My eyes widened.
With each step to the Round Tableau, blood rushed past my ears. I shouted for help until my throat seized and my voice cracked. Gasping with each inhale, I screamed bloody murder as he pulled me up the stairs to the wooden doors.
I didn’t know if I was overreacting, if Ben really had brought me here for an approved session, but I didn’t care. He’d creeped me out from day one, and the risk of him using his time to teach me a lesson was too great.
I needed to get away from him.
But the Round Tableau doors slammed shut behind us.
Fear corroded my insides. And when Ben whispered in my ear, my gut roiled and I tasted bile in the back of my throat.
“Sorry. But you’ve become a problem for the wrong people,pretty Maiden.”
I froze, my arms going limp in his hold.
When I flattened my hand against my thighs, I drew in a shaky breath at my first sign of hope.
Eyes darting around the entryway, I scanned my surroundings. With a new plan to get away, I stopped fighting and took in everything I might be able to use if—whenI got away from him.
My gaze snagged on the statue, hiding in the alcove where Max had appeared the first night.
Ben pushed us forward before I looked closer. As he half carried me through the cleared-out party room, I didn’t find anything that might help me escape him.
I had one shot.
Through the side door I’d been led through at the Maiden Selection, he led me down the tunnels and to the Round Tableau rooms. I forced myself not to panic.
Not to think.
Barely recognizing my voice, I said the only thing I could.
“Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.”
“I’m not the one who wants you.” His vicious snarl came right before the searing swipe of his tongue along the shell of my ear. “Although it wouldn’t hurt to play before they arrive.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, choking down the bile rising in my throat. “You win. Alright? You win, and I should’ve left. I’ll leave. If you’ll let me go, I’ll do whatever you want.”
Teeth sank into my earlobe. I bit my tongue to stop from crying out. Blood flooded my mouth.
“You’ll do whatever I want regardless, pretty Maiden.”
He forced me inside a room, and shoved me onto the bed.
It was fitted with silk sheets.
“Turn over,” he barked.
Finally unrestrained, I slid my hand inside my pocket. Wrapping my fingers around cool metal brought a pulse of relief. I tugged the blade free. Clenching it tightly in my palm. Following his instructions.
And lying back as I swallowed my fear.
He reached for his belt buckle. “Poor girls are always wild in bed. Like you’re desperate to prove something. Eager to be worthy of what you can’t have.” His eyes gleamed, glazing over as he conjured up the memory. “You never see it, either. How pointless it is.”
Leather slid through denim belt loops in a rush. He pulled the belt free, but he didn’t toss it aside. Tightening his grip on the strap, he smirked.
I stared at him, gauging my best chance to get away. Sure of his next move, I had to act quickly.
“Scoot to the edge of the bed.”
