Page 53 of Dying in Flames (Reborn 4)
Maya
There wasno way to count the time that passed in the windowless cell, only lit by lanterns that sat near the forbidding door at the front of the room that contained all the cages.
I tried to keep track, but soon I was distracted by thoughts of how the heck we were going to get out of this, and even more so, the state of Atlas and Sai, both of whom were still unconscious. Luckily, we had managed to set them up near the iron bars so I could occasionally reach through and run my fingers across Atlas’s face or Sai’s arm, loving the small amount of connection but wishing for so much more.
Honestly, it was a bit terrifying seeing two men, who were normally so strong, physically out for the count. Not only because I knew that it would take a lot for that to happen, meaning they were in immense pain, but that they hadn’t gone through this type of thing before.
I may not be as strong as my men, but this was far more my ‘normal’ than anything else I’d experienced recently. I didn’t want it to be, but it seemed no matter how hard I tried, the past was reaching out to grasp me. To drown me in negative experiences.
I was stronger than before though. I had to be strong for my mates and for everyone else trapped in here, because I wasn’t going to let them go through what I had. No matter how much pain I had to experience.
“I know, Bella,” I murmured, looking over to Atlas and Sai. “I’m worried too.”
Ledger made a concerned noise from where he was facing the bars, sitting next to his brother, watching Bella and me. Anani was taking a turn sleeping while Marco, Henry, and Croy talked quietly, their eyes occasionally moving to me.
I wanted to tell them that I didn’t think any amount of planning would allow us to break out of here, considering the magic I’d felt just from the one man alone.Kidnapping man?Was that what I was going to call him? I honestly wasn’t positive.
I needed a name for him for sure though.
I tensed as I heard the doors slam somewhere in the distance, and the children in the cages behind me shifted and made nervous noises. Ember hid Bella—I knew that without looking—as I stood protectively in front of my hurt mates despite being separated by bars. I met Marco’s gaze, his eyes shining with both concern and something else. I almost wanted to call it pride…but that didn’t make sense, did it? I wasn’t sure.
I mean, I suppose for the first time, I did fully feel equal to my men. They had saved me, and now I would save them. I would protect them. I could be strong here. I knew what we were dealing with, even if it scared the heck out of me. I offered him a small smile that his gaze tracked as he seemed to gather himself. I knew if I started freaking out, there would be no way to get him to focus on getting us out of here.
I had already had to talk him down from the idea of shifting and trying to break through the walls. I had a feeling our captors had thought of that, and I didn’t want to risk him getting injured or possibly… No, I wouldn’t think about the other option.
When the door opened, my entire body stiffened, coming face to face with the man of my nightmares. Pastor Malcolm. His entire face was filled with malicious delight as growls echoed through the space, making me feel extremely protective as his eyes moved over my mates. I was actually happy when his gaze moved directly to me.
Then I saw the collar in his hands.
“Maya.” His voice was smooth. “I’m glad you’re up. You and I have an appointment. Come here, girl—”
“No.” Marco’s voice was deceptively soft, though his eyes were alight with danger. I could see Malcolm’s eyes jump with amusement, as if Marco’s reaction was exactly what he wanted.
“Mr. Moretti, correct?” Malcolm offered him a head tilt. “I think you are under a misunderstanding. You are not in charge anymore. You have no ability to use your magic, and this room you are in is warded to not only drain your magic, but to severely injure you if you try to break out. So you should be thankful that I am asking Maya so nicely to come with me. I could have just had the guards drag her out.”
“I don’t care what your fucking magic can do,” Marco stated with quiet venom. “She doesn’t leave this room.”
Malcolm’s smile grew as I felt my breathing catch, his eyes darting back to mine.
“Come, girl.”
I knew there wasn’t a choice here, and I also had a feeling that Malcolm wanted me to fight this. Wanted me to make this fun for him. He was sick. Sadistic. I think that was the right word for it.
I looked at my men, my gaze finally meeting Marco’s, who looked like he was on the edge of losing it.
“I need a minute to talk to them, and then I’ll come with you willingly,” I leveled.
Malcolm’s gaze filled with interest as he motioned for me to talk to them. Marco was immediately in my space, and I could see the panic there and something so much more vicious, his dragon nearly threatening to explode out from his skin.
“He wants you to fight this,” I whispered quietly, not caring if Malcolm heard. “He wants an excuse, Marco, and I am not giving it to him. He isn’t going to kill me. He can’t kill me. He can hurt you, though, and I won’t let that happen.”
“No,” Henry demanded, appearing next to him. “Absolutely fucking not, Maya.”
I swallowed down my resolve and stepped towards the front of the cell. “Please trust me.”
Trust me as I trusted you.
Trust me to keep all of you safe.
