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The man sagged against me, and I sank to the deck to catch him.

My heart ached, and my throat burned as his movements slowed, then went still, blue gaze staring sightlessly over my shoulder at the dark sky.

"No!" I cried, pressing my hands against his wound as I looked to Frexin. "I'll obey. I'll do whatever you want. Please, just —"

"It's too late," Frexin said with a shrug.

Sobs ripped through me as I pressed harder against the wound, willing the man to come back to life.

He didn't move, didn't blink … and he never would again. He'd never see another sunrise. Never hug his family. Never take another breath …

This man, who'd saved me without thought, was dead.

Because of me.

Why did this keep happening? I — I tried so hard …

"KAIYA!" A sharp crack sounded and a fiery pain burned my cheek as Frexin shook her gloved hand, dark eyes narrowed. "Don't make me ask again."

A spike of panic surged through me, and I forced myself to focus on her.

She would never yield — never stop — until her mission was complete.

I understood that now.

There was no way to escape, and there never would be …

"Yes, ma'am," I whispered, looking down at the dead man in my arms. "I — I am yours."

"Good," she said with a clap. "Very good!"

Her footsteps drew close, her fingers curling around my shoulder.

"These little lessons are painful," she said, voice consoling. "But at times like this, theyarenecessary, Kaiya. I hope you see that one day." She leaned closer until she could whisper for just me to hear. "And onceyou help me capture this last creature, we'll finally be able to put unpleasantries like this behind us forever."

I didn't believe her, but dissent was no longer an option. I'd find that damn creature, no matter what it took.

She patted my shoulder once, then walked away, heeled boots clicking against the deck.

I bent down to the man in my arms. "I'm sorry," I whispered, rocking him softly.

"I swear, I won't let it ever happen again."

Chapter 19

Kaiya

Strange hands pulled the warm body from my arms, and I weakly tried to stop them. But it was no use.

Why had I resisted Frexin in the first place? Why wasn't I more careful after her first lesson?

I was lifted to my feet, blindfolded, and a collar was snapped once more around my neck — immediately helping to numb my mind.

None of it was necessary, though. I wouldn't fight — wouldn't resist.

Deep down, some part of me hated that, demanding I scream, fight back — do something — anything at all.

But a weight like a mountain pushed that little voice down.