or's

ngers digging into the cool fabric

fire in her eyes and defiance in every in

completely exposed, vulnerable. But instead of fear,

at kind of fire sh

e of her body, to lose myself in that fiery

I ached to have her, to make her mine in ev

wasn't here by choice. I told myself again that she was a comm

other buyers would be doing to the women they'd acquired

I wanted was for her to look at me willingly, to lose that defianc

dry and bitter as usual. The dull ache in my chest lesse

e bathroom, hoping that a cold shower

my mind. I'd keep my distance, I decided. I needed contr

*

ting. I had wanted to check on her but I stopped mys

when I

his back to me. His body language caught my att

ows to watch. As I got nearer, I could see w

n

of the terrace, her hair catching the morn

at landed on her. My jaw clenched as I watched the soldier's gaze rake ove

my voice boomed. "

g around in panic. His face went pal

dening as she looked between us, clearly o

ling to pull himself together, but I st

between us, grabbing him by the collar. His eyes went wi

a sickening crunch, and the soldier staggered back

linded by fury. Blood spattered across the flo

is hands raised in a desperate attempt to shie

rned, seeing Anya standing there, h

r as she took in what was happening

owled, my voice was so low

s if to protest, but one look from me-o

ack to the soldier, who was sobbing now, h

im down the hall, his body half-limp as

sprawling as he whimpered in pain. Around us, the gang stopped and

Irina, my grandmother, with Isabella

in the scene, and a look of dist

oe proishodit

going on here, Vik

oldier, who was barely able to hold himself

d, not looking a

, but one of the guards obeyed, pulling the spear fro

l in my grip, as I turned back t

d with shock, but I barely heard her. All I could see was An

want to punish him; I wanted to make an example of him. To show

e tip hovering over the soldier's face as he

aluysta (ple

ip against his eye. He screamed, his body

guttural sounds. I didn't stop until his eyes were destro

ay, but I didn't care. I stood, blood dripping from my hand and fr

e sweeping over the room. "Nikto preziraet to, prina