Page 66 of Twisted Gift

“Aurora,” he says. “Please, for your own sake, don’t fight them.” His expression is as smooth as his voice, but it doesn’t ease the storm of fear raging in me, making my hands shake.

Tears sting my eyes. “Please don’t,” I whisper. “Don’t let them do this to me.” Any strength I had is gone. I’m sure he can see it in my eyes.

He drops his gaze, perhaps to give me a moment to collect myself. “Think of the bigger picture.”

My throat tightens. “The bigger picture?” I echo in a sharp voice. “These people—you—are hurting people. Those who you once identified with. That sounds like betrayal to me.”

His eyes snap up to mine. “The fae are monsters.Iwas a monster.”

“They really fucked with your head, didn’t they? Youbelievethe shit you’re spewing.”

His eyes narrow a fraction. “It’s the truth. You’re just scared to see it.”

“No,” I say. “You’re too scared to admit what’s going on here is wrong, that what was done to you was wrong. So, you’re covering it up with lies and pretending what’s happening here is a good thing.”

He shakes his head as he unties me but doesn’t say a word.

“What are you doing?” I cringe as my voice cracks, watching him pull the IV out of my hand.

“It’s time,” he says in a casual tone that makes my blood run cold. He swings my legs over the side of the bed and hauls me against him.

I snap. Throwing my fists toward his face and kicking as hard as I can, I try to get him away from me.

“Enough,” he shouts. “Stop fighting me.”

I scream, clawing at his face until he backs off. “Don’t touch me,” I growl.

He grunts and pushes me back against the bed, staring at me hard. “I didn’t want to do this,” he says, pulling a syringe out of his pocket. “Unless you’re willing to cooperate, you leave me no choice.”

“Fuck you,” I seethe.

He sighs. “Hard way it is.”

“You come near me with that thing, and Iwillkick your ass. I’m serious.”

Carter gives me a doubtful look that cranks up my anger.

I roll over, standing from the bed on the other side so it stands between us. My eyes fly around the room in search of something I can use to protect myself. I shouldn’t be surprised that I can’t find anything, but that quick conclusion makes my stomach drop.

I need to get out of this room right now.

I need to shift somewhere else. The idea hits me and fills my chest with dread. I’ve never tried it before, and being fae is still so new to me that I didn’t even think of it. The odds of it working...

Carter makes a move toward me.

I need to try.

I force myself to concentrate on where I want to go.Tristan’s penthouse. I repeat it over and over in my head while picturing what it looks like, how I feel when I’m there, with Tristan’s arms around me, and his lips—

“It’s not going to work, Aurora.” Carter’s voice cuts into my concentration, and I lose the picture.

I glare at him.

“You can’t shift here. Iron wards,” he explains. A smirk twists his lips. “Do you even knowhow?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Obviously, it doesn’t matter,” I say in lieu of an answer.

He laughs. “Hey, at least once you’re human again, you won’t have such a hard time with the lying.”

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