Page 41 of Surrendered to Mate

I twist away, strands of hair tearing free from my scalp. My heart pounds in my ears as I scramble back, putting some distance between us.

Darana's eyes narrow, a cruel smile twisting her lips. "Is that all you've got, human? No wonder Cassius will tire of you soon."

Her words sting, but I push the feeling aside. I can't let her get in my head.

She rushes me again, faster than before. This time, I'm not quick enough. Her fist connects with my jaw, sending me sprawling onto the sand. The world spins, pain exploding through my face.

I taste blood in my mouth as I roll, narrowly avoiding her foot as it stomps down where my head was a second ago. The sand shifts under me as I struggle to my feet, my vision blurring.

Darana doesn't give me a chance to recover. She's on me in an instant, her hand wrapping around my throat once more. She lifts me off my feet like I weigh nothing, her grip tightening.

I claw at her arm, gasping for air. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision. I can feel my strength fading, my limbs growing heavy.

No. I can't let it end like this.

With the last of my strength, I bring my legs up and kick out, catching Darana square in the chest. The impact sends us both flying apart. I hit the ground hard, sand flying up around me as I roll.

I push myself up onto my hands and knees, coughing and sucking in deep breaths. My throat burns, and every inch of my body aches. But I'm alive.

I look up, searching for Darana. She's already on her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. She takes a step towards me, murder written across her face.

Darana's eyes flash with fury as she circles me, her movements predatory. "You pathetic little human," she snarls."You think you can come between us? Cassius and I have history. You're nothing but a temporary distraction."

Her words cut deep, stirring up doubts I've been trying to ignore. The magic from the tablet pulses within me, feeding my anger and confusion.

"You're just a blood bag to him," Darana continues, her voice dripping with venom. "Once he's done with you, he'll come crawling back to me. That's how it always is."

Something inside me snaps. With a primal scream, I lunge at her, the magic exploding through my body. We grapple in the sand, rolling and clawing at each other. But it's clear I'm outmatched. Darana's vrakken strength is overwhelming, and I find myself pinned once again, gasping for air.

As we struggle, my mind races. Has Cassius been with her this whole time? Did I let myself trust him, only to be used? I curse my own naivety, anger and hurt battling within me.

If only I had my bow, I think desperately, searching for any way out of this situation. But I'm weaponless, facing an immortal creature fueled by jealousy and rage.

Darana's fangs gleam in the sunlight as she leans in close. "I'm going to enjoy draining every last drop of blood from your body," she hisses.

Fear grips me, but I refuse to give up. I thrash and fight, my fingers clawing at the sand, searching for anything I can use as a weapon. But there's nothing.

As Darana's teeth graze my neck, I can't help but wonder: where is Cassius? Did he abandon me to this fate? The doubt and betrayal sting almost as much as my impending death.

I struggle against Darana's iron grip, my heart pounding in my chest. Her eyes gleam with malicious intent, and a chill runs down my spine.

"Actually," she hisses, her breath hot against my ear, "I have a better idea."

Before I can react, her hand tightens around my throat. I claw at her arm, desperate for air, but it's like trying to bend steel. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision as panic sets in.

"No," I try to gasp, but no sound comes out.

Darana's face looms over me, a cruel smile twisting her beautiful features. The world starts to spin, my lungs burning for oxygen. I think of Cassius, wondering if he'll return to find me gone – or worse.

My limbs grow heavy, my struggles weakening. As consciousness begins to slip away, a final, terrifying thought flashes through my mind: What does she have planned for me?

The darkness closes in, and I feel myself falling into the abyss. The last thing I see is Darana's triumphant smirk before everything fades to black.

20

CASSIUS

Ithrash against the creature's grip, its slimy tentacles constricting around my chest and arms. The pressure builds as we plummet deeper into the inky depths. My wings, useless underwater, strain against my back. I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to gasp for air I don't need.

---