Page 161 of Glutton for Punishment

His smile fades as his eyes go blank.

“Because,” he whispers, “he never lets me keep the things that I love.”

The words hit me square in the chest as something raw flashes across his face before his mask slides back into place.

My anger falters. “Who is ‘he’? Is this the person you refer to as master?”

At the word, his shoulders tense. Panic shines in his eyes as he claws at his neck like he can’t breathe. Almost like there are invisible chains pulled tight around his throat.

“Maylo,” I say carefully. “Who is he?”

His jaw locks as he tries to breathe roughly through clenched teeth. “You shouldn’t ask that.”

“Why not?”

He presses a hand against his temple.

“Because,” he grits out, “I’m not supposed to talk about this.”

Concern cuts through my irritation. “Maylo… are you okay?”

His breathing speeds up, becoming erratic. A thin line of blood trickles from his nose.

My heartbeat speeds up as I panic. “What the hell—”

He swipes at it absently, but more blood follows as his entire body trembles.

“Maylo. Please. What’s happening? How do I help?”

“He doesn’t like when I talk too much,” he squeaks out, face going blue. The world continues on around us. Like no one can see this.

Do I get someone? Or will more attention cause him more suffering?

Fear crawls up my spine. Something is wrong.

“Is the Councilor hurting you?”

His head jerks toward me as panic flashes across his face.

“Don’t,” he whispers. “Don’t say things like that.”

Another trickle of blood slips from the corner of his mouth.

Holy shit. Fuck this. I’m getting help.

“Maylo—”

“I can’t,” he chokes out. It’s not possible to tell you things before it’s time.

“I don’t understand. When is it time?”

He laughs, sounding broken and strained. “You ask impossible questions, stormcloud.”

I move to go find help when, suddenly—

BOOM.

The entire hallway explodes with sound. The floor jolts violently beneath us. I scream as the shockwave throws me sideways, straight into Maylo.