Page 13 of Feeding Frenzy (Crimson Coven #3)

THIRTEEN

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“Please,” the crack in his voice forced me back to the present. Jax’s voice wouldn’t let me rest. I wanted to shout at him, but I just had no energy for it. Couldn’t he leave me in peace? “I beg you, Kitten, wake up .”

The desperation coating his voice ripped me to the surface and I fought to open my heavy eyelids. At this angle, with my chin lolling closer to my chest, my gaze fell on Imogen near the door. She stood frozen.

She suddenly moved to the end of the bed.

“You beg a human?” Imogen hissed. “You lower yourself to one?” Her infuriated gaze was on Jax.

“Let her go,” he responded.

“You beg?” she spat. “ You begged this maggot?” She appeared at my bedside. A fist flew at my face.

My nose cracked and blood flooded my mouth. Tears came like a torrent, and I cried out. Using my non broken leg, I tried to scoot back, but she grabbed my foot and crunched it in her fist.

My scream came soundlessly, and everything faded.

“Kitten,” Jax shouted from somewhere much too far away.

I must have lost consciousness for a second. Pressure settled over my chest.

“How could they want a worthless human?” Her poisonous words didn’t even touch me. I was already floating away. Pressure on my chest made it difficult to breathe.

I forced my eyes open to find Imogen sitting on my chest. Her eyes glinted with a frightening sheen. I choked on blood even as it leaked from the corner of my mouth.

“Jax, tell her she’s worthless.” Another slap that made my ears ring. Vomit rose again.

“She’s worthless,” he gritted out.

“Don’t be cute, Jaxon.” She hissed and gripped my chin, forcing my neck to twist to the side. “Tell your little human.”

His wide eyes flicked side to side like pinned prey.

“You are worthless.” The words sounded ripped from him.

“That no one could want her,” she continued.

“No one could want you.” Even though it wasn’t him, my agonized brain just felt pain. Tears spilled from the corners of my eyes.

Her clawed hands wrapped around my throat and her other one yanked the top of my hair, so my head straightened.

“I want to see life flee your eyes.”

Her hand joined the one around my neck and her fingers pushed into sensitive skin, cutting off my oxygen.

“Imogen,” Jax snarled. “Let her go. I’ll do as you wi?—”

“Quiet.” He shut up at her order.

My heart stuttered and my lungs seized. I thrashed under her, but didn’t manage to budge her.

A cell phone rang, breaking through my choking gasps. She did not let go. The ringing fell away then started up again.

She snarled and lifted one hand. The slight movement allowed me to suck in a breath. She fished inside her corset and lifted the phone to her ear. Her eyes widened and a sneer curled her lips. She shoved the phone back in her bra.

“Looks like our fun is over.”

Imogen’s eyes met mine. In a sudden move, she rammed her hand against my side. A loud crunch took my breath away and I could only whimper. Pure, searing agony blinded me.

“No,” Jaxon bellowed.

She turned her head as if listening for something. My next breath wheezed, and an alarming about of blood spread on my tongue.

“Bingo, I managed to rupture her lung.” Her grin spread. “None of you will be able to heal her from that in time.”

I coughed, spraying blood across her face. She looked down at me in disgust and swiped the back of her hand across her cheek, smearing red across it. Imogen lifted off me and moved to peck Jax’s temple.

“You should have stayed faithful.” She clicked her tongue. “I best not see any of you with another female. You are welcome to try and save her Jaxon. It will amuse me to watch you try.” With that, she was gone.

I coughed again. Liquid continued to trickle from the corner of my mouth. There was so much pain. I whimpered. If that bitch wanted me to suffer a slow, painful death she succeeded. My vision faded.

A palm brushed my hair back.

“No, Catalina.” Jax’s face swam before me. He sounded so heart wrenchingly desperate.

I watched him through swimming eyes, my blinks became more and more difficult.

A copper taste coated my tongue.

Jax , I mouthed and hacked up more blood. His fangs sank into his wrists, and he shoved his wrist against my lips.

“Please,” he croaked, looking at me, his shoulders bunched as he hunched over me. “Drink. Quickly.” Tears traveled down his face, and the red-tinged liquid dripped onto my cheek.

“I can’t,” I struggled to say. It sounded like nonsense. I gurgled up more blood, no longer able to keep my eyes open.

I was so lightheaded.

“Please, hold on Kitten. Please.”