Page 12 of The Death King

The guards all looked at me then turned to him.

That smile was long gone. “Then I guess I better make sure you don’t cross paths.” He nodded to the men again.

I threw up my elbow and fought back. “Don’t do this! This isn’t fair!”

“Life isn’t fair, sweetheart.” He turned back to the desk. “Get used to it.”

I shoved them off again. “Please…please let me go.”

He dropped back into the chair and picked up the missive as if he didn’t hear me.

“Titan!”

They started to drag me to the doorway.

I had to fight tooth and nail to stay in the room. In a flash across my mind, I knew there was no scenario where General Titan released me. His obsession was permanent, like scar tissue. That sweet taste of freedom had quickly turned sour on my tongue. Unless I killed all the guards or snuck across the desert and evaded capture, I would always remain here. “At least let someone else go in my place.” If I couldn’t get out of here, then someone else should. And I knew who that person should be. “That’s only fair.”

General Titan lifted his chin to look at me.

“A black diamond for someone’s freedom. Honor it.”

He sat back in the chair for a moment before he released a sigh. “Let me guess…your little friend Amelia.”

He watched me far closer than I realized. “Please.”

He studied me for a moment longer before he rose from his chair again. He came closer, every step growing louder as he drew near. “Leave us.”

The guard released my arm and walked out. The other left too. The door closed seconds later. Now, it was just the two of us—and I felt far less safe.

He stopped directly before me. “I’ll grant your request. But I want something in return.”

“I’ve given you a black diamond?—”

“You’ve given your king a black diamond. I want a gift as well.”

Bile flooded my mouth.

“Tell me you love me.”

What in the actual fuck? “You’re a sick fuck?—”

“Tell me, or she stays.”

“You know I despise you?—”

“Then make it believable.”

“Fuck you?—”

“Last chance.” He raised his voice slightly. “Look me in the eye and say it like you fucking mean it—or no deal.”

The horror burned into my brain. It flared everywhere, third-degree burns from the surface of the sun. He’d taken my body and my pride, but he’d never taken my dignity, and he was about to change that.

His eyes bored into mine, waiting for my obedience.

It was physically painful just to consider it. I could keep my dignity and return to the pit. When Amelia asked what happened, I would tell her that General Titan refused to let me go. I didn’t have to tell her I’d forfeited her freedom. She would never know. And if she left, I would lose my only friend here. No one wanted to get near me when they knew General Titan had me under his watchful eye.

But I couldn’t do that to her.

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