Page 94 of Desolation

Zedd steps in my line of vision, forcing me to stare into his eyes. "Lana … you're safe."

My chest caves in as I pull the energy back into me. Sobs wrack my body as I fall into a pit of despair so deep, it suffocates me. My mates surround me, embracing me and reassuring me, but I don't feel their touch, don't hear their words. All I can think about is Ash, locked away in his body, so helpless and alone. What if he's lost to us forever?

Hale whispers into my ear. "We will get Ash back. I promise you."

Don't make promises you can't keep.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Anshar

The luscious redhead caresses me softly, trying to draw out my lust but only eliciting anger and disgust. Shoving her to the black stone floor, I yell, “Get out!”

She pleads from beneath my throne, wide-eyed and trembling. “My king, you always used me in your past life.”

Oslana would never lower herself to me like this.

Annoyed with the whore before me, I crack my neck and shoot a bolt of my dark energy straight into her heart, killing her instantly.

One less gnat to worry about.

“Sebastian! Come remove this pathetic excuse of a tramp from my chambers.”

Fuck, what terrible taste I had back then. Clearly I had been trying to fill the void of the true redhead that belongs on my lap, writhing beneath my touch.

Without a word, Sebastian drags her corpse out of the room by her hair, drawing a deep chuckle from my chest at his nonchalant attitude. I chose well with my second in command and he has done a fine job ruling in my place, since the collapse of the Light Kingdom forty years ago.

As he is about to leave my sight, I call out, “Is her room ready?”

He drops the dead body to the ground, a loud crack sounding from the skull as it hits the ground, drawing a smirk from my lips. “Yes, sir. All of your favorite items are in there and ready now. Do you expect her soon?”

I sigh, thinking of her love for the vermin. “She will come here for the human that lives inside me, locked away. She will be here soon. Still a fool, my queen."

But that can be beat out of her.

He nods and leans to grab the dead whore by the hair once more. “I added a new toy in there for you that I think you’ll enjoy. It flays the skin down to the bone with one swipe. It’s infused with dark magic from our witch.”

A tool fit to turn her into the queen I need her to be. Excellent.

My cock jumps at the thought of molding her into the version of her that I know she's capable of being. She will give herself to me, body and soul, as freely as she did to this boy. She will scream my name, finally submitting,finallyrecognizing, that I am her everything.

It's me or nothing.

I wave him off, enjoying the play-by-play of the different torture tactics that cross through my mind, my fingers itching to feel the handle of the whip in my hands.

I own you, Oslana. I may have to break a few limbs, tear off a few nails, and flay your delicious skin from your body until you accept it—but by the time I'm done with you, youwillaccept it.

Even rabid animals can be leashed.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lana

I feel like a hollow shell, dirty and broken.

Someone carries me to the shower, walking me under the water, fully-clothed, and holds me under the hot water as I wail, my despaired screams ringing against the four walls. Desperate words of reassurance bounce against my grief, never quite reaching me.

I cry for the violation I feel.