Page 36 of Sinister Intentions

The fear, the helplessness, the not knowing…

It couldn’t be happening again. Not like this!

I lashed out with everything I had as they tried to drag me forward. Kicked at anything within reach as I tried to break free. My foot connected with something, and for a second, the hand around my upper arm loosened before a sharp tug propelled me forward, and I slammed against something solid—the car?

I yanked again, tried to drop to the ground.

Instead, I was catapulted into the vehicle.

Alone.

I was completely alone this time.

No sisters, no Fee, no one to help me.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, fueling my desperation. I had to fight, had to get out of here before they took me…wherever they planned on taking me.

I twisted and turned, grunting with the effort as I battled against my captors. My pulse thundered in my ears, the rush of blood almost deafening as adrenaline coursed through me.

An arm snaked around my neck from behind, the crook pressing against my throat and cutting off my air supply.

I choked, clawing at the obstruction as my lungs burned for oxygen.

Then…that scent.

Crisp, tinged with something deeper, almost spicy. I knew that scent. But from where? My head started to swim, and the edges of my awareness started to get funky and dim as the lack of air took its toll.

I clawed at the arm, struggling harder, desperate not to lose consciousness, not to let them take me. My heart raced in my ears, but the arm tightened, relentless and unyielding, until everything faded to black.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ijolted awake, disoriented, slightly nauseous, and gasping for air. My head pounded, and a metallic taste lingered on my tongue.

What happened? Where was I?

I blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of the inky blackness surrounding me. No light penetrated the shroud of darkness, which weighed heavily on me.

But it wasn’t the black hood anymore. I was in a dark room, too dark to make out any details.

Was it night already?

How long had I been out? And where exactly was I?

I stilled and tried to listen, straining to detect any sound that might give me a clue. But apart from the pounding of my pulse in my ears, I couldn’t hear a damn thing.

I turned my head but immediately stopped since the slightest movement increased my pounding headache.

At least, I wasn’t dead, right?

Not yet, that was.

I closed my eyes and took a whiff. The room smelled of laundry detergent mixed with a citrusy scent.

Crisp and clean—totally not what I’d expected. I thought I would end up in a warehouse or maybe some basement.

Not in someone’s…bedroom? I sniffed again. There was the light musky scent again—even though faint.

Was I not alone?

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