Page 50 of Crucible
I wouldn’t put it past one of them to have a Sleeping Beauty kink.
If the situation was different and I didn’t despise them, I wouldn’t be so opposed to trying that one out. Alas, I hate them with every fiber of my being, and I’m praying minutely that I’m long gone before they get the urge to assault me again.
Especially since the man in front of me looks like a walking, talking fantasy as his lips move.
Villains shouldn’t be allowed to look panty-dropping gorgeous.
Thankfully, I’m not wearing any.
Wait…
I’m not wearing any.
Whyaren’t I wearing any again?
“Did you hear me?” Khalil snaps, making me realize I hadn’t.
I hide the anxiety building in my belly by shooting him an equally annoyed look. “Obviously not, Khalil.”
“I asked if you’re hungry.”
Ignoring his offer, which definitely comes with strings, I ask him a question of my own. “Where are my clothes? Why am I wearing this?”
“Aurelia,” he says with an impatient sigh. “I asked you a question.”
I start to tell him where he can shove his questions when his brows rise like he read my mind and is daring me to do it.
Gulping, my lips tremble as I take one breath and two steps back.
I want to be strong and pretend I’m bulletproof, but it’s hard when I remember what they did to me. I can still feel their handson me—shoving, grabbing, and taking the only parts of me I had left that were just mine.
Whatever appetite I had flees from the rising memories. Still, I’m not entirely led by my emotions. Logic tells me that if I refuse the meal, they might not offer another one.
At least not for free.
I give a small nod, and Khalil turns to walk out without a word.
I gape at the empty door where he disappeared before I realize I’m meant to follow him. Stealing a few more moments to don my armor, I leave the haven of this room where nothing bad has happened to me yet.
Entering the den, I keep my gaze pinned straight ahead and on the stairs. I don’t want to risk looking around and remembering what happened to me inthisroom.
The thick calf socks on my feet are too big, but they protect my feet from the cold floor as I shuffle my way upstairs. The cabin is quiet but warm, and I still haven’t seen Thorin or Seth yet, so I’m half expecting one of them to jump me out of nowhere.
I make it upstairs unscathed.
Standing on the landing, I look around but still don’t see them. I hear Khalil in the kitchen, so I creep over there and peer around the corner. He’s got his back turned to me, and I can’t help but notice how strong it looks.
He’ll have no problem holding me down when he decides to use me again.
The muscles are bunched like he’s tense, and I realize why when he says, “Stop watching me like you think I’m going to eat you and sit. Your breakfast is getting cold.”
It’s then that I notice the plate on the table.
There are scrambled eggs that look runny, dried meat, and diced potatoes.
“If there’s no town nearby,” I ask as I take a seat, “how do you guys keep from starving?”
“The same way our ancestors’ ancestors’ ancestors’ ancestors did before the invention of markets, Aurelia. We hunt, grow, gather, and store.”
