Page 7 of Beg the Night

Men worried me. Truly. Their sheer strength and ability to overpower a woman was enough to put me on edge. And that was in the presence of justone. Here, there had to be dozens.

I scrambled to my feet and scanned my new prison, working to temper a look of disgust.

It wasgross.We were in an underground cave, like a hole had been dug in the earth and these men had been shoved inside with no extra accommodations. Tiny cracks and natural openings in the rock near the top of the cave walls let in just enough sunlight to illuminate small cots lining either side of this underground dungeon. The walls were damp and rigid, looking as if the entire structure could cave in at any second. Everything was black or brown and covered in dirt. The smell of musk and old air nearly suffocated me, but I forced myself to take a few steps forward.

Some men stood in groups, speaking softly. Some worked out amongst themselves on the far side of the cavern. Others lounged around on the ground. But after a longer assessment, it was clear my first impression was correct.

I was the only woman here.

As fear ignited inside me, I froze. Maybe if I stood still, none of these monsters—sorry,men—would see me.

But unfortunately, within seconds, every conversation in the dungeon dwindled to a halt. Every single pair of eyes fell on me.

This was so much worse than living alone with my family buried in the yard. Was it too late to join them?

“What do we have here?” A blond man approached from my right. He was a foot taller than me, but his black T-shirt hung from his shoulders loosely, exposing his thin frame.

I could take him if I had to.

But I sure as shit couldn’t take all of them.

I probably couldn’t even fight off the two other men who flanked him with their arms crossed over their chests.

With my mouth sealed shut, I lifted my chin and crossed my own arms.

Rather than back off like I’d hoped, the man only tilted his head in delight. “A shy one.” He clicked his tongue. “Good. That’ll make our jobs easier.”

The men beside him snickered, and a bolt of dread ran up my spine.

Cheeks heating, I willed my body not to tremble. “And what is your job, exactly?” I mustered as much sass as I could as I looked him up and down like the trash he was.

He only seemed to like that more.

“Didn’t they tell you?” he sneered, coming one step too close for comfort. “You’re here so we can finally complete the damn claiming ritual. We’ve been waiting for months, and I’ll be damned if I let your smart mouth talk your way out of this.”

Stomach sinking, I took half a step back. Hadeveryonehere lost their damn minds?

“You’re all mystics?” I scanned the room, and when every eye was still on me, I swallowed thickly. Some even stopped whatthey were doing to stand, circling me like I was their new form of entertainment.

The blond man just laughed. “Of course we’re mystics. If not for the claiming, why would any man have any interest in someone like you? Now,” he said, flashing a wicked smile, “tell us. What tier are you? By the look of you, I’d guess a one. There’s no way someone covered in dirt and gore would have real worth in this world.”

He scanned my body again, lingering on the blood and wounds that covered my right thigh. I stood tall. I would not flinch in front of these monsters. I would not show weakness.

Arms still crossed, I pulled myself up straighter and squinted at this sad excuse for a human. “I’m not telling you anything,” I sneered. “And I suggest you take a step back before you piss me off.”

With his hands held up in front of him, he widened his eyes and let his mouth drop open sarcastically.

While his buddies laughed, my heart raced. Shit. I hoped these bozos couldn’t tell. This was so, so much worse than lying unconscious in the van with those Ministry freaks.

“Let’s get one thing straight here,sweetheart.” Rather than step back like I suggested, he got so close I could smell the revolting musk wafting from him, his green eyes boring into mine. “You don’t get to talk to me like that. As a matter of fact, you don’t talk to anyone like that. Not even Henry over there.” He pointed to one side, but I refused to look away from him, not when he was so close. “Who I’m convinced was only brought here because Director had no other use for him. Now, keep your pretty little mouth shut and stay out of my way. We all know a woman like you has only one use here.”

He reached out like he was going to touch me, but a massive figure stepped into view, and Blondie immediately froze and turned to look up at the male who approached us.

Good god, he was huge. He had pale skin but thick, dark lashes fringing his nearly black eyes. His arms were crossed, causing his biceps to bulge as he looked at Blondie. Then me.

I almost shit my pants right there.

“What are you doing over here, Carter?”

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