Page 70 of Silent Oaths
“Youshould’ve stayed where you were safe,”Isay.Shedoesn’t answer, her lips trembling as she tries to hold herself steady.
Maxwellsteps in next to me, the smirk on his lips almost cruel as he looks atIsabel.
Hereyes dart around, looking for any exit, but we’re too close now.
Herhands fly up, slapping at the air in desperate attempts to shove us away.She’sfrantic, backing up against the wall, her chest heaving with panic.
Istep toward her, keeping my distance just enough to toy with her.Iwant to see her struggle, to see that defiance in her eyes before it’s finally crushed.
“Youthink you can fight us?”Imurmur, watching the quick rise and fall of her chest.Hereyes flash with something reckless, but she doesn’t get the chance to act.
Frommy pocket,Ipull out a cloth, soft and soaked with a liquid that will do exactly whatIneed.Ipress it againstIsabel’snose, my fingers wrapping around her face to hold her still.
Isabel’seyes widen, and for a split second, she struggles—her hands clawing at my wrist, her feet kicking against the ground, trying to push me away.ButI’mfirm, not giving her an inch.
Hergasps grow weaker, her body rigid, and for a moment,Ithink she’s going to fight it longer, that maybe she has more fight in her thanIanticipated.Then, her eyelids flutter, and before she can get another breath in, she slumps into me.
Maxwellsteps forward, his eyes flashing with approval.
IsteadyIsabelin my arms, the weight of her now almost dead in my hold.
“Let’sget her out of here,”Juliansays, satisfied.
We’vedone it, and now, we can take her back to where she belongs.
Maxwelleyes the unconscious form in my arms. “She’snot going anywhere this time.”
26
ISABEL
Iwake up in a haze, the world spinning slowly around me asItry to open my eyes.Myhead is heavy, likeI’munderwater, and my eyelids feel like they’re made of cement.
Myvision blurs, andIthinkImight drift back to sleep, but the unfamiliar sensation of being restrained jolts me awake.
Myarms and legs are pulled apart, stretched unnaturally wide.Mybody aches from the uncomfortable position, andIfeel the cold, sharp bite of metal around my wrists and ankles.Panicclaws at me, andItug hard against the chains, a desperate surge of adrenaline coursing through me.
Ican barely see, butIhear my breathing coming in quick, shallow gasps, my chest tightening as reality sinks in:I’mtrapped.
Iblink rapidly, my eyes still blurry from whatever they’ve done to me, and try to make sense of my surroundings.Theroom is dark, the faintest sliver of light coming from a low-hanging lamp in the corner.
WhereamI?
Icall out, my voice hoarse and trembling. “Help...Helpme!”
Myvoice bounces off the walls, but no one answers.Itry again, my throat tight. “Please!”
Thesound of footsteps cuts through the silence.Mypulse spikes, andIfreeze.
Thebrothers appear from the shadows, their presence like a dark storm.Theirfigures loom over me, their faces half-hidden by their masquerade masks still in place.Ican see the shape ofJulian’sgrin, the way his eyes gleam with something almost... playful.
Maxwellsteps forward first, his usual smug smirk curling at the corner of his lips.Helooks down at me, his gaze taking in my vulnerable state, andIfeel a shudder run down my spine.
“Nicetry.Weknew you’d try to escape, but you really thought you could get away from us?”
Iclench my jaw, struggling again against the chains, feeling the burn in my muscles asIpull harder. “Whatthe hell did you do to me?”Myvoice shakes, the panic rising like a tidal wave in my chest. “Didyou drug me?”
Theodoresteps up besideMaxwell.There’sno remorse in his eyes, just a strange satisfaction as he regards my disarray. “Yes,” he says flatly, his voice void of any apology.
