Page 28 of Fated

A simple bed covered with basic white linen sat in the room’s center.

I moved numbly to the dresser, ignoring the panic beneath the surface threatening to overtake me. On opening the first drawer, I found neatly folded pieces of a female guard’s uniform. I wasn’t going to wear that. The next drawer held a couple pairs of plain gray sweatpants and sweatshirts, so I grabbed a set along with a pair of thick wool socks from the drawer below and headed to the adjoining bathroom.

The bathroom, like the bedroom, was basic.

A shower, toilet, and sink filled the small space. I placed the clean clothes on top of the sink, my eyes catching my reflection in the mirror, taking in the pale, strained face staring back. I looked like a ghost of the person I once had been, fragile, lost.

I stared for a moment, and then, it all came crashing down.

Unable to hold it together any longer—the fear, the helplessness, the overwhelming dread—it all finally broke through the wall built around my emotions. I clutched at my chest, the pressure there unbearable, stumbling back until my body hit the wall.

My face buried into my hands as tears began to flow freely.

I felt foolish for ever thinking I’d stood a chance of escaping this nightmare or killing the two monsters holding me captive. The memory of Ash casually dangling that man by his neck, his power so effortless and terrifying, now sent shivers of dread down my spine.

If Ash could do that, what horrors would await me at the hand of the king?

I felt like a failure, as if I had let my mom down in the worst possible way.

The weight of that realization crushed me, sending me crumpling to the floor, my body giving out under the strain of emotions no longer containable.

With a sudden surge of frustration, I ripped the black gloves off and threw them hard against the vanity. On my hands, the skin was irritated and raw, with red bumps from being trapped in the gloves for so long. I opened both hands, palms facing up, the same way Calyx had done when he’d produced that glowing orb of light. I focused on them, willing them to do something, anything. Minutes passed by with nothing happening, except feeling like a fool.

Dropping my head into my hands, I let out a shriek of frustration.

A moment later, I took a deep breath, steadying myself and turned toward the shower. Twisting the knob, I let the water warm up, peeling myself free of the awful dress, letting it fall to the floor in a heap. Rummaging through the bathroom drawers, I found a small collection of toiletries.

A bottle of shampoo smelled faintly of coconut, and there was a sweet melon-scented liquid I assumed was body wash, plus a washcloth, a hairbrush, what looked like a disposable razor, a new toothbrush, and what I guessed to be deodorant, plus a sweet-smelling moisturizer.

All the items were familiar, but their subtle differences reminded me I was in a world far removed from my own.

Stepping into the shower, I sighed with relief as deliciously warm water cascaded over me, washing away the cold that had clung to my skin since the bike ride.

For a moment, I allowed myself to forget where I was, to forget about the looming threat of the king and the fate awaiting.I washed my hair with the coconut-scented hair wash, leaving my hair softer and silkier than anything I’d ever used back home, and I lathered the washcloth with the melon soap, washing away all the day’s dirt and tension.

Finally, clean and refreshed, I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower.

After drying off and using the sweetly scented moisturizer, I pulled on the gray sweatpants and sweatshirt, surprised by how soft they were. I brushed my hair and teeth and walked back into the bedroom, thinking that at least I’d be clean and comfortable during my final night.

Chapter 8

Icrawled up onto the middle of the bed, pulling on the thick socks one by one, my eyes drifting to the window. The sky beyond was filled with stars, sparkling brilliantly against a deep black canvas of night. I stared out, not really looking at anything—until something moved.

I blinked, unsure if it was just my tired eyes playing tricks on me or the play of shadows outside the window. But then, the movement came again, a fist of panic squeezing my chest. My body froze, unable to tear my gaze away. And then, a pale face appeared, staring directly at me.

A scream erupted from me, high pitched and uncontrollable, my heart racing wildly.

Everything happened so fast.

I felt and heard the explosion from the bedroom door behind, and at the same time, the window in front of me shattered, sending shards of glass flying across the room. I turned away instinctively, shielding myself … And that was when I saw what Ash had done to the door. There was nothing there anymore, only a cloud of dust remained.

Before I could fully process what was happening, a heavy arm snaked around my body, yanking me to my knees on the bed, sending fear surging through me like wildfire.

The stench of the guard’s vile breath on my neck filled my nostrils and I watched as another ripper climbed in through the shattered window.

Ash’s eyes met mine from across the room.

His gaze was murderous, flickering between me and theripper at my neck. For a split-second, Ash seemed to hesitate, an expression resembling fear flashing over his face, but it was quickly replaced by cold fury as he rushed toward the man at my throat.

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