Page 68 of Cruel Salvation

Tears and fear clogged her throat and her breaths felt stalled in her throat as Tim moved toward her, grabbing her shoulder to still her. In a fair fight, she could take this man, she’d trained with Hurricane and Bein enough to know that big men had weaknesses too and she knew them all, but she had her arms tied, her legs bound to the chair, and her instinct to fight in any way that risked her baby was hampering her.

“You’re right. You’ll do as I say because I have the drug to make you.”

Andrea nodded at Tim. “Give her half.”

She felt the first sting of the needle as it was shoved into her arm, the drug-like poison moving through her veins as she sobbed, feeling more helpless than she ever had in her life.

Tim stepped back beside Andrea and they both looked at her like she was the specimen in a cage. Never had she felt so violated, so afraid, so helpless, but as they watched for what felt like hours, that fear and hopelessness began to wane and a blessed emptiness took over. It was a relief and Lotus leaned into the feeling of nothing, her head falling forward as her breathing calmed. This was better, no pain, no fear, no worry for the baby she carried inside her. Just the readiness to do what was asked.

Looking up, she saw Andrea watching, and waited for her to give her a mission. Her only job was to do as she was asked. No other thought entered her head and then she heard it, a sound that meant the enemy had arrived.

“Nazareli, you’ll do as I say and defend me. I want you to kill the people sent to hurt me. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“You will kill the enemy.”

“Yes.”

Her arms and legs were cut loose, and Lotus rose, rocking her neck to remove the kinks before turning to the sound beyond the door. The enemy was here, and it was her job to kill them, at all costs.