Nefarious Desires by Nikki McComas-Jimenez

Author:Nikki McComas-Jimenez [McComas-Jimenez, Nikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

tess

I wake up and for a split second almost forget where I am. I stretch, or try to, and the pain in my wrists as heavy metal shackles catch my arms forcefully reminds me I’m still in chains. I suppress the fear rising in my throat, swallow all the terror, and push back the tears. I will not give Arnold the satisfaction of those tears. He’s getting no emotion from me.

It’s hard not to sink back into those memories of being naked and afraid when I was sixteen. I promised myself long ago I would never let myself feel this weak again and here I fucking am, doing just that.

I can’t help thinking about Nate, Jaxson, and Brady. I saw Jaxson, I think, in my sleep. Maybe. I was so out of it. If it was real, at least he knows I’m in danger. All of my boys must be going insane trying to find me. My heart surges with a burst of affection for each one of them until reality intrudes. The last time I cared about someone so deeply, she was murdered. I close my eyes and imagine Heather. I know if she met the guys, she would’ve liked all three of them. Remembering her smile and the love I felt for her helps me ground myself.

Arnold killed Heather for loving me. He killed Jessica, probably for no crime other than kissing me. He must’ve killed those other women, too. There is no fucking way I’m going lie back and die here at his hands. I’m going to kill Arnold once and for all, put him down like the animal he is.

I inhale deeply through my nose and exhale through my mouth over and over until I’m able to suppress the fear. I need to strategize. First, take in my surroundings. I’m not sure what time it is as there are no windows to bring in light. I crane my neck as far to the right and left as I can. There’s a lightbulb with a string, and distant stairs. I know for sure I’m in a storm cellar of some sort. I can smell the dirt, cleaning solution, and death. He must’ve killed someone here, maybe one of the women, or the owner of this place.

Heightening my sense of hearing by closing my eyes, I listen for any sounds that may help determine where I am. Birds flap their wings in the distance, water rushes nearby, then silence. Nothing that can help me right now.

I have to figure out how to free myself from these shackles. Anytime I try to call on my tiger, the skin on my wrists and ankles burns. Silver never worked on me before, so it must be something else. Arnold’s always been inventive and good with science. This feels different, though. I heard chanting before I was captured. It was a woman’s voice and I swear I smelled black licorice. Magic? Could there be magic in the chains?

I don’t think he knows about my witch side.

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