Page 26 of Shackled to the World
Though Logan hated to admit it, he was close to breaking.
Every day, reality drifted further and further away.
Annora’s daily visits had become his salvation.
He both lived and dreaded the nightly dreams. He almost gave in to the temptation to never wake, the only thing stopping him was knowing Annora needed him.
He had to fight for the chance to spend more time with her.
A single lifetime wasn’t nearly enough, and he’d be damned if he gave up one second sooner.
He thought the dreams were another sign that he was losing his mind—until Camden showed up too. No way in hell would he use his last minutes on earth to dream of that asshole.
Everything became more real when Annora used her witchy powers to heal him.
He felt better, stronger than he had since before he left, and it took everything in him not to beg her not to leave him.
Until he heard the guards coming.
She had to leave before they discovered her.
As she faded from his arms, she left a gaping hole in his chest.
At his center—where his kitsune hid—rested a dark well of power so deep and vast nothing could consume it.
But instead of fear, his heart warmed.
It was Annora.
She was an unstoppable force that wouldn’t rest until she came for him.
Fear and hope warred inside him.
For the first time, he allowed himself to believe in the possibility that he’d see her again.
A particularly nasty blow split his flesh open, ripping a groan from deep within him. The haze of the dream world beckoned to him, but he gritted his teeth and bore the pain.
Now that he knew the real Annora was waiting for him, his dreams of her would no longer satisfy him.
He gripped the chains pinning him to the floor, wrapping them around his hands, and continued to work on loosening the bolts holding him in place.
He’d be damned if he’d let this blowhard win.
He’d conserve his strength. Wait for the perfect time to strike. Because if it was the last thing that he ever did, he would make sure her uncle never laid a hand on her again.
* * *
Annora followed Camden down the stairs. Though they’d both showered, the cold dampness from the prison still clung to her, the smell of stale blood and the bitter taste of despair hovering around her like a toxic cloud.
The rest of the guys were seated around the table, waiting for them, and she knew Camden must have called them back. From their grim faces, he also must have told them what transpired.
Camden took his seat, but she was too nervous to make herself sit, like she was on trial or something. She leaned her hip against the counter, crossing her arms, not ready for the comfort they were willing to offer, not until she was sure she wouldn’t shatter.
“The nightmares are getting worse.” She spoke bluntly, staring blankly at the middle of the table instead of facing them, or she wouldn’t be able to get the words out. “I swear I can hear him screaming even while I’m awake. Sometimes he calls for me, while others he begs me to stay away.”
It felt like she was going fucking insane.
The guys were silent while she lost her calm, and she swallowed hard against the need to run out the door and allow herself to be taken just so she could be near Logan.
