Page 155 of Rite of Unity

The man asking questions frowned.“Is my question not straightforward enough?”

His companion stroked his chin and leaned closer.“Why did you leave Elias’s car alone Sunday night?”

“Angry.”

The word formed on my tongue with no prompting from me.The men all smiled, pleased that their drugs were working.

“And what did you do when you left angrily?”

“Ran.”

“Did you meet another man?”

“Yes.”

The man who hadn’t asked a question yet pulled his tablet out of his pocket, tapping the screen.

The first man who’d spoken was close enough I could smell his breath.Tea and something salty lingered.“Who?”

“My father.”

The three men straightened, giving me their backs.They whispered to one another.Finally, the first turned back.

“Did you meet with anyone else before returning to Mr.Hale’s vehicle?

“No.”

My teeth clicked shut, and I bit my tongue, tasting blood.A dull pounding had started in my head, radiating down my back, but the room was solidifying at the edges, the details coming more into focus.

“Why did you go back to his car?”

“Wanted to.Right.Safe.”

The man’s eyebrows raised.

The pounding was growing stronger, and my eyes slid closed, blocking the light.

When I opened my eyes again, the pounding had dulled, but my neck and jaw were sore.I opened my mouth, rotating it until I heard a pop, and some of the pain in my shoulder subsided.

Had it been hours?Days?Would I leave this room?I had no way of knowing.

The room was dark.I was alone.

***

When I opened my eyes again, my head was clearer, and the sting in my neck was the most immediate pain.My body was sore all over, my wrist and ankles bruised, but nothing felt permanently damaged or violated.

Outside, heavy steps pounded, and I jerked involuntarily with every slam of a boot as it neared my door.

Shouting made my heart jump erratically as a fist slammed against the door.It burst open, and I flinched, curling away from the noise as best I could.Blond hair.Blue eyes gone dark.

Elias stormed into the room, his murderous gaze falling on me.

My heart thrashed wildly under his stare before his gaze shot to the guard who came in behind him.

“Unlock her cuffs.Now.”

The guard rushed forward, and clicks sounded in rapid succession.I slumped sideways, tipping toward the floor.