Page 206 of The Delta's Rogue
Being chained to the bed in the cell upon arrival. The realization that my red choker was no longer tied around my ankle. Brenna’s hands wandering over my body as she peered into my thoughts. The electric sensation of my blood used against me to make me do whatever they wanted. The gnawing emptiness in my stomach when I wouldn’t comply and they refused to let me eat. The way a part of me died when I gave in and pretended to be the perfect little pet Amara wanted me to be. The way my dreams warped, and I couldn’t remember what version of Sebastian was the real one. And the utter helplessness that flooded me when they sent me up onto that stage with no clothing, to sell me to the highest bidder.
As the moments replay, I lash out at Nuncio harder. My blows fall faster, swipe after swipe, my claws slicing through his skin with no resistance.
Each memory is a reminder of how extensively they broke me. But each time my claws meet his skin, I take back a piece of myself, a piece of my strength, a piece of my heart.
I take all of it back. Everything they stole from me falls back into place. It may be slightly off center. The pieces may be jagged and may not fit together the way they used to. But they are mine once more. They are mine, and no one can take them from me.
Soy libre. I’m free.
“He’s gone, Sarina.” Sebastian’s voice breaks through my bloodlust and brings me back to reality. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”
I slash through Nuncio’s body one more time, and then I back away, stumbling over my feet as I do.
Nuncio’s body is unrecognizable, torn to shreds by my brutal, unrestrained attacks.
Sebastian’s hands curl around my upper arms to hold me steady, but I yank myself from him with a yelp, my shoulders and chest heaving with every breath. Tears blur my vision as I press a bloodstained hand against my heart.
Sebastian stops two steps from me. “I’m here when you’re ready,cariño.”
I stroll away from him, closing my eyes. The battle continues, the warriors and the traffickers unaware of the personal war I just won.
Sebastian’s love and support weave around me like a safety net, reminding me I bear none of this alone. Through it all, through every challenge I will face during my life, he will be there with me—behind me, or at my side, or protecting me with his own life. He will never abandon me.
“Their numbers are dwindling,”Riven reports to everyone through the link.“There aren’t many left.”
“I think we’ve gotten all the witches as well,”Dominic says.“We kept as many alive as we could, but we’re still searching for Amara. I’m not sure where she is exactly. Her scent keeps bouncing around, and…”
His voice fades into the background as the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. A chill runs through my body, followed by a shooting, staggering pain that sets my every cell on fire with its electric grip.
No.No es posible. It’s not possible.
My body seizes up, frozen in place. I try to move, to run, to fight, to shift—something—but nothing happens. I’m stuck in place against my will, unable to do anything.
I scream, fighting against the magic controlling me. The scream echoes across the grounds and bounces off the buildings. Shrill and bloodcurdling, it sends birds into the sky and gives pause to every wolf on the battlefield.
“Sarina?” Sebastian whispers.
Dread coagulates in my stomach like tar. My body spins without my permission, turning to face Sebastian. Sobs rattle my lungs and shake my shoulders, but those are the only movements I make of my own accord.
Pain shoots through my veins as I push against the blood magic manipulating me. I push and push andpush, but there is no point.
I’m powerless to stop this.
“Lo siento, mi vida,”I say in my mind, unsure if he can hear me, if the mindlink works when someone is controlling me.I’m sorry, my love.
Confusion wrinkles Sebastian’s brow and concern gleams in his eyes.
Another sputtering sob leaves me as my knees bend. Then I fly across the grass towards him, my arms outstretched and my claws aimed at his throat.
I barely have timeto react as Sarina launches herself towards me. Her hands slice through the air, and I dodge out of her reach just in time so her claws swipe across my shoulder instead of through my throat.
Before I can hiss in pain or staunch the blood, she’s on me again. I duck and somersault, but she grabs my ankle and drags me backwards. I flip to my back as she dives onto me. I wrap my hands around her wrists to keep her claws away from me, and we grapple on the ground, where we roll, twist, and spin to gain the upper hand against each other.
Through it all, tears stream down Sarina’s cheeks. Her teeth grind together. Pain and remorse shine in her eyes, and the utter helplessness she felt the night of the auction—the brokenness we worked so hard to heal—leaks back into her soul.
“What the hell?” Reid hovers at the edge of our fight, looking for an opening so he can intervene. “Why is Sarina attacking you?”
“I don’t know!” I gasp, locking my arms to keep Sarina’s body in the air.
