Page 59 of Unhinged

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TAREN

Alice watches me as I pace around my bedroom. Her gaze an ever-present reminder of the rules I’m breaking, but tomorrow is D-Day. And I need to drown in my little bird tonight. Explore this undeniable connection that we share.

“What’s going on?” Alice asks.

I stop and look at her, as I’ve had to keep her in the dark these past two days. “The auction is tomorrow.”

“I know, and are you going to stop it?”

I nod. “Tomorrow. A day when the skies bleed crimson and the earth shivers in anticipation. A ballet of power where the pawns and kings are indistinguishable. That, little bird, is what awaits us."

Her brow furrows. "What?"

"I'm going to kill her tomorrow," I say simply.

Her jaw falls open. "Just like that."

I nod. "Just like that."

"How are you intending to explain taking me out of the cell?”

My jaw clenches. "Tomorrow is the auction where you're supposed to be sold. Ileana unwittingly requested that each of us 'break' you in."

She freezes. "Are you saying Luna and Kali are..."

I nod. "I'm afraid so. I'm sorry, little bird, there was nothing I could?—"

"Bullshit." Her jaw clenches. "Stop saying there's nothing you can do." She rushes toward me, anger in her eyes. "Help them!" She beats her fist against my chest.

I grab her wrist. "You dare command me?" I growl, yanking her closer. Her surprise is palpable, her defiance sparking a strange thrill within me. "You forget your place, Alice." Roughly, I flip her around, pressing her against the bed. "Perhaps you need a reminder."

She struggles beneath me, her futile resistance only fueling my anger. "Let me go!" she cries, her voice muffled by the mattress.

"Haven't you figured it out yet?" I snarl, my hand landing sharply against her rear. "I may intend to free you from here, but you'll never be free of me. You belong to me," I growl, unable to bring my rage out of control.

Everything I've done for her. All the work I've put in. And she's acting like a fucking brat. A brat that needs to be taught a lesson.

"I'm not your savior, Alice. I'm another monster in your nightmare."

Her cries echo in the room, a haunting melody that feeds my fury. "Stop!" she pleads, but I don't relent. Each smack is a reminder of who I am really.

My hand lands again, and she gasps, her body trembling beneath me. "Taren, please,” she whimpers. Even as she tries to hide it, her voice is laced with desire.

Her fantasy from before graces my mind.

I imagine you tearing me apart roughly while I tell you to stop, and all the while, I love every second.

My dirty little bird.

"Silence," I command, spanking her once more. “If you really want this to stop, then say the safe word.”

She shudders. “What is it?”

“Wonderland,” I say.

And then I stop, leaving gasping and trembling on the bed from my punishment. For a few moment, I take in the image of her ass red from my beatings, relishing the sight. And then I flip her over on the bed and push up her dress, finding her cunt soaking wet.

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