Page 105 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Jack’s eyes narrow on my face, and the pressure shifts forward to my opening. Jack pushes his fists against my pelvis, pinning me in place. The pain from my face becomes background noise as whatever is wrong with my stomach flails against his weight, and I scream so loud into the gag that my voice breaks. Jack tenses his muscles, on the brink of doing something that will change the both of us for the worse. But before he can, something snaps, and a familiar swell of power rushes through me. Closing my eyes, I release it in a sharp thrust—my muscles jerk. The weight from my body disappears, and a whack against the concrete accompanies the snap of bones.

Tears run into my ears as sleep tries to pull me under. Adrenaline should be shooting through my veins—my coffee must have been drugged.

Lying limp on the bed, my power is once again absent, burnt out, I cling to the pain to keep me conscious—my insides burn like I’ve been skewered with a hot poker. Panic nearly overwhelms me as I tremble, fearing the damage might be irreparable. My body cramps, trying to force me to curl into a tight ball. Instead, I’ll have to wait until I’m found. I swallow the burning bile that rises in my throat. Think, Natia! How can you break free?

My inspection of the room reveals no inspiration. I’ll need to wait until the drugs wear off, by which point the guys will know something is wrong. I only ever close my door, but never lock it. I could be found by anyone—or worse, everyone.

Best possible scenario—I control who finds me.

The mental link.

Fighting to focus my mind, I prepare to reach Duncan, and then pause. Could I bear for him to see me like this? But if anyone is going to see me, it should be my best friend. Forcing my mind to focus past the pain and onto Duncan, I imagine invisible threads connecting my mind to his. I feel a slight tug.

“Duncan?”No answer. The thread goes slack. I try again, but still, nothing.

I contemplate Zee and Aaden, but I can’t bring myself to do it. There’s only one other choice… I consider waiting it out. But it could be Uncle Charlie who finds me. My internal muscles constrict, wrecking my body and making me strain against the bonds. My wrists drip with blood.

“Archan,”I whisper. The thread is strong and snaps into place immediately.

“What’s wrong?”

My tears flow freely as relief washes over me.“I’m—”I cry out as lightning slices my hips.

“You’re hurt. Where are you?”

“At the compound.”

“Where the fuck is that?”

That’s right, he doesn’t know. Telling him compromises the SIP.“Get Duncan. Tell him I need help,”I moan, whimpering at the burning radiating down my legs.

“Fuck that. Tell me now.”

I stare at the ceiling through bleary eyes.“Promise me you won’t disclose the location to anyone else.”

“I promise. Tell me where you are.”

“Two levels beneath Crown Security, Inc., in an underground bunker.”

I feel like I’ve just betrayed everyone I love.

Minutes pass before a crash of power fills the room, and I groan as it pushes against me. Archan stands frozen at the side of the bed, sweeping his gaze over my mostly naked, swelling body. Raging flames surround his aura, like a multicolored sun. He removes my gag just as pain wraps around my abdomen so fierce it almost takes my consciousness. Bile rises in my throat again, and this time, I can’t stop it. I twist my head to the side and vomit over my pillow.

“Archan,” I plead, as a wave of shame washes over me. He meets my eyes with pity and anger.

“Don’t you dare…” I mutter, my voice trembling, “don’t youdarelook at me like that.”

He breaks my bonds with no effort, the ropes stinging as they slide from my wrists and ankles. Grasping my stomach, I roll to my side and catch a glimpse of the blood-covered sheets. Archan crouches in front of Jack, checking his pulse.

“Is he alive?” I ask hoarsely.

Instead of answering, he picks me up, cradling me in his arms. I arch my back and scream in agony at the change of position. A fresh rush of wetness coats my thighs, and I fight to stay awake as black dots dance in my vision.

“Hold on, I’ve got you,” he whispers softly, as space bends and colors flash by. This time, I barely notice them.

I’m back on Archan’s bed, where Nathan and Jed wait.

“Nobody but you,” I beg Archan, gripping his shirt.

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