Page 79 of Merciless Oath

I summon what little strength I have and pull my wrists apart, begging for the ties to come undone. They loosen justenough for me to slip one hand out, but Alexandra’s fingers tighten around my throat.

I gasp for breath, scratching wildly at her skin. My nails dig into her face, leaving angry red crescent marks, but she doesn’t pull back.

She’s snarling at me like a rabid dog. Her eyes are wild and black—all pupil.She’s so out of it. Oh my god, I’m going to die.

With my last wheeze of breath, I manage to kick her off me.

“Stop,” I gasp, trying to get a full breath. “Stop.”

She launches at me again, but I block her, sending her flying across the room. She slams into the wall but jumps back up, running at me.

Glass shards from the broken bottle embed into her legs and feet, but it doesn’t stop her. She’s possessed by some psychotic spirit now, and nothing will slow her down.

I fight her off as best as I can, using the fact that I’m sober and quicker than her to my advantage. I duck under the table, popping up near Alessia’s chair.

“Go,” I whisper, nodding to the door. “Get outside. Go hide!”

She’s frozen in place, staring at the tablecloth still. I don’t want her to see this, but I can’t get her to move. Alexandra grabs for my ankle under the table, dragging me back under. We roll around under the table, fighting for dominance. The tablecloth gets ripped down at one point, sending dishes and plates of food onto the ground.

Glass shatters all around, water and wine dripping down the table onto the floor, but I finally manage to pin Alexandra down. I glance at Alessia’s little feet dangling from the chair, frozen in place.

Oh god, I can’t do it. I can’t kill her mother in front of her.

“Alexandra,” I growl into her ear as she fights me. “Calm down, and I won’t kill you.”

“Why?” She spits at me—actually spits. A disgusting wad of saliva drips down my cheek, and I shudder with revulsion. “I’d kill you. I’d kill you in front of the world. I don’t care who sees.”

“That’s the difference between you and me… I don’t wish you any harm,” I plead. “Let me properly restrain you so we can get you some help.”

I know my begging and pleading is accomplishing nothing when she starts laughing. That laugh—so depraved and dark—sears into my chest, sending shivers of fear through my veins. It’s a laugh I’ll remember as long as I live.

“You think I need help?” she growls, bucking me off. “I need you dead, that’s what I need.”

I see her thought pattern and act before she does, rolling off her and slipping out from under the table. She lunges after me, uncoordinated and clunky. I almost reach the first step when she tackles me back to the ground.

I ignore the sickening thud of my head slamming against the metal step and try my best to keep her hands away from my neck.

“Die!” she screams, trying to suffocate me.

“For fuck’s sake!” Enzo yells as the door flies open. I glance up at him, covered in blood, gun still in his hand.

“Help,” I breathe as her fingers wrap tightly around my throat again. The world starts to go dark, and I settle into the cozy blankness of nothing.

“Oh no you don’t,” a warm voice calls from somewhere in the distance.

Suddenly, Alexandra’s body is lifted off me and I suck in a deep breath, bringing me back. The room spins and I’m dizzy, but I force myself to power through it.

I see Enzo pinning her to the ground, shouting at me. His voice sounds like it’s moving through water, and I shake my head to clear it.

“Take the girl!” he’s yelling madly at me. “Take her and go up to the helm!”

I force myself up off the stairs, trying my best to avoid glass, and stumble over to Alessia. Her body is stiff, frozen in place, and I pry her out of her chair.

Sounds of struggle come from the other side of the room, and I desperately want to help Enzo, but I’m also pretty sure I’m concussed.

“Alessia,” I whisper urgently. “We need to go. Please?”

She finally relaxes the tiniest amount, but it’s enough for me to lift her up in my arms and run to safety. She never looks back at her mother, but I do.

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