Page 101 of Owned

Something horrible.

I struggled to remember it, and then the image flooded my thoughts.

The dagger in my hand. The comfort of its weight and the familiar sharpness of the blade.

Why had I picked up the dagger? What was I going to do with it—

“So many questions…”

I drew in a breath as Valen stirred beside me, but he was deeply asleep. I shifted carefully onto my back and stared at the dark damask canopy above my bed as my thoughts drifted like mist over the gardens.

Valen wanted to help me escape.

If he’d said it a month ago, it wouldn’t have seemed possible.

But now?

Now it could be.

The SUV slidthrough Messana’s streets and my grip on the steering wheel was tighter than it should have been.

But I was on edge.

Bastian lounged in the passenger seat, his head tilted back against the headrest, and an infuriating smirk on his lips. He looked at ease, as if we were merely out for a Sunday drive instead of barreling toward Messana Academy with a trunk full of traitors.

To make matters worse—it was midday.

Beside me, Bastian stretched and set one of his boots against the dash. “Lucian’s going to get a kick out of this,” he said.“We’ve really outdone ourselves—” His tone was light, almost musical, but there was an undertone that made my skin crawl.

“Shut up,” I replied, my tone clipped. It was infuriating how nonchalant he could be. ”And get your fucking boot off the dash.”

Bastian chuckled, and I noticed the grim smear of wetness left behind as he moved his foot.

I hated that we had to make such a show of force in broad daylight.

But Bastian had to shoot off his fucking mouth and make everything worse.

Now Lucian wanted results—concrete results—not smoke and shadows.

That meant executing his demands like cursed marionettes.

And I fucking hated it.

Every minute we wasted our time on this shit took us farther away from our goals—

Bastian knew that.

Which made me wonder if he was doing this on purpose.

Would he dare?

“Lighten up,” Bastian continued, unfazed by my irritation. “The two in the back will talk. I need names. And I’m going to get them.” He set his hands behind his head. “Besides, I think Lucian will be pleased—” Out of the corner of my eye I could see his head turn as he looked over at me. Movement in the back seat drew my attention. Muffled sounds from the hooded figures tied up like discarded dolls in the trunk. We’d had a busy morning, one I didn’t care to dwell on.

It wouldn’t be long before news of what had happened would sweep through Messana.

We hadn’t been subtle.

“Stop talking,” I snapped again and forced myself to focus on the road ahead.

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