Page 151 of Crown of Lies

The words swirl around me, meaningless and confusing. I try to focus, to understand, but it’s too much. The darkness wins, swallowing me whole.

I float in a void, weightless and untethered. Time loses all meaning. I could have been here for minutes or days, I can’t tell.

Slowly, awareness begins to seep back in. My body feels heavy, my limbs unresponsive. I struggle to piece together what’s happening, where I am.

Ambrose. The fight. It all comes rushing back in a flood of fragmented memories.

Panic surges through me. I have to move, have to fight. They’re coming for us.

I try to lift my arms, to push myself up, but my muscles won’t obey. My eyes refuse to open, leaving me trapped in darkness.

A hand touches my arm. Enemy. Threat.

I lash out, or at least I try to. My arm barely twitches, but in my mind, I’m throwing punches, kicking, fighting for my life.

“Easy, mia cara. You’re safe.” A familiar voice, but I can’t place it.

No, not safe. Never safe. Ambrose is coming. I have to warn them, have to protect my team.

I struggle harder, trying to break free from whatever’s holding me down. In my drug-addled mind, I’m still in the middle of the fight, surrounded by Ambrose’s men.

My breath comes in short, panicked gasps. I have to move, have to fight. Why won’t my body listen?

“You’re alright, siren. You’re alright now.”

I’m not okay.

I’m thrashing, fighting against unseen enemies. My body feels heavy, unresponsive, but in my mind, I’m battling for my life. Hands catch my flailing limbs, holding me still. The touch only fuels my panic. I struggle harder, desperate to break free.

“Quinn, stop. You’re safe.” A voice cuts through the chaos in my head. Firmer this time. But familiar too. Comforting.

Nico.

I pause, confusion replacing fear. His words don’t make sense. How can I be safe?

“That’s it, mia cara. Easy now. You don’t have to fight anymore. It’s just us here.”

His voice is low, soothing. I feel my muscles start to relax, the tension slowly ebbing away. But doubt still lingers. What if this is a trick?

“Listen to him, siren.” Another deep voice joins in. Killian. “You’re alright. We’ve got you.”

Their voices anchor me, pulling me back from the brink of panic. I stop struggling, letting my body go limp. The hands holding me loosen their grip but don’t let go entirely.

“That’s it,” Nico murmurs. “Just breathe. You’re safe. We’re gonna keep you safe. I promise.”

I try to open my eyes, but they feel glued shut. A soft groan escapes my lips.

“Take your time,” Killian says. “No rush. We’re right here.”

I feel my body start to relax, something deep inside me unclenching at the sound of their familiar voices. The panic recedes, replaced by a growing awareness of my surroundings. Sensations flood back, overwhelming in their intensity.

My skin prickles, hypersensitive. The soft fabric beneath me feels like sandpaper. Every breath sends a wave of nausea through me. My head throbs, a dull ache that pulses behind my eyes.

I try to open my eyes, but the light stabs at me, sharp and painful. I squeeze them shut again, groaning.

“Take it slow,” Nico murmurs. His hand rests on my arm, warm and grounding.

I try again, forcing my eyelids open a crack. The world swims into focus, blurry and too bright. Nico’s face hovers above me, worry etched into his features.

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