“Who did you give your pussy to, kitten?” he shouted, rising. A kick to my stomach sent me sprawling on my backside and groaning on impact. Agony bit into my bones, taking my breath, and before I could move, Master was on me, straddling my body, his weight pressing me to the floor. “You bitch!” he grunted, his hands on my neck, banging my head on the tiles repeatedly. “I’ll kill you before I let another man own you, kitten. Only I say who’s allowed to touch you. Me. No one else. You belong to me. You’re mine.”
Pain exploded in my head, white spots blinding my vision. Master’s face disappeared into blackness for a moment. The back of my head felt like it was bursting wide open, the hands on my throat grew tighter, harder, stealing my air.
Exhaustion winded my body, and just before I gave in, beautiful blue eyes called to me.
Mama
“Breathe, baby,”she whispered.“Your prince is coming. Breathe, baby.”
I listened. Clawing at his hands, I dug my short nails into his skin. My legs thrashed, kicked out, and trembled, but I had no effect on him. His face twisted in rage, his dark pupils dilated, his teeth bared like the ugly stepmother, his fingers squeezed.
Just as emptiness took over, leaving only a slit of light peeking between my heavy lids, three things registered—my hands falling to the floor, his grip loosening, and his weight lifting off me.
“What the fuck, Luke!” I heard Master shout. My body, too tired to fight its powerful color anymore, I gave in fully to the welcome blackness.
Chapter 8 – Cinder
“Wake up, Sixty Six.”
A warm voice broke through the vivid colors swirling behind my eyes. My body floated on thick white clouds that hovered over the pinks and yellows of my painted landscape. I didn’t want to open my eyes. I loved it here. It was peaceful. Happy. It made me smile.
“Wake up, girl,” the voice was firmer, demanding this time.
A slice of white light broke through my rainbow, tearing through it, piece by piece, as something tapped at my aching shoulder.
“Cinder!”
My lids flew open, realization clouding my dream, yanking me back to reality as I stared at the man kneeling beside me. Luke’s face finally took shape.
“You can speak?” I croaked, sitting up with a groan. My body felt like I’d been thrown against the wall. I knew exactly how that felt, though. This wasn’t the same. The back of my head pounded, my throat ached, and my stomach hurt. Dizziness threatened to pull the strength from my upright position. I leaned into Luke.
Allowing me to, he curled an arm around my waist. “Here, drink.” His other hand held out a plastic cup filled with water.
Thirsty, I emptied the cup and winced when I wiped my mouth and the corners burned. “You can speak?” I repeated. He nodded. “You called me Cinder?”
Luke helped me up from the floor to the mattress and crouched in front of me. “Why didn’t you run when you had the chance? You could’ve asked anyone for help at that party. Why did you make me bring you back here?” He sounded angry.
