visit to the Otherworld. I saw very little of the realm, but what I did see hinted that it was vast. I know my own realm is huge, too. A girl could get lost in a place like that. And with no bond to tie me back to anyone here, maybe this is the opportunity I’ve been looking for.
But if I’m going to take this chance, I can’t hide away in this room, waiting to see what the enemy will do to me.
Sin didn’t explain why he kidnapped me.
My heart drops as I connect the dots. He’s probably just holding on to me to make a trade with Leon.
