Page 194 of Ravaged Soul

“No need to be bitter. We’ll be home together soon enough.”

Horror stabs through me, carving a gaping chasm. “What happened to wanting revenge?”

“Ah,” he hums. “That was before I laid eyes on you. Now I’m feeling more remorseful. After a period of correction for your recent behaviour, I’m sure we can find a new role for you.”

I’ll crack my skull against these bars and join Axel on death’s door before taking whatever job offer Gael’s conjuring up. From the sick, happy leer on his face, it won’t involve the fighting pits this time.

“777 here is leaving with her master to parts unknown now that you’ve brought the authorities to his door. So say yourgoodbyes. We’ll be leaving too once I’ve paid that belligerent bounty hunter.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“My dear friend, Nolan, gave me permission to sample his plaything if you dared to question me. So by all means, protest. I’ll make you watch as I take poor little Gracie for a ride.”

“Don’t leave me again.” Gracie grabs my wrist, still weeping. “Please, Ember.”

“I rather think she wants it. Don’t you?” Gael grins at us.

Frustration threatens to suffocate me, knowing that the odds of breaking his neck from behind these bars are nil. It’s been six years, but I still find myself in the same conundrum. I have no choice but to play along to get him within reach.

“Leave her alone. I’ll come.”

“No!” Gracie wails panickily.

Still I ignore her, cutting off all emotion.

“Ah.” His smile fades. “Disappointing.”

“What happens to Axel? He needs to go to a hospital.”

“That isn’t my concern. The Hunter can do what he pleases with his kill.”

Pulling a sheath of keys from his suit pocket, Gael searches for the wrought gold one then bends down to unlock the cage. He holds a silvery brow up in invitation. No handcuffs. The threat against Gracie is enough.

“Let me say goodbye,” I blurt, rising to exit the cage. “To him.”

“You’ve grown soft. We’ll be having none of that.”

“Please… I’ll come quietly. Whatever you want. Just let me say goodbye one last time.”

Keeping my arms and fists relaxed at my sides, I stop in front of him with the same obedience that his trainer beat into me. It isn’t hard to find that mental prison. Stuff myself inside of it. Bite my tongue. All the things that once kept me alive.

Gael slides a finger along my jaw, tilting my head up to peer down at me with those calculating eyes. Malice writhes in the pale yellow hue, unveiling the devil who hides behind his handsome mask.

“Say goodbye, 768. You will never be permitted to look at or speak to another soul again. If I decide to let you out of my bedroom in the next ten years, it will be to source a replacement when I grow tired of ripping you open each night.”

Real fear snakes through me, almost causing my act to falter.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I confirm.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes… Señor Gael.”

“Good. Make it quick.”

He keeps a keen eye on me while unlocking Axel’s cage. I deliberately don’t look at Gracie, a curled-up, crying wreck left behind in our cell. My whole focus is on getting to Axel.