Page 110 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

Chapter 43

A Gift

Sandra stood before me.

Her hands were locked in a tight rope in front of her. Her terrified gaze met my own.

Silent tears slid down my cheeks.

Through the fear that shone bright in her eyes, Sandra whispered, “I love you.”

The bars of my cell slid open as my hands held onto the wall behind me, refusing to let go. I closed my eyes, willing my mind to wake up. I was asleep. This was just a nightmare.

Several heavy steps rushed out of the dungeon, leaving silence to take their place. I did not breathe, did not move—

A terrifying bellow echoed through the dungeon.

My eyes flew open, traveling down the traces of crimson on Sandra’s wrists. Kane dropped the piece of crimson covered glass I had broken earlier as he walked out of the dungeon, leaving me and Sandra alone.

Crimson flowed down her fingers, dripping onto the stone floor. “It’s all right, it’s all right,” she kept whispering as dozens of tears fell from her eyes.

Sandra collapsed onto her knees as the floor turned crimson in mere seconds. The crimson escaped her body in a strong wave.

Blood.My head spun drunk as the long forgotten smell burned my nostrils, daring me to feed the starving beast.

The world stopped when my legs carried me across the cell despite my pleas. The world ended as my hands wrapped around her wrists when my treasonous teeth found her wounds.

“It’s all right,” her voice vibrated through my mind, as a cry escaped my lips.

Stop! Stop!

Her blood traveled down my throat, easing the pain and fire. Her blood traveled down my throat, breaking my bones in half.

Stop!

My muscles didn’t obey me, my jaw was locked on her wrist, despite the screams, despite the pleas. A roar escaped me, yet it did not scare away the beast that willed me.

Let go!My hands squeezed even tighter. I fell down on my knees, drying her empty.

Stop!

Every drop of her blood erased any clear thoughts, every cry that escaped my lips made my heart beat slower.

“Cordelia!” A scream broke through the walls of my mind. “Stop!” Someone’s strong hands dragged me off of my sister.

“Cordelia!” Caleb’s hand struck across my face, bringing me back to reality.

My foggy vision cleared. “Sandra?” I dropped onto the stone floor before my sister who kneeled in a pool of blood.