Page 58 of Twisted Thorns

"Where is she?" I demand, fury propelling my voice forward like a whip. "Tell me, or bleed out here and now."

"Go to hell!" the man sneers, defiance gleaming in his eyes.

"Very well," I reply, cold as ice. And with that, I aim and pull the trigger faster than they can, the sound like a harbinger of death. I don’t allow myself to feel remorse–there is no time for such luxuries.

Chapter 30

Avalina

A shiver jolts me awake, my body stiff and cold as I struggle to make sense of the dimly lit room. Panic sets in as I realize that this is not my bedroom, and I am not alone. My heart takes off like a wild horse, pounding against my chest as I note the iron bars around me and the rope securing my hands behind my back.

Overcome by the terror rushing through my veins, my brain short circuits, my breath now coming in great, heaving gasps. Only my experience with nightmares has me automatically slowly inhaling and counting my exhales. My chest constricts and I feel like a fish on dry land, unable to breathe no matter how my lungs scream at me to do just that.

Flashes of memories slam into me of the creeps outside of the nightclub, and horror dawns, my bones shuddering in realization. They took me because of Kieran, which means I am in grave danger.

I shift against the hard, concrete floor, my short satin dress doing nothing to ward off the chill seeking into my bones. Hissing as the ropes dig into my wrists, my eyes scan the room, searching for any means of escape.

The iron bars of the cage seem to mock me, and I can't see anything past them but shadow. A single, narrow window sits high above me, taunting me with its promise of freedom. I clench my fists, feeling the desperate need to break free from this cold, suffocating place.

I know I am probably a trap or a bargaining chip for Kieran, but either way, I’m not safe, not until I get out of here and far away. Even if Kieran comes for me, which I have no doubt that he will, it doesn’t mean I will live through the ordeal.

Suddenly, I can hear footsteps above me, their steady rhythm echoing through the cold, dimly lit room. Panic surges within me like a tidal wave, threatening to sweep away any semblance of resolve I'd mustered.

Scooting backwards and pressing against the wall, my heart pounds in my ears as I try to control my frantic breathing. Time is running out.

As the footsteps make their way to me, my eyes dart about the confines of my prison, searching for anything that could be used to my advantage. The only possessions I have are the clothes on my back and the small pendant Kieran had gifted me when we first met—It seems so trivial now, a mere trinket compared to the gravity of my situation.

Something glittering near the edge of the cage bars catches my attention. I do my best to silently move closer, where I find a tiny shard of glass hidden in the shadows. My heart leaps at the discovery. It isn’t much, but it might just be enough. I wiggle around so my bound arms can grab the glass, shouting to hopefully cover the noise of my movement.

"Who's there?" I call out, feigning confidence as the footsteps stop. "What do you want from me?"

No response comes, only the creaking of a door as it opens. I swiftly snag the shard of glass, concealing it beneath my folded and bound hands as I prepare for whatever fate awaits me.

"Show yourself!" I demand, hoping my voice doesn't betray the quivering fear that threatens to overcome me. "I'm not afraid of you!"

"Is that so?" The voice is smooth and sinister, sending shivers down my spine. As the figure emerges from the shadows, I steel myself for what's to come.

Everything in me freezes at the sight of the older man, probably my father's age, with dark hair that seems to gleam red in the dim light. He walks towards me with a purposeful stride, a smirk ghosting his features as his large presence sucks up all the air in the room.

"Listen," I begin, trying to sound as calm and composed as possible. "I don't know who you are, or what you want with me, but I can assure you that I have nothing of value. Whatever it is you're after, I can't help you."

"Ah, but you see," the stranger replies, his voice tinged with amusement. "You're the one who's mistaken. You have something precious indeed — your life."

Fear seizes me in its claws again as the stranger takes a key out of his pocket and opens the door of the cage, grabbing me harshly by my bound arms. I can't stop the scream that crawls its way out of my throat. Terror overwhelms me as I'm dragged behind the man, stumbling to get my feet under me.

The stranger turns and backhands me, and I taste copper as blood blooms in my mouth. "No one here is going to help you," he snarls. "Shut up and do what you're told, and you may live. Fight me and I'll just kill you out of spite. Got it?"

My heart races and I nod, my voice now frozen in fear. I follow the man up a set of stairs and through a door. Once we reach the other side, light blinds me and I blink away the sting of fresh tears. My feet stop moving again as I stand in shock, feeling out of place in the luxurious home while my dress is torn, my arms are bound, and tears stream down my face.

The grip on my arm tugs me forward, past cream-colored walls with gold scones. White doors are spaced along the hallway, most of them closed. The few doors that are open give me glimpses of dark wood and damask covered chairs and couches. We make our way under a grand set of curved stairs that arch up towards a second floor, a set of wooden double doors on the other side. My guess is that they lead to the outdoors.

Glancing around, I find myself surrounded by a dozen men, all clearly armed with guns. I feel faint as I realize what is happening. The stranger with the bruising grip on my arm is Sean O'Neil, and these are the men loyal to him.

The trap, my life, it is all a way to get Kieran here. The world threatens to go black and part of me wants it to, wants to give into the darkness where I wouldn't feel this sinking in my gut and the cold wave of terror shaking my bones.

Chapter 31

Kieran

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