Page 348 of Coal Hearts

Rain seemed to pour faster, heavier, baptising me further into a hell.

Starlight descended on my shoulders, glowing from behind black-blotting clouds.

I might never get free.

I might never see Krish again.

But I would damn well fight for as long as my body allowed me to.

My father’s voice echoed in my head; a moment of sage wisdom.

“All things pass, my daughter. Good and bad. Happy and sad. This too shall pass. And you are brave enough to be patient.”

Backing away from Peter still gasping on the ground, I reached for my bra strap.

All three Masters pinned their greedy gazes on me.

My stomach turned into a slicing barbwire, butchering me from the inside out.

But my voice didn’t shake as I said, “Let Peter go. If you agree not to kill either of us, I won’t tell anyone what happens here tonight. My Master will never have to know. Victor doesn’t have to know. Just...let Peter go, and I won’t fight.”

“Ily, please don’t.” Peter shifted in the muddy grass, his hand reaching for me. “I didn’t ask you to trade yourself—”

“Won’t fight, huh?” Daxton chuckled even as his eyes flared with lust. “But what if we want you to fight?”

“Then...I’ll fight.” I shrugged. “It’s simple. I’ll do whatever you want if you just let Peter go.”

Peter shook his head. “Ily, please—”

“Done.” Daxton, who seemed the ringleader, clapped his hands. “Larry, find a tree and tie Peter to it. We’ll let him go after we’ve had our fun.” His smile was pure filth. “Can’t have her reneging on her offer by releasing him too soon.”

Crowding me, he cupped my cheek and dropped his gaze to my bra. “We’re all gonna fill you up, pretty girl, and only once you’re dripping will we let you both go.”

My heart buried itself as deep as it could into courage. “You promise you won’t kill us?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die.”

Oh, you’ll die.

One day.

By my hand if there’s any justice.

I nodded and clamped down on my rapidly rising terror.

God, Il.

Now what have you done?

You stupid, stupid girl.

Propositioning was one thing...but going through with it?

My eyes flickered to the two men behind Daxton.

Three men.

Three.