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I’d heard them all, but even in the era of Queen Jasmine and her Bonded triad, the rumors sounded more like magic than biology. Yet, all the rumors were true. I feel stronger, faster, and more focused. My senses are attuned, and my brain whirrs like a computer. I feel more powerful than I ever have before – even when I was fighting alongside Ling.

But no matter how powerful I feel, I’m still trapped. My enhanced abilities are useless trapped in here.

I tap my temple, trying to think like Ling taught me to.

I need to find a way to use my new strengths to get us out of here.

Just as Ling taught me, I go back over and analyse every clue and detail I might have witnessed – and then I get it. I click my fingers.

Lord Oblog mightthinkhe knows everything there is about the Bond – but he didn’t mention my enhanced strength when he spoke about it – and speak about it, he did. I remember how he’d delighted in explaining all about the Bond, and how he knew about my telepathic connection with the three Aurelians.

But if he knew similarly about my enhanced strength, why wouldn’t he have mentioned it? Despite the Sentinel bodyguards, Lord Oblog still treated me as if I was no threat to him – the same weak, human female he’d confronted before.

He’d got close enough for me to try and stab his heart out before – and he acted like he was still as nonchalant about the threat I posed now.

He doesn’t know about my strength!

But how can I use that to my advantage?

I gulp dryly, and face the grim truth of our current situation.

A plan forms – one that terrifies, and revolts, and disgusts me. Nevertheless, I force myself to imagine it happening – of allowing myself to be alone with Gab’nah.

That Bullfrog looks at me with sadistic hatred. He’s eager to claim me, to ruin me, and torture me. His fervid desire and rampant hatred blind him, though – he’s as…impracticalas Lord Oblog claimed.

If I allow myself to be alone with Gab’nah, he’ll be expecting me to have the strength of a normal human female – as powerless as a rag doll to a towering, ten-feet-tall creature like him.

But that means he’ll treat me like a fragile toy, as well – remembering Lord Oblog’s warning not to permanently damage me. He’ll have to hold back when he grips me, not wanting to shatter my limbs. He’ll have to restrain himself as he undresses me, not wanting to split me in two when he finally fucks me…

Except that slimy bastard will never get the chance.

Not now that I have the strength of three grown men. The Bond might not have given me strength enough to conquer a beast like Gab’nah – but Icansurprise him…

If his arrogance, rage, and sadistic lust leave him vulnerable for even a second, I can take the opportunity. Only, I’ll have justonechance...

But Ling always told me: “One chance is all you need, if you take it.”

Oh, I’ll take it, alright. If I need to, I’ll bite Gab’nah’s fucking cock off. Maybe that’s my plan – to castrate him with my teeth, and then dodge his blows with my enhanced speed and reflexes long enough for the slimy bastard to bleed to death.

It’s not much of a plan – but it’s a plan.

Tessa peels the blankets back further.

“Do… Do you really think I’m going to get out of here?”

I turn to her and nod – reaching out and gently rubbing her foot beneath the covers. She relaxes ever so slightly at my touch.

“I do believe it,” I promise. Then I ask: “Did they hurt you?”

She shakes her head.

“No, they didn’t. I don’t even think Oblog even noticed me. He didn’t care if I watched or not. I was there for your benefit, not his. He just wanted me to be on a leash, at his feet.”

Tessa might be frightened, but she’s smart.

Lord Oblog just wanted the four of us to see how easily he keeps Tessa compliant. She was just a display of his power.

Where did they take you?