Page 35 of Survivor
“Night night, pretty,” he said.
I couldn’t breathe.
My eyes burned as I clawed at his hands and bucked, trying to get him off, but it was futile. He had me. He had me good. The darkness called to me, welcoming me. Rest, it said. Be at peace now. The pressure in my head built. Vex’s face came to mind, Xavier, Tide, and Lore. They were waiting for me. They were waiting to start a life with me.
I couldn’t die.
No. Not like this. Not today.
Gathering the ebbing vestiges of my strength, I slammed a fist into the side of his head. His grip loosened enough for me to grab his wrist and twist.
There was a sharp snap.
He screamed and I was free, rolling onto my side and then scrambling to my feet. A wave of dizziness assaulted me. I needed to act fast.
He had to die.
I’d only ever killed to defend myself, to survive.
This would be no different.
I slammed into him, taking him down hard and claiming his throat with my hands. His body vibrated as he tried to blur, to slip out of my grip.
“I’m sorry.” I squeezed with everything I had left. He could heal fast, so this had to be an endgame injury.
He stopped moving. Stopped breathing.
My stomach quivered, and heat burned the back of my eyes as I climbed off his dead body. This was who I was.
This was what I needed to be for now.
A murderer.
19
Marick
My heart is pounding too fast as I watch Rogue climb off the body of the man she’s just killed. Excitement writhes in my belly and grips my balls.
She’s magnificent and she’s mine. I need to get her out. I need to get her away.
I need her.
There are no options, though. I must wait for this pathetic game to be over, hope that she wins, and find a way to get close enough to take her.
The vial with the sedative burns a hole in my pocket, and the capped syringe sits in another one. The drug will knock her out instantly.
Vartin, my little spy, has shown me exactly where the exit tunnel will lead the winner, and a VIP band hugs my wrist. It will be busy, manic. A crush of bodies wanting to congratulate the winner, the survivor, and then will come the explosion—courtesy of my eager, money-hungry assistant.
I spot him now on the other side of the arena. He nods in my direction.
A diversion that will lead to my victory.
All Rogue needs to do until then is survive.
My gaze snags on something blue … Athions … Her fucking Athions. Where the fuck are they going?
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