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“Don’t go,” I choked out.

“I can’t help it.” Tears trekked down her cheeks. She slammed the door shut behind her. I breathed harshly as I dragged myself upright. My stomach felt unsteady. And it was so hot.

“Jax,” I shouted, the panic in my voice obvious. “Jaxon!”

A scratch at the door froze me. It sounded like someone dragging their nails down the wood. The hair on my arms stood and I scooted to the edge of the bed.

The door swung open with the hiss of fabric moving. A wide skirt rustled through the entrance.

Imogen . . . She closed the door. My body gave out and I slumped against Asher’s headboard.

I licked my lips nervously, digging my fingers into my palm. She took another step closer.

“I fucking knew it,” I said. I couldn’t lift my head.

Imogen clicked her tongue.

“I’m sure you know everything.”

“Condescending bitch,” I slurred.

Her eyebrows raised.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” She tilted her head like she would be able to understand me better.

“Ffff-k yhou.” My tongue felt especially heavy. She gripped my ankles and pulled them, spreading me on flat on the bed. My head flopped to the side. I followed her with my eyes as she approached until she stood over me with a grin.

“Would you look at this?” She clicked her tongue disapprovingly again. “Let me help you with that.”

I couldn’t even turn my head up to look as she gripped my forearm. I could feel it being lifted, but I had no control over my movement. My heart pounded a mile a minute. The cuffs clanged against the headboard. She jerked on my arm and excruciating pain traveled through my fingertips.

Tears flooded my eyes, and my scream was muffled behind my lips. A loud pop came on the heels of mind-numbing agony. A ringing filled my ears. I couldn’t move, but all I wanted to do was huddle into a ball. She patted my now free hand and it sent agony spiking up to my elbow.

“Don’t worry, the dose was just right.” She grinned down at me and smoothed my hair back. “You should be able to talk soon.”

She settled on the edge of the bed, staring down at me with cold eyes.

“You have been quite the thorn in my side.” She sighed. “Like a cockroach, refusing to die. A car didn’t take you out, a vampire I sent confused another female for you, and the mercenary I hired didn’t succeed.” Her laugh held a bite to it.

I knew it! She’d been behind the attacks. “Such accusation in your eyes. As if you weren’t the one invading my territory. Truly,it was a surprise how well you wrapped the stupid males around your fingers. It was quite disappointing.” She let out a deep sigh and returned to petting my hair back. Her face remained serene as she studied me. “What surprised me most was how you turned Jaxon and my brother from me.” She clicked her tongue. “But don’t worry, they’ll get over you quickly.”

My lips began to tingle.

“You like talking don’t you,” I said, slowly enunciating my words. My jaw and lips felt weird, but at least I could move them now.

“Quite,” she said smiling. “You know what else I like?” She leaned closer. “Screams.”

Her hand settled on my wrist, and she put weight on it. Stabbing agony splintered through my bone. I screamed so loud my ears rang. She didn’t let up on her weight, just continued to pulverize what was left of my fractured arm. My scream cut off with a grunt and a crunch reached my ears.

Nausea rolled through my stomach and the room spun. She lifted her hand off my injury. She smacked my cheek hard. The sting reached my temple.

“Don’t pass out on me now. I want to savor your pain.”

“Stop,” I croaked. “Please.”

She threw her head back.

“You broke much too easily—so disappointing.” She chortled. “Come now, make it fun for me.” I blinked with effort. “How about I tell you just what you’ve attempted to take from me? Hmm?”