Page 52 of A Raven Revived

Not that the inn was any better. All he could think about as he lay there was the night she’d come to him. But this time he was filled with grief rather than lust. Tears dripped from the corners of his eyes. How had he failed her so completely? What kind of horrors was she enduring while he was lying in this bloody bed? He slammed his fists into the mattress on both sides of him. He couldn’t even drink himself into oblivion or he’d be worthless for her tomorrow.

What he needed to do was stop feeling sorry for himself and sleep so that he could be what she needed. “We’re coming for you, Daisy.” They would find her. Soon, he’d have her in his arms, once more.

ChapterSixteen

Sadness settled over Daisy as she followed Samantha to the dining hall for breakfast. She felt like a failure. Like she had given up and let them win. But it was so nice to be warm. She berated herself.You’re pathetic. How can you be so weak?This wasn’t a vacation, after all. She could not let them defeat her.

She carried her porridge and apple to the table and sat down to eat. This would give her the strength she needed to fight, and to find a way out of this horrible place.

She savored every minute of fresh air as she made her three laps around the yard, knowing it might be her last, at least for a while. One way or another, it was time to fight again. With one last lungful, she followed Samantha back inside to return to their cell.

As they approached the main area, however, it was just the two of them, and no one else was around. This was her chance. She knew what would happen if she failed, but she had to try. When they neared, she bolted down the passageway to the front door.

Her body was still weak and slow as she ran, but the door was in sight, so she pushed herself harder. She wrenched on the knob, but it wouldn’t budge. Of course, it was locked. She’d known it would be, but there had to be a way. She tugged again, the skin on her palms burning with her effort. Frantically, she looked around. There had to be a key, or another way. There was a small portal in the middle of the door.

She flipped the latch and jerked it open before screaming desperately through it. “Help! Someone help me! Fitz!”

Two sets of hands clamped onto her arms and dragged her away.

“No!” she wailed. They might be stronger than her, but she wasn’t going down without a fight.

She whirled around and kicked out, her foot catching one of them in the stomach. He grunted and she pulled her arm from his grasp. Turning back, she lurched for the door. The man’s hand came down hard against her backside, the sting jarring a squeal from her.

“Harlan!”

All three of them stopped moving at the commanding shout.

“She kicked me.”

Dr. Mickelson looked angry. Something she’d never seen from him before, not even when she’d spilled milk all over him. But his anger didn’t seem to be directed at her as his gaze bored into the man who had hit her. Were there rules against that? It seemed strange, given the other abuse she’d endured.

“Get her into the tub.”

“No,” she bawled. “Please just let me go.”

He didn’t say a word as they dragged her past him, but he looked disappointed.

She was plunged roughly into the cold water, and he eventually came to stand at the foot of the tub.

“Did you not enjoy the time away from your cell and being outside in the sun?”

“I did,” she said through shaking breaths. She cursed the tears that ran down her face.

He sighed and shook his head. “Well, you’ve lost that privilege now. You'll have to earn it back with good behavior.”

She nodded, her whole body trembling and burning. “I’m sorry. Please let me out.”

“Are you going to cooperate?”

She gave a jerky nod and at his gesture, they pulled her out of the tub and placed her on her feet. Her knees nearly buckled, but she locked them tight.

Dr. Mickelson stepped in front of her. “Any failure to comply, and you’re going straight back in there. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes.” She struggled to even get the single word out through her chattering teeth.

“Lift your arms.”

Even after all these times, it was still so hard to obey, but knowing what would happen if she refused, she followed his command and they pulled the wet gown over her head. Sobs made her body heave as she wiped herself with the towel. She had failed.

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