Page 285 of Halfblood Deceived

CHAPTER 55

Aella jolted awake.

The first thing she became aware of was her splitting headache. It made her feel as if someone were drilling her skull.

The second? That she was no longer in the hospital visiting Jessa.

Given the scent, the movement, the sound of an engine, and the oppressive feel of a closed space, she was in the trunk of a car.

What the Hell? Aella wondered for a second, but then memories flashed in her mind’s eye.

She remembered Diana falling, paralyzed by whatever that nurse had injected her with. And the casual way that damn nurse had spoken of killing Diana. Please protect Diana, please; she begged whoever was listening. The sense-memory of a needle cutting through her neck as Hudson injected her with that icy, burning drug made her shiver.

Where am I? What’s happening? Who took me?

Aella’s mind raced, but her body remained drug-heavy.

She squirmed, realizing her hands were tied behind her back with thick cuffs. She couldn’t see anything because there was a hood on her head.

The car stopped.

Aella’s heart raced as the sound of a door opening and closing reached her ears.

“Stay calm. Examine your surroundings. If possible, pretend you are still unconscious,” said the echo of Aylana’s voice in her head.

Teeth gritted, Aella obeyed her inner Aylana.

Stay calm, she commanded herself. You can do this.

Someone yanked open the trunk door.

And then, that someone was touching her.

Someone with huge, rough hands.

Every fighting instinct in Aella roared to life and sent her adrenaline levels to impossible heights.

One of those hands gripped her breast so hard she was sure a bruise bloomed at once.

A panicked cry ripped from her throat.

I can’t do this! Aella thought, kicking out blindly with all the strength she could muster.

A male grunt reached her ears, and the hands were off of her.

She jumped out of the trunk and landed on solid, hot concrete firmly on her feet. Part of her mind wondered how the Hells she had managed that, but she had no time to wonder.

Her senses pricked, and she felt someone lunging to grab her.

Aella dodged, and they gripped the black hood, ripping it off.

The sunlight was blinding. Aella blinked several times to clear her sight—

Eli was standing mere feet away from her.

No.

No!

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