Surrendered to Mate by Celeste King

Author:Celeste King [King, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Protheka Publishing
Published: 2024-10-10T00:00:00+00:00

17

FAYE

I'm running, my heart pounding in my chest like a caged animal desperate to break free. Smoke fills my lungs, burning with each ragged breath. The heat of the flames licks at my heels, urging me forward through the maze-like corridors of my master's mansion.

His voice booms behind me, filling me with terror. I can almost feel his cruel hands grabbing at me, ready to drag me back. To punish me. And this time I'm not sure I will survive.

Screams filter through the air as everyone in the mansion suffers. Suffers because of me. I can hardly breathe my fear and guilt but I have to find a way out.

I round a corner, hope surging as I spot the window at the end of the hall that isn't blocked. Freedom is so close I can taste it, mingling with the acrid smoke on my tongue. But as I sprint towards my salvation, a deafening crack splits the air.

The ceiling groans, and before I can react, a massive wooden beam crashes down in front of me. I skid to a stop, panic clawing at my throat as I realize I'm trapped. Frantically, I search for another way out, but the walls seem to close in around me, the smoke thickening until I can barely see.

"No, no, no," I whimper, tears cutting tracks through the soot on my cheeks. I try to squeeze past the debris, splinters digging into my skin as I push and pull with all my might. But it won't budge.

The fire roars closer, and I can hear my master's heavy footsteps approaching. Sweat and ash coat my body, making me feel dirty and used all over again. I'm going to die here, or worse, be dragged back into that life of misery and abuse.

The walls crumble inward, and I scream as chunks of burning wood and stone rain down around me. I curl into a ball, squeezing my eyes shut as the world collapses. This is it. This is the end.

My eyes snap open, a gasp tearing from my throat as I bolt upright. For a moment, I'm disoriented, the lingering terror of my dream making my heart race. Then I feel a presence beside me and instinctively lash out.

"Whoa, easy there, sweetheart," a familiar voice says, and I blink rapidly, my vision clearing to reveal Cassius kneeling next to me, his hands raised in a placating gesture.

I struggle to breathe, my lungs burning as I suck in deep gulps of air. The forest around me swims in and out of focus, my heart pounding so hard I fear it might burst from my chest.

Sweat coats my skin, making me shiver despite the warm night air. I can still smell the smoke, taste the ash on my tongue.

"Faye, it's okay. You're safe." Cassius's voice cuts through the panic, but I can't seem to latch onto it. My fingers dig into the earth beneath me, desperate for an anchor to reality.

I feel his hand on my back, the touch sending a jolt through me.

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