Page 158 of Taken By the Fae

Tears sting my eyes, and I will them not to spill over. “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. “Think of the bigger picture.”

My throat tightens. “The bigger picture?” I echo sharply. “You are hurting people—people you used to identify with. That sounds like betrayal to me.”

His gaze slices through me. “The fae are monsters.Iwas a monster.”

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

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

“No, 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 but doesn't say a word as he moves closer.

“What are you doing?” I cringe as my voice cracks, and he pulls the IV out of my arm.

“It's time,” he says so casually it 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. I even try to feed, but despite his hands gripping me, it doesn’t work.It doesn’t work.

The gloves. It has to be them. They must be made with iron like the restraints they’ve kept me in. I double my efforts in trying to break free of his grasp, but not having fed in so long has left me with the strength of a human, it seems.

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

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

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.”

“Come near me with that thing, and I’ll break your fucking hand. I’m serious.”

Carter gives me a doubtful look that cranks up the anger simmering in my chest.

I roll over, standing from the bed on the other side so it’s between us. My eyes fly around the room in search of something I can use to protect myself. When I come to the quick conclusion there are no weapons around, though I shouldn't be surprised, my stomach drops.

I need to get out of here.I need to shift.It didn’t work the last time I tried, but when Carter makes a move toward me, determination fuels me—I have to try again.

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, wrapped in Tristan’s arms, with his lips—

“It won’t work.” Carter’s voice cuts into my concentration, and I lose the picture.

I glare at him.

“You can’t shift in here. Iron wards,” he explains, arching a brow. “Do you even know how?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Obviously, it doesn’t matter.”

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

I shake my head. “I’m not going to be human again.” No. Tristan and I are going to be together forever. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. After everything we’ve been through, we deserve it.

Carter closes the distance between us until my back hits the wall and my panic surges. He frowns at my wide-eyed expression. “I don’t want you to be scared.”

My brows tug together. “Bullshit. You’re doing what you’re told. Congrats. You’re the Experiment’s bitch. Does that make you feel big and powerful?”

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