Page 80 of The Pregnancy Pact

“Cry, little human,” Sirena sneered. Her voice floated at me, otherworldly, in the darkness. “That is the smallest cry of pain you’ll utter.”

What?

The threat didn’t have time to process before a horrific pain took me in the side. I screamed, from shock, dismay, agony. That scream was cut short by another blow that landed on the opposite side, stealing my air.

They’re kicking me.

And that was my last rational thought.

Her two goons, some sort of species with long trunks like an elephant, black and green mottled skin, and antennas, showed no pity. Over the sound of my own cries, I heard Sirena laughing, encouraging them on. I felt—and heard—my ribs crack. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t shout. All I could do was try and curl myself into a ball on the floor, whimpering pathetic pleas for mercy.

There was none to be found.

“By the time they’re through, worthless human, one thing will be certain. You’ll never give Ellax a child. Even if I do return you to him, you’ll never be able to uphold your end of that foolish pact.”

So that was her game.

My mind grasped the horrible truth, but it didn’t matter.

Doesn’t matter, doesn’t matter, beat in my brain along with the brutal pace of their kicks.

It didn’t matter, because I wouldn’t survive this.

I’m sorry, Joell, Isak, was my final thought before the world faded into nothingness. I’m sorry Ellax. I’m so sorry.

Agony obliterated consciousness.

Chapter 46

Lorelai

Asplash of cold water on my face forced me back to life. That, and a brilliant blast of white light, along with a buzzing electric shock.

“Aaah!”

I heard my cry as if from outside my body, something between a gasp of shock and a scream of pain.

Sirena’s voice, her cruel chuckle, shook the foundations of my soul.

“You didn’t think I’d let you die that easily, did you?”

Am I in Hell?

Most religions had long since faded from Earth, except for a few that were still followed by die-hard believers. Still, everyone knew of the mythical place of the damned. If it existed, surely, I was there.

“You haven’t been out that long,” Sirena chided. “I took you out. I brought you back. I have all the power, here, human. You have none. Here. Smile for Ellax.”

Before I could respond at all, she held up a device, clicked, and then lowered it. I assumed she’d taken my photo and was sending it to Ellax. My suspicions were proven correct when her fingers flew across the screen, its glow highlighting the sharp planes of her wicked grin.

She’s enjoying this. She’s having fun. She’s a literal monster.

What could have shaped someone into the kind of being who actually enjoyed inflicting this level of pain on someone they’d never met? Was it losing her parents? Tragic as that was, many people lost their parents and never morphed into fiends.

“I’m going to check her vitals, Sirena.”

I rolled my eyes towards the unknown voice. Sirena didn’t glance up from tapping on the screen, presumably sending that message to Ellax, blackmailing him into doing her will. Her will—the destruction of the wild humans outside the Citadel.

“Fine,” she murmured assent. “Remember, I only need her alive. I want her in pain. And no tending to her wounds, unless they’re life-threatening.”

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