Page 3 of Tortured Soul
No matter that my face was probably covered by some kind of cheap and scratchy pillowcase, my brows pulled down in a frown. “What a dumb punchline to throw at an Immortal.”
Was fighting worth it? I mean, the man was clearly not alone here, and although I’ve been trained to fight and defend myself, the little voice in the back of my head that served as my survival instinct was unusually quiet.
It didn’t feel like I was in danger as of right now.At least as long as I listened to the one who told me not to fight.
So when a hand pushed me roughly between my shoulderblades and made me stumble forward, I grunted but did not retaliate.
As soon as I heard the footsteps that escorted me, I was glad I made that choice. Surrounding me and walking in front, next, and behind me, were at least ten beings.Immortalbeings.
I was outnumbered. Following the man’s order was the smart move. I could still try to fight my way out another time.
Other than our heavy footsteps, there was no other sound. I wasn’t sure how long we walked under the scorching heat, but my head pounded and my legs felt sore after riding for a few hours.
“I have no idea who you are and why you’re treating me like shit, but is all thisreallynecessary?” I asked.
No one answered.Great. If there was one thing I was praised for—sort of—was my ability to piss people off.
“I mean,is that a way to welcome friendly visitors? I rode days to reach this Hell hole, you could at least offer me a coffee.”
I heard a grunt from the man holding my arms at my back, nothing for the eight to twelve other pairs of footsteps. I held a cough when the wind blew dry hot sand under the pillowcase and against my face.
“Your little welcome committee is lacking serious manners if you ask me,” I taunted, blinking to try and get rid of the sand in my eyes. “I could help you improve that.I mean, it could hardly get any worse—” I mumbled. “I’ve been told in the past that I’m an exceptional—”
“Will you shut up already?” The man behind me sounded anything but amused as I smiled.Finallysome kind of reaction.
“Oh, so ittalks,” I crooned. “Good, so where are we on the coffee? Don’t worry, I’m not difficult. Black, no sugar, no milk. I’ll even accept one of those little freeze-dried instant…thingys. Won’t enjoy it, but I guess the gesture matters more than the taste.”
He wasn’t the only one to curse under his breath.We’re getting there, I thought. Maybe if I was annoying enough, they’d let me go. Where to? No idea. But I wasn’t a fan of the rough treatment outside of the bedroom, and only onmyterms.
I kept quiet for a little while, focusing on the people surrounding me. Their scent. Their aura. Their emotions.
Like I thought, they were definitely all Immortal. Humans gave off a different kind of energy and I could sense them as easily as a fresh pizza in the middle of the desert. They stood out. They smelled like repressed sins and misplaced arrogance. Like easy prey.
The people escorting me? Both women and men, Hellrisers and Divines, not to forget a few Earthwalkers.
What a cute and eclectic little party. If my eyes weren’t so dry because of the damn sand, I could almost cry.
“You’ve noticed I’m not fighting back, right? Don’t you think you could ease up a little?” I asked the Divine holding me. “My shoulders hurt.”
His hold tightened. “Look how I care,” he spat in my ear.
Fucking Divine men.
I stopped abruptly, stumbling only a little when his front collided with my back. Using the momentum, I arched against him, pressing my ass against his crotch. If asking nicely wasn’t doing it for him, I’dmakehim release me.
“Please continue, I love how dirty you speak to me,” I teased.
His hands let go of my arms abruptly as if our sudden contact burned him. He pushed me forward and I landed on my knees on the dry land. A sharp pain traveled up my legs as I bit on a cry.
Fucker.
“Rough much? And here I was, thinking you were probably just a boring fuck,” I panted, hiding the pain with a breathless chuckle.
“Don’t play games,” he groaned, kicking me in the ribs. He somehow managed to grab my hair through the thick pillowcase and lifted me up.I wouldn’t scream. Wouldn’t show my pain.“We don’t trust your kind here. You’re nothing but Lucifer’s bitch.”
“I usually like to know someone’s name before they start calling me one.” I choked on a breath at the sharp sting on my scalp.
He pushed me back on the floor with a disgusted grunt. I wished I could go back to kick Lucifer’s ass for sending me here.
