Page 38 of Psyop Kings

I start thrashing, hoping to break the surface soon. I’m disoriented and terrified. The chemical smell must’ve been chlorine. At least I’m not in some other body of water where I’d be contending with creatures on top of nearly drowning and being completely blind in the darkness.

Sparkles of light flitter in my vision. It’s not real light, though. I’m unable to hold my breath any longer and my body takes over, desperately trying to suck in air.

I suck in chlorinated water instead.

The next few seconds are panicked. My fingers push out of the water, cool air tickling over them, but it’s not quick enough.

I lose consciousness.

My entire body convulses as I vomit the water out of my lungs. I’m confused, but I quickly realize I’m no longer in the water. I determine I’m lying on my side on the concrete floor, purging my lungs. It’s also no longer dark.

The pool is now lit up with red lights, giving the water a bloody, creepy look to it.

I’m too busy trying not to die, so I don’t give in to the horrific sight of it.

I was just in that water. Drowning. In the dark.

A full-bodied shudder seizes my body, and my teeth begin to chatter. I heave sporadically until I’ve gotten all the chlorinated water out of my system.

I’m weak and boneless.

So much for my idea of escaping.

I went from one hell and dove right into another.

A sad, defeated sob rattles out of me. It’s chilly in this room I’m in—so chilly the warm water produces steam. I’d almost prefer to be back in that haunting water about now.

Footsteps behind me prevent that, though.

“You had so much hope,” Orion says, a gleefulness in his tone. “You almost thought you’d escaped.”

He chuckles and if I weren’t so weak, I’d curse at him.

Another voice joins. I flinch, worrying it’ll be Theo to get his vengeance.

“I’ll take her back up,” Gareth rumbles, voice sounding tight and agitated. “Caius wanted to see you anyway. I can handle this.”

Thisbeing me.

I can feel the malevolent presence of Orion hovering near me, enjoying every pitiful second of my weakness. I’m surprised he doesn’t kick me back into the water just to torture me a little more.

He pokes me with his foot, and I brace.

His dark laughter sends another ripple of shivers down my spine. Thankfully, he turns on his heel and strides off. Once a door closes, another set of footsteps approaches me.

“You really fell for it, Ro. I thought you were smarter than that.” Gareth sighs as though he’s disappointed in my choice of escape. His eyes travel to the pool. A dark look crosses over his face and he winces as if in pain. “Come on. Let’s get you back to bed.”

I want to fight him, but the bed is exactly where I want to be.

A pained whimper escapes me as he jostles my body and then scoops me in his muscular arms. Because he’s warm, I turn toward him, seeking out a small bit of comfort.

Gareth holds me tighter to him. “All you have to do is remember who you are, Ro. You’re one of us. As soon as you chase away all those crazy thoughts, you’ll see.”

His tone is gentle and kind. It makes my heart hurt.

What if he’s right?

What if it’s me who’s imagining all this captivity stuff?

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