Page 168 of Hunting Pretty

For a moment, Dr. Vale and Liath just stared at each other. Inside, I begged Liath not to say yes, not to go through with it.

Even though I knew it was useless.

Liath nodded. “Do it.”

THE SHADOW

Ileaned closer to the screen, my heart hammering in my chest.

The flicker of the video played in harsh light, casting eerie shadows across Dr. Vale’s face. His expression was calm, controlled—too controlled—and it sent a shiver crawling up my spine.

Liath lay back on the chaise lounge opposite him, her eyes glazed, her breathing shallow. She looked smaller, more fragile under the dim light of his office. Like a broken doll.

“You’re safe here, Liath. You’re safe with me.”

I gritted my teeth. Safe?

Liath didn’t look safe. She certainly didn’t look like shefeltsafe. Her shoulders were hunched, her hands gripping the armrests. I could almost feel the tension winding through her body, coiling tighter with every second.

“Take a deep breath,” Vale’s voice purred, smooth and controlled. “Let it out slowly. Good.”

The sound of Dr. Vale’s voice was low and steady, almostlike a chant. Each word was drawn out, designed to pull Liath deeper into the trance.

“Give me another deeper breath. In…. and out… Yes. With each breath, your body is growing more relaxed, your eyes heavy.”

I hated the way he spoke to her, the way his tone twisted around her like a vine.

But as he directed her breaths, I saw the tension slipping from her shoulders, her lids getting heavy.

“Now close your eyes, Liath.”

Liath’s eyes fluttered shut reluctantly, then stayed closed.

“That’s it,” Dr. Vale instructed, his voice was slow, hypnotic as he watched her from his position in the chair opposite her, close enough to touch her should he decide to reach out.

“Focus on my voice. Nothing else matters. Breathe in… and out. Good. Let everything else fade away. Just you and my voice now.”

Her chest rose and fell in shallow, controlled breaths.

My stomach twisted as I leaned closer to the screen, every instinct in my body screaming to pull her away from him.

But there I was, trapped, just like her.

Unable to tear my eyes away from her.

Unable to move.

Dr. Vale’s voice dropped lower. “Now, Liath, I’m going to count down from ten. With each number, you’re going to feel yourself sinking deeper into relaxation, deeper into your own mind. Nothing can hurt you. You are in control. When I reach one, you will be calm and completely at ease.”

He began the countdown. His voice was soft, measured.

“Ten… nine…”

I watched as Liath’s body gradually loosened, her hands falling slack against the armrests.

“Eight… seven…”

Her breathing steadied, her shoulders lowering as if a weight had been lifted off them.

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