A Touch of Destiny by Nicole Velazquez

Author:Nicole Velazquez [Velazquez, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nicole Velazquez
Published: 2023-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

M

y shackled hands go up to my cheek and come away bloody.

He could’ve killed me.

But he didn’t.

This is simply a warning of the things to come aboard his ship.

A scene unfolds with him bearing gritted teeth, a clenched jaw, and a throbbing blue vein on his forehead as he bellows in French. His wide-eyed fury causes spittle to reach my face, making me freeze like a deer in headlights. Regrettably, my attempts only resulted in a slight skin nick, leading him to dismiss the medic’s help with disdain.

Johann’s breathing turns shallow, his posture rigid. He throws his sword on the deck, the delicate iron clanking against the wood. He stomps toward me, his nostrils flaring, and punches me in my stomach, knocking all the wind out of me. My shoulders curl inwardly, pain flaring up from my abdomen. I fall a bit, but the men hold me up, laughing at me. An acidic taste comes to my throat.

Johann grabs my face, pressing his rough fingertips into my cheeks. “You dare injure me, whore?” he snarls. He forces me to face him, the ache in my abdomen thumping. “Those scurvy dogs corrupted you.”

“I was corrupted by no one,” I seethe. “I did that all on my own because you are a despicable son of a bitch!” I spit on him.

He stands there, watching me, his left eye twitching. Now I’ve done it.

“Gents, this woman has decided to disobey me.” Johann chuckles humorlessly. Everyone quiets down, listening to their cult leader. “Do we, as men, accept disrespect from a whore?”

“No, sir!” they reply, glaring at me.

Thunder cracks above me, the sky slowly turning gray.

“What do we do to those that disobey us?”

“We punish them!” a man whoops, and the rest agree. The two men release me, pushing me toward Johann.

Punishment?

No.

Gentle drops of rain fall from the sky. They’re small and delicate, yet sharp as daggers on our skin.

Johann and his father were known for their cruel punishments on their victims and enemies. Both had no remorse, enjoying the pain. Relishing it.

No, no, no.

He yanks me forward and unshackles me, two different men appearing on either side of me. My eyes dart from Johann to the men holding me as my breathing becomes ragged. I fall, hitting the deck sideways, but they hold me down. My heart pounds so hard in my chest that I fear it may rip open. The cold grip of fear takes a hold of me with each second that passes, paralyzing me with its icy touch.

“Johann, don’t do this,” I plead, tears falling down my cheeks as Johann reveals a sharpened knife. “I’m sorry! Please, it won’t happen again!”

I squirm, attempting to get free, but two more men approach, firmly holding my legs down against the wooden deck. Panic arises in me. I sob, my heart beating so fast that it echoes in my ears. I’m stuck in place, sobbing, waiting for the inevitable to happen. Laughter mixes with the wind, eager cheers from behind. The adrenaline pushes down, crushing my lungs and leaving me unable to breathe correctly.

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