Page 13 of The Curse of Blood and Silenc

To Gage’s left stood a man I didn’t recognize. He was shorter than Gage but no less intimidating, with broad shoulders and a deep scar running down the side of his face. His presence radiated danger, and I found myself unconsciously leaning away from him. But it was the man on Gage’s right that truly made my heart stutter, and my blood run cold.

Petar Dragan.

I stumbled, my legs suddenly weak. Bitterness swelled inside me as memories of his betrayal and the terror of my kidnapping crashed over me.

Petar’s gelled-backed hair gleamed under the hallway lights, reminding me of an oil slick on water. His eyes darted around nervously, never settling on one spot for long, until finally they locked on mine. In that moment, I saw dark cruelty flash behind his nervous facade, and my stomach lurched.

“You,” I whispered through gritted teeth.

It was all I could muster. I couldn’t even bring myself to say his name. Rage boiled inside me as I remembered how he’d manipulated me, lying about Joy being hurt to lure me away. The memory of my panic, my desperate rush to help my friend only to fall into his trap, made me want to lash out at him right there.

He would pay for that deception, for turning my love for Joy against me. Angelo would see to it.

Petar’s thin lips curled into what I suppose he thought was a charming smile, but it only served to heighten my unease. Something about him had always set my teeth on edge, but now, knowing what he’d done, the feeling had erupted like a burst boil, oozing with foul-smelling pus. He reminded me of every sleazy used car salesman and unscrupulous politician I’d ever encountered, rolled into one unsavory, festering wound.

As we approached, I could smell Petar’s overpowering cologne, a cloying scent that stuck in my throat and mingledunpleasantly with the aroma of the bayou still clinging to my clothes. The combination was nauseating.

I tried to steel myself, to project an air of confidence I didn’t feel. Inside, my mind was racing. What was Petar even doing here? His presence suggested that whatever was about to happen involved not just supernatural politics, but the human criminal element as well. The situation, already dire, suddenly felt even more complex and dangerous.

Despite my fear, I forced myself to stand tall, meeting each man’s gaze in turn. I might be their captive, but I refused to let them see me cower. Angelo never showed fear. I was his mate and had to show that I was worthy of being so. I had survived Freaky Freddie and I would survive this. Angelo always said, “I believe in you.” Right now, those words were my lifeline, the only thing keeping me from crumbling under the weight of their collective stares.

“Hello, Serenity,” Petar said, his face splitting into a big, oily smile. “Enjoying your stay?”

His smug tone ignited my fury. Without thinking, I lunged forward, my hand raised to slap his face. But before I could make contact, Balthazar caught my arm in his iron grip, yanking me back. As I struggled in his hold, a sleek limousine pulled up outside, is arrival momentarily distracting me.

Petar’s eyes flashed with anger. “You’ll pay for that little outburst,” he snarled. Then his tone shifted and became sickeningly sweet. “I have a gift for you.”

It was only then that I noticed the burlap sack in his hand, the words ‘Idaho Potatoes’ stamped across it in faded letters.

“What—” I started to say, but Petar was too quick.

Before I could react, he lunged forward and pulled the sack over my head. Darkness engulfed me, the rough fabric scratching against my skin.

I was hustled outside and into the vehicle, then the car door slammed shut and the vehicle lurched into motion. The world outside the burlap sack was a cacophony of muddled sounds—the purr of the engine, the crunch of gravel under the tires, the low murmur of voices I couldn’t quite make out.

My neck still hurt where Gage had gripped me yesterday, and I didn’t want another round of him trying to squeeze the life out of me. The stale smell of potatoes from the sack mingled with the leathery scent of the car interior, creating a nauseating cocktail that made my stomach churn. Each inhalation was a struggle.

As we drove my mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of information I had. Petar’s betrayal…the Luparion Crystal…Gage’s threats… They all swirled in my head like a chaotic storm. What did they really want from me? And more importantly, how was I going to get out of this alive?

I tried to focus on my other senses, attempting to glean any information about where we might be heading. The car felt like it was moving fast, with few stops or turns. Were we on a highway heading away from the city? The thought of being taken even further from potential help sent a fresh wave of panic through me.

Despite the fear coursing through my veins, I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths.Stay calm, I told myself.Look for opportunities. Be patient. It’s what Angelo would do.

That was how I had escaped Freddie for years, too. Until—no. I didn’t want to think about that.

My fingers twitched, itching to summon my Nephilim powers. But I knew better than to try that now. I was blindfolded, surrounded by enemies in a moving vehicle. One wrong move and I could kill all of us. This wasn’t the time. I’d just have to wait for another opportunity.

I focused instead on filing away every detail I could—the duration of the ride, the turns we took, any distinctive sounds or smells outside.

As the car continued its journey to the wolf mafia king’s home, a grim determination settled over me. I might be their captive, but I refused to be their victim.

The car hit a bump, jostling me against whoever sat beside me. A familiar wave of revulsion, automatic and completely unbidden, told me it was Balthazar. His presence, though threatening, was oddly reassuring. He had shown some mercy earlier when he called off Gage. Perhaps, if things went south, I could use the apparent tension between them to my advantage.

Hope crystallized in my mind. I would survive this, whatever it took. I’d survived living with a single mom, survived her death, even survived Angelo buying me. I could do it again. I would get back to Angelo.

I settled back in the seat and recited a silent prayer, wedged between my two of my captors.

Angelo, be safe. I’ll find you. Just know I love you.

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