Page 2 of Absentia Mori

“What do you want from me?” I rasp. “My family has money if that’s what you’re after. Please, just let me go.”

The bald one snickers. “She’s still confused.” He removes a syringe from his back pocket. “We’re here to help you. The sooner you get better, the sooner you might be able to leave.”

Um, what? “You’re not making any sense. I’m Libra Thorn. I go to Tenebrose Academy in Raven’s Gate. This is all a mistake. Just call my father, and he’ll clear this up.”

The other one sighs. “We’ve been over this before. As soon as you accept this, the better it will be. We can’t help you if you won’t help yourself.”

My heart pounds faster. “Where the fuck am I?”

The bald one looks around the room then back at me. “Your new home. Absentia Asylum.”

No.

“You’ve been here for a while. You don’t remember?” the other one adds.

I shake my head. “No. That’s not possible.” I look past them toward the open door. All reason and logic leave my brain as I make a run for it.

I’m not even halfway through when I’m yanked back. The bald one wraps his large arm around my waist and flings me around. “Nice try, sweetie. But you aren’t going anywhere.”

“Get your fucking hands off me.” I gurgle as I flail in his grasp.

“Fuck, a feisty one. Hold her down.”

He pins me to the bed while the other one slips restraints around my wrists and ankles. I thrash against the sheets. “Stop.Please. I’m Libra Thorn. You have to let me go. I don’t belong here.”

The bald one flicks the syringe before shoving it into my arm. “Shhh, time to sleep now.”

No.

I feel the toxin enter my bloodstream instantly, numbing my skin and weakening my limbs. My eyes feel heavy.

They both laugh as one of them whispers in my ear, “We’re going to have so much fun with you.”

Bile rises in my throat, but before I can regurgitate it, my tongue flops out. I can’t even swallow. The thought of either of these creeps touching me makes my skin crawl. I need to get out of here, but my body is paralyzed. I look down at my legs.Please fucking work. They won’t budge. No…

I turn my head to watch them laugh as they leave, fighting hard to keep my eyes open. To stay conscious. But the toxin is too strong. It’s pulling me under.

And just before they close the door, I seehim. He stands there watching me. Watching everything. His blue eyes are murderous and yet full of amusement at the same time. I don’t know his name, but I know his face.That evil fucking face.

He’s Nocturnus—wasNocturnus. One of the initiates that Riot kicked out. I rejected him at a party last year.

Fucking hell.

This nightmare just keeps getting worse.

Right before the door shuts, he squeezes his cock and smiles at me. Like a villain who’s finally cornered his prey.

I try to scream but can’t. My voice betrays me. My body is no longer mine to control. All I can do is listen as the three locks on my door are latched.

I can’t fight it anymore. The toxin is seducing me to sleep.

So I let it. And before I black out, I wish I really was dead. There’s only one place that’s worse than hell—Absentia Asylum.

I take a shallow breath before opening my eyes, praying that when I do, I’ll be back in my dorm at Tenebrose Academy. That last night was just a horrific nightmare.

My heart sinks as I take in the same stark white walls, the steel desk, and the flashing fluorescent light above my head.

Fuck.

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