Page 64 of Beastkin
Phoenix
Icouldn’t believe I was back in my room again, the one I never wanted to return to. It was still empty, my endless bag filled with all my possessions left at the academy under my bed. My childhood bedroom felt more like a prison than ever. Except this time, it was barren, like a real cell. And my hands were bound with a magical rope that suppressed my abilities and was impossible to break free of.
I sat on the edge of my mattress, staring at the rope binding my wrists. The magical fibers seemed to pulse with their own malevolent energy, drinking in my power and leaving me feeling hollow. Every time I tried to summon even a spark of flame, the rope tightened, sending sharp jolts of pain up my arms.
The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Thomas standing in the doorway with the most satisfied smirk I’d ever seen on his face. My stomach dropped as pieces of a horrible puzzle began clicking into place. I’d been right all along. He’d been watching me.
“Well, well,” he drawled, leaning against the doorframe like he owned the place. “Look who’s finally back where hebelongs.”
“Thomas?” My voice came out as barely a whisper. “What are you doing here?”
He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him with deliberate slowness. “Your parents invited me, of course. They were so grateful when I told them about your... extracurricular activities.”
The blood drained from my face. “So, it wasyoutold them about Karrick.”
“About the disgusting beast you’ve been spreading your legs for? Oh yes, I told them everything.” His eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction. “Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? All those nights you’d sneak back into our dorm, reeking of his animal musk.”
I tried to stand, but the rope’s magic made me dizzy and weak. Maybe I could appeal to his better nature. “You don’t understand?—”
“I understand perfectly,” Thomas snapped, his facade of politeness finally cracking. “You’re a disgrace to our kind. Rolling around in the dirt with some half-breed monster when you should be preserving the purity of your bloodline.”
My hands clenched into fists despite the rope’s painful constriction. “He’s not a monster. He’s worth ten of you.”
Thomas laughed, a cold, bitter sound. “Is that what you tell yourself? That your perverted little romance is somehow noble?” He moved closer, and I could see the disgust written plainly on his face. “Your parents are going to fix you, Phoenix. They’re going to make younormalagain.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me!” The words tore from my throat, raw with desperation and fury.
“We’ll see about that.” Thomas turned toward the door, then paused. “Oh, and don’t bother trying to reach out to your precious beast through whatever sick connection you think you have. I made sure to throw him off your trail before your parents collected you. He’s probably still running around campus like a lost dog, wondering where his favorite chew toy went.”
“Why are you doing this?!” I called after him. “What’s in it for you?”
Thomas glanced back, smiling. “The Emberwoods are a powerful family. One that I want to be connected to.”
My gut twisted. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” he said, stepping forward and grabbing me by the chin. “That once your parents have wiped your memory again, they’re going to owe me for what I’ve helped them protect.” He turned my head side to side, his smile growing almost manic. “And then I’m going to claim my prize.”
I furrowed my brows, my teeth clenching.
“That’s right,” he nodded. “You.”
I yanked my face away from his grip, disgust and terror warring inside me. “My parents would never agree to something like that.”
“You’d be surprised what they’re willing to do to keep their precious bloodline pure,” Thomas smirked. “They’d rather see you with me than that beast.”
“I’lldiebefore I end up with you,” I growled, snapping at Thomas’s hand in a desperate attempt to get him away from me.
White hot pain exploded across my face an instant later, the sound of skin on skin not reaching my ears until it had faded. I grimaced, looking up at him as the heat spread over my cheek.
“That beast has corrupted you,” Thomas hissed, holding the hand he’d slapped me with. “But no matter. Once your parents have modified your memories, that’ll go away.” He leaned down close once more, keeping just enough distance so I couldn’t try to bite him again. “And once your mine, I’ll make sure to do my own adjustments to make you docile and subservient.” He looked me up and down, licking his teeth. “Let’s just hope that Beastkin hasn’t ruined your body yet. Because I’m definitely gonna take my time with that.”
I couldn’t stop myself from spitting in his face.
Thomas recoiled, wiping his cheek with disgust. “You little?—”
“Get out!” I shouted, my voice breaking as I struggled against my bindings. Despite their power, the sheets under me began to smolder as my magic tried to break through. “Get out!”
He narrowed his eyes, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “I’m going to enjoy breaking that fire in you.” Then he turned and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.