Page 100 of Rescuing Ember

I agreed to this—to whatever Wolfe wants—to save Blaze. I can’t bear to see him like this; can’t let them keep torturing him because of me.

“Of course, your cooperation ensures his continued well-being.” Wolfe’s thumb brushes my lower lip, the gesture almost tender, a vile parody of affection. “I’d hate to waste such a valuable asset. Wouldn’t you agree?”

I swallow, my voice cracking under the weight of my desperation. “You said you’d free him.”

Wolfe’s smile widens, a cold glint in his eyes. “In time, my little flame. But first, you need to prove yourself. Show me that your loyalty lies with me. Then, and only then, will I consider releasing him.”

The ground seems to drop out from beneath me, the room tilting as his words sink in. Prove myself. He never intended to keep his word, not without twisting me into something he could use. My breath shudders, but I force myself to nod, swallowing down the fear.

For Blaze, I’ll do anything.

Even if it means losing myself in the process.

Every instinct screams to pull away, to fight, to run. Instead, I play the role of the broken weapon, accepting its master’s hand.

Wolfe’s hand.

“What do you want me to do?” The words taste like ash.

His smile widens, triumph gleaming in those winter eyes. “That’s my girl. We’ll start small—a few select targets. You’ll helpidentify the ones with the most promise and guide them through the transition.”

He turns to the screens, his arm sliding around my waist like a steel band. “Together, we’ll build something extraordinary. An empire of the forgotten turned into weapons of the finest caliber.”

The city stretches before us, unknowing, and unsuspecting. Each light represents a life, a potential victim. And I’m being molded into the monster who’ll help destroy them.

“Welcome to your new home, little flame.” Wolfe’s grip tightens possessively. “It’s time to show the world what you were meant to become.”

In the window’s reflection, I catch a glimpse of us—the elegant predator and his prized possession, but beneath my carefully crafted mask of submission, beneath the designer clothes and styled hair, a different truth burns.

He thinks he’s taming my fire.

He doesn’t realize he’s giving it fuel to burn.

“I still don’t understand what you want from me.”

“Your knowledge, your, shall I say, unique perspective, makes you invaluable.” Wolfe’s approval slithers down my spine like ice water. “It’s simple, really.”

“Then spell it out to me. What exactly do you want from me?”

He circles the chair, and each step is measured and precise. “You understand these children because you were one of them. Lost. Forgotten. But under my guidance…” His hand cups my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You’ll help me give them purpose. Structure. Just as I’ll give you purpose.”

My skin crawls where he touches me, but I force myself to remain still. To play my part. Every piece of information I give him is another nail in my conscience, another crack in my soul.

But it buys time. And time is all I need.

His thumb traces my lower lip, the gesture almost tender. “You and I, we’re going to reshape this city. One lost soul at a time.”

The monitors cast shadows across his face, turning his smile into something monstrous. In the screen’s reflection, I glimpse myself—hollow-eyed, pale, a ghost of who I used to be—but a spark still burns behind that mask of submission. Let him think he’s breaking me. Let him believe his mind games are working.

The flame he’s so obsessed with isn’t dying.

It’s just waiting to burn everything down.

THIRTY-FIVE

Ember

“Time for your orientation.”Wolfe’s hand settles on my lower back, steering me toward a private elevator at the back of his office. His touch burns through the thin silk of my shirt, each finger a brand of ownership.

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