Page 4 of Master of My Heart

She needed that ring. Her body wouldn’t move.

Why?

She took a deep breath and, with all her strength, lunged forward to grasp the heavy ring between her first and second fingers. The metal was surprisingly warm, though now that she thought about it, it always was. She pulled it toward her and grasped it tightly in her shaking fist against her naked chest. As warmth slowly spread from her hand to the rest of her body, she relaxed.

Within a few minutes, the final tremor wracked its way through her body and she let out a deep sigh.

She closed her eyes and succumbed to the blackness that beckoned.

*****

Sabrina’s palm stung, as if it had been cut by a dull knife.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw that she hadn’t moved since the last time she was awake, although she wasn’t shaking anymore. She opened her hand, stretching out her fingers, and saw the source of the stinging.

Chase’s ring.

The only thing that made her feel sane. Her only connection to the world outside this hellhole she lived in for so many years. Even though the memories it stirred up were painful, it was a good painful. It reminded her that, once upon a time, good things happened in her life.

Sabrina wasn’t certain how she managed to keep it out of sight for so long. It had been in her pocket when she was taken, and she’d hid it after Master and Khyan were done with her those long, painful first few days.

Sabrina still felt the pain in her heart as she remembered. She’d cried for so long after she’d finally been left alone. The gruesome murders of her mom and dad had flashed in her mind constantly. The memory of her mother’s screams tore at her soul. The only thing that would bring relief from those horrible images was replaying the few, precious hours she had with Chase until she felt like she were right there next to him on the yacht again. Then she would stare at the wall and will him to come crashing in and rescue her.

After a few months, she realized how foolish she was being. He had no idea she was even taken. How could he? He was in training. There was no hope of rescue.

But she couldn’t rid herself of the hope in her heart. She dreamed of being free.

For a while.

Then she forgot to dream of anything and gave in to Master’s desires.

Until that ring somehow woke her up again.

It had been easier when she was oblivious to what was going on around her. There was nothing to dream of, nothing to hope for.

Nothing.

Blissful ignorance.

Hope hurt. Hope made her dream of possibilities. Possibilities that would never become reality.

It was easier to forget.

Shaking her head to clear her mind of the abhorrent thoughts, Sabrina sat up. She looked down at her naked body covered in dried blood. Unfortunately, this wasn’t unusual. She went into the bathroom to take a shower, listening for Ramon to come thundering into her room.

But he didn’t. Where is he? Not that she should complain. Sabrina liked it when he left her alone, however rare an occurrence that was. Though it seemed to be happening more often lately.

Even Khyan had been gone for a few weeks. Lately he’d been absent more than he’d been with her. Though, if Sabrina was being honest with herself, she wasn’t sure if things were better or worse when he wasn’t around. Perhaps neither. Ramon was more than capable of achieving Khyan’s level of cruelty.

Once showered, Sabrina towel-dried her hair and dressed in a simple blue cotton dress Ramon had given her to wear on the rare occasion when he didn’t need her. The dress and her dance clothes were the only things she could call her own.

And Chase’s ring.

She sat down on her bed, cross-legged, and held Chase’s ring, sighing as she lost herself in her memories for a few precious minutes.

She looked up suddenly. It was quiet. Too quiet. The silence hung around her like a heavy cloak, threatening to suffocate her in the hot air of an Arizona summer afternoon.

The compound was never this quiet. There was always someone stomping around.

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