“Today, we're going to try something different to get you to talk,” Beaumont snarled, running a crooked finger along the bump of my throat.
Not gonna work.
“Can’t wait,” I hissed, using whatever energy I had left to vocalize the snide remark.
Beaumont clicked his freshly shaven jaw. “Walk with me.”
“I suppose I could use a change of scenery,” my throat rasped.
With each agonizing step, my ankle cracked. The bone bent and shifted in a way that sent a shock to my nerves and a radiating sting up my calf.
I didn’t let Bitchmont see the pain I was in. Instead, I fought my brain with each step, coercing it into allowing my body motion.
We climbed a set of stairs—which was absolutely fucking brutal—then entered a corridor that I didn’t recall taking when they had brought me to the dungeon.
I took note of my surroundings, searching for a way out should there ever be an opportunity to escape, though I doubted the chance would present itself.
The guard dragged me into a cramped, stone-walled room. It wasn’t much better than my cell, but this one at least had a bed and a toilet.
“This could be your new home, if you cooperate,” Beaumont gestured around the dim space as if it were a luxury inn.
That wouldn't happen. A bed could never be worth putting her in harm's way, so I’d be seeing my cell again soon enough.
In the middle of the room there was a chair messily welded to the floor. The guard shoved me down and used chains to restrain my wrists to the armrests. Seeing as the chains were coated in dried, cracking blood, I had a feeling these were the same ones that had been tearing my back open all week.
“Your friends haven’t tried to come for you yet, in case you were wondering.” Beaumont marched back and forth in front of me. “I thought for sure by now that they would have tried, but I haven’t heard so much as a peep out there. Turns out, they killed the soldier I sent with them, too. His rotting corpse was found in the woods just a mile from here.” He shook his head and shrugged. “I should have known.”
The partially healed wound on my lip split back open with my smirk. I knew they would keep her safe over me. Good. I wouldn’t have to kick their asses when I got out of here.
I licked blood from the corner of my mouth. “You would have needed to send your entire army if you wanted to control them.”
Beaumont crouched in front of me with a wicked smirk. “I’ll be honest, your mental stability is greater than I anticipated. I expected to break you days ago, but here we are.”
“Here we are.” A forced smile masked my apprehension.
“Unfortunately for you, Sebastian, I have some news to deliver that you surely won't like.”
My pulse quickened, though my face remained entirely static.
“I know where she is,” he hissed, a cruel, slimy grin upturning the corners of his mouth. “I know where you have all been hiding and I have an army prepared to storm in if you don’t start cooperating.”
For a brief moment, I almost believed him. But I knew better. He was lying—there was no way he already knew of Lumosia. Ifhe did, he wouldn't need me to cooperate, and I would already be dead.
“I think you're forgetting that I am one of the most gifted soldiers in the empire.” My response was hardly more than a snarl. “I haveyearsof experience in interrogation and deception tactics. I can see right through your bullshit.”
Ignoring my claim, Beaumont straightened his knees. “Confirm my suspicions about where your friends are hiding, and I will allow you to stay in this room. Then, when I have Maeve under my control, I will allow you to see her once before I contain her.”
He was bluffing. He didn't know where they were. I just had to fight my own mind—disregard his claims and not give in.
They were just lies.
Lies. Lies. Lies.
“Okay, let’s sweeten the deal. I’ll even allow you to fuck her one more time before you never get to see her tits again.”
My brows sank so far into my eyes that I could hardly see. How dare he eventhinkabout her in that manner.
“I bet she’s a good fuck, isn’t she? With those curves and that ass.”
