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I knew he wasn’t lying.

“Not so tough now, are you?” Creed snarled as he grabbed a fistful of my hair, wrenching my head back. “Where’s that fire of yours? Don’t tell me it’s gone so soon.”

I laughed, the sound harsh and bitter as I spat a mouthful of blood into his face. “Right here, you bastard.”

Creed’s first slammed into my jaw, snapping my head to the side.

Blood pooled in my mouth, but still I grinned up at them—my teeth stained crimson.

Monty’s boot connected with my ribs, and I felt something snap inside of me. My chin fell to my chest, gasping for air as Monty crouched in front of me.

His cold eyes pierced into mine as he spoke. “Tell me where my whore of a wife is.”

“Go to hell,” I rasped, my voice raw.

Monty’s hand flew to my neck, his fingers closing around my throat and tightening, cutting off my air. I thrashed against the ropes holding me down, searing pain roaring against every movement as black spots danced at the edge of my vision.

Just as darkness threatened to devour me, he released my neck and I gulped down air. Each breath sent a stabbing pain through my shattered ribs.

I watched as a light flared in the corner of the room, the glow of fire making the shadows dance for us as my body screamed in agony. Alexi stepped from the shadows, a cruel gleam in his eye as my gaze fell to his hands.

My heart seized as raw terror ripped through me.

His fists were wrapped around a glowing brand, the end shaped into a vicious, jagged blade.

That was the first moment I considered begging.

Considered pleading for my life.

I couldn’t be burned.

Not again.

The memory still hadn’t faded and I didn’t know if I could survive it a second time—even without the Svech.

Tears pooled in my eyes as Alexi took a step toward me and I prayed to whatever Gods would listen not to let them do this.

But they didn’t answer.

Theyneveranswered.

I should have prayed to the devil instead.

The stench of burning flesh filled the air as an inhuman shriek tore from my throat, my body arching against the restraints as the brand melted into my stomach. White hot agony exploded across my abdomen for a second time and I thrashed wildly, my screams shredding my lungs as they echoed off the walls. Pain consumed every atom in my body, tears streaming down my face as I clung to consciousness.

A sob wracked over my limbs as I watched Alexi reheat the tip of the brand from the ball of fire flickering from his palm, the sharp tip glowing molten orange.

“Where is the bitch?” Monty snarled as Alexi closed his fist, snuffing out the fire and pinned his eyes back on to mine.

“I will . . .” I panted. “N-never tell you.”

The searing tip plunged into my side and an animalistic howl ripped from my chest, every nerve ending on fire with blistering torment. He pulled it from between my ribs and I slumped forward against the restraints as smoke curled from the charred hole in my side.

“Now that we have worked the fight out of you, the fun can really begin,” Jasper said, smirking as his blade tore through the fabric of my tunic. He ripped it open, and silence fell as my scars stared back at them.

I met his gaze as a sneer curled onto my lips. “Do your worst. I’ve survived horrors that you pathetic excuses for men would crumble in the face of.”

Creed’s face twisted with rage as he shoved a cloth into my mouth. I gagged as he lodged it deep into my airway.