Page 39 of Glutton for Punishment

Dr. Plinth returns a moment later, clipboard tucked beneath his arm.

“Ryker,” he says. “Glad you could join us.”

His gaze flicks over me like I’m a malfunctioning piece of equipment. “Unfortunately, today has been another failure. We’ll notify you and your father the moment her power emerges again.”

He gestures toward the guards waiting nearby as he leads Ryker away.

“For now, we’ll have Ms. Davies cleaned up and returned to her cell. Need to ensure the asset remains in working condition, as you so wisely suggested.”

Hands grab my arms as the restraints release. My body barely cooperates as they drag me upright.

For a moment, I feel close to breaking. To crying. To begging the scientists and Ryker to have mercy on me.

But as they pull me toward the door, my eyes flick once more toward Ryker.

Seeing him here—seeing the betrayal standing right in front of me—does something unexpected inside my chest.

The part of me that wanted to give up goes quiet.

If Ryker Blaise thinks he’s won and that he gets to watch me shatter after everything he did…

He’s out of his mind.

They drag me down the hall toward my cell, and somewhere beneath the pain and exhaustion, the fire burns again.

They will not get satisfaction.

Chapter 12

Atticus

The sound of boots on stone reaches me before I see her. I’ve learned to track it—the number of sets, the pace, whether they’re dragging weight. My hands are already on the bars. I don’t know if I want them coming or not. I’m desperate to see her, but can’t stand the condition they always return her in.

The two guards drag her between them like she weighs nothing at all. For a moment, my mind refuses to process what I’m looking at. It never gets easier.

Burns. Fresh ones. Angry, and raised her arms. Cuts layered over cuts that haven’t had time to fully heal. And just below her shoulder… the unmistakable mark of a crest, carved clean and deliberate into her skin. The Blaise Crest.

Something inside me fractures.

“What have you done to her?” The words tear out, edged with fury. “Are you so utterly incompetent that this is the only method you’re capable of?”

One guard scoffs, shoving her forward with unnecessary force. “Still breathing, isn’t she? Do your thing. You’ll heal her in no time.”

My grip tightens until my knuckles turn pale. I’m normally against using my ability on others, but it would take so little at this point—one well-placed command, one push of power… but the metallic cuffs leave me with nothing to draw from.

They unlock her cell and toss her inside. She stumbles, catching herself just barely before hitting the ground, and the door slams shut behind her with a final, echoing clang.

The guards linger for a second, as if expecting more of a reaction. I give them nothing but a cold, unblinking stare.

Only once they leave, I move towards her.

“Arwen—” My voice drops, shaking and urgent. I reach my arms through the bars of the cell, needing to touch her. “Are you alright? Come here—just—”

My thoughts blur together with my words.

It’s inefficient. I know that. Panic never serves a purpose.

But this situation… this girl. It’s completely upended my control.