Page 8 of Cruel Devotion

Lowering my hands to the floor, I felt around. My fingers traced the lines etched in the stone floor. Shifting forward to crawl, hissing as I scraped my knees. Bumping into something, I wrapped my hand around it. Cold and long.Bars.I was in a cell.

Really hitting all the tropes now:

Kidnapping.

Trauma.

And now imprisonment.

Drip.

Drop.

Drip.

Drop.

Now that I was alone with no monster in sight, I felt safe. For a second. Then, it was replaced with hopelessness. And therewas no blade to ease my mind. Staring into the darkness, I laughed maniacally. I was forced to face reality. I was trapped, with no way of escaping. Even if I somehow got out, I wouldn’t get far. I wasn’t athletic, couldn’t run to save my life, and had no idea where I was. Something creaked in the distance, alerting me to the monster’s arrival. My fingers trembled as I sat back on my heels, the sound of footsteps drawing closer. Instinct screamed that I find somewhere to hide, but I couldn’t move. The faint glow of a light floated closer, and my pulse raced with each approaching step.

How does a monster hold a flashlight?

“Yep. I’ve lost it.”

Another creak echoed, followed by the clang of metal slamming shut. When the ball of light was finally close enough, I froze, but not because of fear. My gaze locked on his hand, the veins running up his forearm, and the dark tattoos etched into his skin. I shouldn’t have noticed these things—but I couldn’t help it. And I didn’t stop there. A black wolf on his neck and piercing gray eyes that were almost transparent. His lips were lush, his head shaved, hair replaced by tattoos. His frame was wide and he towered over me.

Human.

Not only that.

This man was fine.

Dark romance fine.

Like I’ll chain myself up, no worries, fine.

My thoughts were out of touch with reality. This man could help me. His gaze searched the cell before dropping to me.

“One?” He tilted his head to the side, his movements unnervingly animalistic.

“What?” I rasped, my throat dry and scratchy.

“He only brought back one?” His tone was casual, as if we weren’t talking about my kidnapping.

“Y-yes. It’s just me.” My voice cracked as my stomach knotted at where this conversation was headed.

“Poor thing.” He didn’t sound empathetic.

“Can you help me?” My voice trembled.

“It’s easier when there are more to shoulder the burden. You’ll have to meet his every need and fulfill his sick cravings.” Completely ignoring my plea, something was off. His facial expressions didn’t match his words. It was as if the thought of the monster using me excited him. Dropping to a squat, he leaned in, and sniffed the air like an animal.

What is he doing?

Maybe he’s a monster too.

“Tell me, has Darius fucked you?” A wolfish smile spread across his face. A feeling welled up inside of me, but I ignored it. Like this situation, it was wrong, and it was getting worse by the second. I shook my head and inched back.

“Ah, ah. Don’t lie to me.”

---