Page 249 of Once Upon a Fable

The hand on my shoulder dug nails into my skin. “Kas, please—”

Rage poured through me. Anger and hatred, disgust and terror.

A sick, sick recipe of exploitation, perversion, and abuse.

I’d been prepared to give up.

I’d longed for death.

I’d been weak.

How could I?

I couldneverlet them win.

Never.

Swooping upright, I collided with the woman hovering over me with false kindness. The guest who poured gasoline over me, her touch the match, her voice the devil’s fire.

I’d never lusted for a guest before.

Never actually wanted to fuck one of my oppressors, but for her? I’d make an exception. She was different. Sheaffectedme. She was right and wrong and pain. So, so much fucking pain.

Snatching her arm, I threw her to the floor.

“No, wait—”

I didn’t hear the rest of her plea as flames gusted in my ears and snow swirled in my eyes. I was nothing but elements. Hot and cold. Biting and searing.

I wasn’t human.

I was wind and smoke, ice and frost.

My head howled with pressure. My hands pawed at my enemy. And my body. Fuck, my body was hard thanks to Levin’s touch. I was needy, desperate, and out of my mind with desire.

They’d broken me.

They’d given me a promise of pleasure, only to burn me alive.

I needed that release.

Ithirstedfor it.

And they thought they could take thatawayfrom me?

Deny me the one precious second I might’ve been free?

No.

Fucking hell no.

They owed me.

Theyallowed me.

“Kas, stop it!” the woman screamed as I shoved a fist against her sternum and kept her pinned to the floor. The spark of our skin was the worst kind of magic. Her heat. Her scent. It drugged me, corrupted me.

She struggled and fought, her legs flying as she tried to get away. With my other hand, I unbuckled my jeans.