Page 22 of Brutal Empire

I was about to protest, but he looked at me, and then he looked at Cam.

“You finished your task. You are free to leave immediately.”

My head whipped so fast I didn’t know if it was to try and get my fill of her, to engrave her face to memory. Despite everything, she had made it to the other side. A part of me wanted to tell her to stay. That I would keep her safe, and maybe now that she was strong, she could have a life outside of this.

She was robbed of the perfect life, and I felt guilty about it. I could practically hear Daphne telling me she was not Katia.

Cam inhaled sharply. The air filled her lungs, and her mouth parted as the air began to come out.

“And if I want to stay?” She whispered the words slowly, almost as if she wasn’t sure she should be saying them.

NINE

The words leftmy mouth before I could filter them. I wanted to bite my tongue and nod and say goodbye, but a part of me didn’t want to leave. It wasn’t because I’d suddenly found myself attached to these people but because I had tasted true freedom for the first time in years.

I was terrified with every step, but as I breathed that fear, I also reminded myself that I was free.

My cage used to be small. The memory of those first days with my master came and went, but the feeling of being caged was one that had not left. Freedom. That was the only word in my vocabulary for the longest time. It was the only way I was able to endure everything I did. I had hoped that one day I would be able to leave.

When I finally did, I didn’t even have the strength to crawl out. I begged for my death because I had been at my limit. Life was not worth living if you lived in despair.

My second chance stood before me now. My eyes clashed with Bastian’s. They were like a pool of ink. Dark, but somehow there was something warm about it.

I looked away quickly, and the other man, Roman, was giving me a curious look.

“I am able to stand on my own. I can be of help…so use me.”

This time, the thought of being used didn’t ultimately make me feel worthless. Instead, there was something liberating about it.

Roman looked to Bas as if waiting for him to give him the answer.

“No,” he said, and my stomach churned in anger.

I opened my mouth to protest but immediately closed it. Shame burned through me. I didn’t know much about life anymore, but I would not stay in a place I was not wanted.

“It’s dangerous,” Bas went on.

Rage fueled me.

“You’re weak, and I could easily kill you if I wanted to,” I bit out.

A loud pop came from Roman as he pulled a lollipop out of his mouth.

“She’s not wrong. I’d say at least two months of rest, or you’ll do more damage than good.”

Bastian’s face turned cold. He already looked intimidating, but now he looked like he would kill the next person who crossed his path.

“Fuck.” He seethed.

My skin got covered in goosebumps at his words and their intensity.

“There’s no time.”

My throat clogged, and I felt like I could have done more. Maybe if I had not hesitated, I could have killed the man before he had injured him.

“Maybe we can work this to our advantage…” Roman said pensively. He turned around without another word and then pulled out his laptop.

I didn’t know what to say now that it was Bastian and me. I began to retreat when he spoke again.

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