Page 27 of Eat Me

"I don't appreciate you taking advantage of me while I was drugged," I say, my voice low and controlled despite the rage simmering beneath the surface. "Consent matters, even if you don't go'all the way'. What you did is still a violation."

Elijah's eyes flash dangerously. "Careful, darling. You're in no position to be making accusations or demands."

"It's not an accusation, it's a fact," I shoot back, refusing to back down. "You drugged me and then took liberties with my body while I was incapacitated. That's not okay."

He stepped closer, looming over me. His hand cupping my cheek, “I think you quite enjoyed it…but I won’t try it again. Would my word make you feel better?”

I pause at this, not expecting him to say anything like that. I may have enjoyed it in the moment, but under drugs, I could technically enjoy anything he did to me with the right drug. Did I want to try to fight him on this, or save it for another day?

“That is the best I am going to get in this situation…isn’t it?” I ask him softly, as he makes me look him in the eyes. He gives me a cold smile before letting me go.

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything too forward again until there is a ring on your finger…. Though, once that happens, I won’t make any promises.” He has a hungry glint in his eyes as he looks me over. I feel like he can see through what I’m wearing, making me want to cover myself. I refrain but I think he knows by the twitch of his lips.

“I don’t like the sound of that either, but I don’t think I’ll get a better deal, will I?” I ask him, I know by the grin on his face I’m right.

Elijah's eyes gleam with dark amusement. "You're learning quickly, darling. No, you won't get a better deal than that. But I'll honor my word - no more... liberties will happen…. for now."

He leans down, his voice almost a hushed whisper, “But I can promise you this - once you're officially ours, you'll be begging for our touch."

I scoff, wanting to bare my teeth in anger at him, "I highly doubt that."

He chuckles, his eyes dark with raw hunger, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. I stand still, wantingto flinch away from his touch. "We'll see. You may surprise yourself."

I glare at him, opening my mouth to argue further, but he holds up a hand to silence me. I snap my mouth shut, eyeing him wearily.

“Things may be different when you are officially ours.” I’m forced to suppress a shudder at his words. The idea of being‘officially theirs’makes my skin crawl. But I know arguing further will be pointless and potentially dangerous. I need to pick my battles carefully.

I manage to once again suppress a shudder at the predatory hunger in his gaze, and the possessive tone he spoke in. "Fine," I say curtly, wanting this conversation to be over. "Is there anything else you need, or can I be alone now?"

He chuckles, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. This time I flinch away from his touch. "Always so eager to dismiss me," he murmurs. "But no, there's nothing else at the moment. Rest up, darling.”

With that ominous warning, he turns and leaves the cell, the door clanging shut behind him. I let out a shaky breath once I’m alone. Letting my mind wonder to what has happened, I feel drained and sink to the floor, curling my body into itself.

Hoping that this nightmare is almost over.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Victoria

Waking with a start, my heart pounding as I’m trying to shake off the lingering tendrils of a nightmare. Fragments of hazy, disjointed images keep flashing through my mind - hands on my skin, teeth at my throat, a voice whispering dark promises. I shudder, attempting to push the disturbing thoughts away.

As I sit up, wincing at the lingering soreness in my body, I try to piece together how much time has passed since Elijah's last visit. Without any windows or clocks, it’s impossible to tell if hours or days have gone by. The uncertainty is gnawing at me, adding to my growing sense of disorientation.

Running my fingers through my tangled hair, grimacing as I catch one of the knots on my fingers. As I become more alert, I realize something’s different about my cell. There’s a small tray near the door with what looks like food and water. My stomachgrowls at the sight, reminding me how long it has been since I'd eaten.

Cautiously, I approach the tray. There’s a bottle of water, an apple, and what appears to be a sandwich wrapped in plastic. I hesitate, wondering if it could be drugged. But at this point, refusing food and water will only weaken me further. I need to keep up my strength.

I take a small sip of water first, waiting to see if I’m going to have any reaction. After being drugged once, I’m a bit apprehensive on what I consume now. Sitting here for a while and not feeling any different I let myself drink half the bottle of water before going to the food.

My mind’s wandering as I eat, trying to figure out some of the puzzles about this family. What’s their endgame here? Why go through all this elaborate testing just to find a wife? And why me? There must be more to it than what they’re telling us.

I finish the food, and I blink as I sigh, putting the empty bottle and apple core on the tray before moving back to the corner that I have been keeping to myself since being placed in the cell.

As I let my mind wander with questions and theories, what is the true purpose behind these tests? Are they really just looking for wives, or is there something more sinister at play? The elaborate nature of it all seems extreme for something as simple as matchmaking.

Thinking back over my interactions with the brothers, I’m trying to piece together any clues I might have missed. Their possessive behavior, the talk of family traditions, the hints about secrets I don't know yet - it all points to something bigger than just finding brides.

But what? Some kind of cult? A human trafficking ring? My imagination is conjuring increasingly dark scenarios, each more unsettling than the last. I shake my head, trying to clear theparanoid thoughts. I need to stay focused and rational if I’m going to survive this.

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