Page 68 of Blood Caged

Soren doesn’t fight back. He stands there, taking every hit, every scratch. His passivity only fuels my rage. I want him to fight, to show his true monstrous nature.

“Fight back!” I yell, my voice breaking. “Show me who you really are!”

Tears stream down my face, blurring my vision. I’m not sure if I’m crying from anger or grief anymore. All I know is that I want to hurt him as much as he’s hurt me.

When he finally reaches for my wrists to subdue me, I thrash against his grip, my fists still pounding against his chest. “Let go of me!” I scream, my voice hoarse and raw.

His arms encircle me, pinning my own to my sides. I struggle harder, kicking out with my legs, but it’s like fighting against steel cables.

“Mia, please,” he says, his voice strained. “I’m not trying to hurt you.”

“Liar!” I spit, twisting in his grasp. “That’s all you do! Hurt people, kill people!”

I manage to wrench one arm free and claw at his face again. He catches my wrist easily, his grip firm but not painful. The gentleness in his touch only infuriates me more.

“Stop it!” I yell, thrashing wildly.

But Soren just holds me tighter, absorbing every blow, every kick. His restraint chips away at my anger, leaving raw grief in its wake. My attacks become more frantic, less coordinated.

“Why?” I sob, my fists weakly hitting his chest. “Why did you do it? They didn’t deserve to die!”

The fight drains out of me, leaving me boneless in Soren’s arms. My legs give out, and he sinks to the floor with me, still holding me close.

“I hate you,” I whisper yet again, but the words lack conviction. Tears stream down my face as I collapse against him, my body wracked with sobs.

Soren says nothing, just holds me as I fall apart. His hand strokes my back in soothing circles, and I hate myself for finding comfort in his touch.

As my sobs quieten, I become acutely aware of our position. We’re in the middle of the room, my body pressed against his, our faces mere inches apart. I can feel the rise and fall of his chest, the coolness of his skin through his thin shirt.

My breath catches in my throat. Soren’s eyes meet mine, and I see a storm of emotions swirling in their depths.

The air between us seems to thicken, charged with an electricity I don’t want to acknowledge. My heart races, and I know he can hear it. His hand on my back stills, but he doesn’t let go.

I should push him away. I should scream and fight and hate him with every fiber of my being. But I can’t move. Can’t look away from those eyes that seem to see right through me.

Our faces are so close I can feel his cool breath on my skin. The scent of him surrounds me, making my head spin.

“Mia,” Soren whispers, his voice low and rough.

I shiver involuntarily, hating the effect he has on me. How can I still react to him like this after everything he’s done? Maybe it’s because he’s been the one bright light in my days here, and my foolish heart isn’t ready to let go of the image I created around him.

Whatever it is, it weakens me. Crushes my resolve.

I’m not sure who moves first. One moment, we’re locked in that intense stare, and the next, our lips crash together in a desperate, angry kiss.

It’s all fury and grief at first, teeth clashing as we pour our rage into each other. I bite his lower lip hard, tasting copper. My hands fist in his shirt, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

Soren’s grip on me tightens, one hand tangling in my hair. He kisses me like a man starved, and against my will, I respond with equal hunger.

The anger slowly gives way to something else – an unwanted desire that burns through my veins. His lips soften against mine, and I hate how right it feels. How perfectly we fit together.

I sigh as Soren’s tongue traces the seam of my lips, seeking entrance. Part of me screams to stop this madness, but a larger part craves more. I open to him with a quiet moan that would mortify me if I had any sense left.

Our tongues dance, and I’m lost in sensation. The coolness of his skin, the taste of him – it’s intoxicating. My body betrays me, melting against him as the kiss deepens.

I shouldn’t want this. I shouldn’t want him. He’s the enemy, a murderer. But in this moment, I can’t bring myself to care. All I know is the feel of his lips on mine, his hands on my body, setting me aflame.

Stop, Mia. Stop it!

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