Page 150 of Fractured Fates

“I know,” I say.

“Says you killed his little brother.” His gaze swims all over me and he scoffs. “I don’t see how that’s possible, a scrawny little thing like you.”

“Maybe I’m stronger than I look,” I hiss at him, struggling against the confines of this magic he’s wrapped me in.

He frowns again and, squeezing his free hand into a fist, tightens the binds. It’s like nothing I’ve experienced before. Powerful and solid.

“Are you now?” he says. “Then do you want to play after all, little mouse?”

He’s toying with me. He thinks he’s caught me and like a cat with its prey, he’ll let me run, then stomp on my tail.

But I’ve had enough games. I haven’t endured all the crap I have this term, to end up another toy for some psychopath in a dark alley. No way.

I close my eyes, take an inhale, and focusing with all my might, blast through his magic with everything I have.

The force of it blows us apart, both of us stumbling backwards.

If he’s shocked by my display of power, if he’s in any way impressed, he doesn’t show it on his face. If anything the psychopath looks excited, as if this was just what he was hoping for.

“Ahhh, well, shit, little mouse, maybe there is more to you after all. And you’re not going to make it easy for me?” He grins, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Come on then little mouse, let’s see what more you have.”

It took a considerable chunk of my magic to break through his powerful binds and now I’m seriously depleted; my legs feel like jelly and my head thumps again from the assault it took last night.

But I’m not giving up. I’m not giving up without a fight. My aunt gave her entire life to keep me safe. She endured more pain than one person ever should.

I won’t let her down now by succumbing to this man. I won’t allow my own stupidity in trusting Andrew to be my downfall.

No.

No way.

I delve deep inside my body, calling on all the energy I can muster from every nerve and every cell. I draw it out with all my might, roaring with pain as I send it all thundering towards the man before me.

His eyes grow wide with shock but it doesn’t last for long. He manages to dodge some of the assault, some of my magic hitting him hard on the shoulder and making him hiss. His eyes and his face darken and he sends a volley my way in retaliation.

I block some, holding my arms in front of my face and shielding myself. His magic bounces and splinters on my arm and I scream as my flesh burns.

“Seems there is more to you than I realized,” I hear him taunt through the swirling mist. “Maybe Marcus is a fool to want you dead. Maybe he could make use of you instead.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you!” My arms fall to my sides, hanging limp. My legs shake. I want to collapse to the ground, curl up in a ball and sleep.

“In that case, you don’t need to fight,” he whispers, his words seeming to swim through the air and curl around me. “I could make it quick. With the knife. You wouldn’t feel a thing.”

My eyes fall shut. His words are like a lullaby, soothing and seductive, lulling me into sleep.

I struggle to open my eyes and see him pacing toward me, closing the gap between us.

I lift my fingers, willing magic from my body with everything I have. A few sparks splinter into the air, hissing, fizzing and dying by his feet.

He comes closer still and this time I feel the cold tentacles of his magic curling around my body. He peers down into my face, my eyes forced upwards to meet his.

“You put up a good fight, little mouse,” he says with a smirk. “Would you like to beg now, plead for your life. I always love it when they beg.”

“Fuck you,” I mumble, my body so exhausted I can hardly remain upright.

He hooks a forefinger under my chin, the metal of his ring cold against my skin.

“Now that isn’t very nice, is it? And here I was, promising to be nice to you. To make this painless. I can change my mind.”