Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
An older one said, “Well, well, you have been in the wars.”
A younger one with a thin chin strap and oily brown hair snickered. “Where on earth did you get a knife? It looks kinda cute on you.”
My arm trembled, but I didn’t lower the weapon. “Leave us alone.”
The men all laughed, their amusement like sick music.
“I lost my blade somewhere in the caves.” The Master with brown hair grinned like a jackal. “Thank you for giving me one. I would’ve hated to miss out on claiming my prize.”
“Fuck you and fuck your friends.” I bared my teeth. “It’s over. The game is over. You lost.”
“Oh, I never lose, little jewel.” He cocked his head. “Besides, you look as if you’ve been warmed up nicely. Rather…tenderised.” He laughed quietly. “I do love the sight of blood in the evening.”
Chills scattered over my skin.
Mollie shivered just once.
Licking his lips, the Master kept his eyes locked on us, refusing to look at his companions. He stood alone as if he’d led the party but wanted nothing to do with those who’d followed him.
Hefting his paintball gun, he clucked his tongue. “Because you’ve done me a favour by bringing a knife to our party, I’ll give you a favour right back.” He pouted. “I do so hate being the bearer of bad news, but…if you’re looking for Master H, he’s not coming. Your worthless Master took a beating from a blowhole at the start of the game. He left, I’m afraid. I hear he’s back at the castle, enjoying a beer at this very moment, all while sticking his dick in some other slut.”
I wasn’t prepared for how violently that picture hurt.
How the thought of Henri touching another made my insides knot into thorns.
He chuckled as I braced myself against such a ridiculous response. “A little possessive, are we? Fancy that you’re his only plaything?” He shook his head and clucked his tongue again. “You poor deluded little thing.” Raising his gun, he aimed directly between my breasts. “Tell you what, I’ll put you out of your misery. I’ll be the Master he never could and release you from all this pain.”
The nude-coloured underwear barely covered me.
The bullseye on my skin distorted and smeared.
But the lines were still visible.
Marking the spot for his bullet.
Mollie and Rachel looked at one another.
The comradery between us faltered with fear.
We could’ve fought off one Master together.
Maybe even two.
But four?
God…
My knife seemed utterly useless against four Masters with guns—even just paintball ones.
If I charge them, I might be able to stab one…
I shifted, ready to run.
The other three Masters behind the scary dead-eyed one raised their guns too. “You can have that one, Kyle, but we’re taking the others.”
Kyle snarled and whirled on them. “No one else fires. You can do whatever the fuck you want to the others, but I’m the only winner, do you hear me?”
I waited for a battle to break out.
The whiffs of testosterone choked me.
But whatever they saw in Kyle’s face made them lower their weapons and nod. “Fine.”
“Good boys.” Kyle blew them a kiss.
And that was my cue.
I bolted.
On silent aching feet, I threw all efforts of survival into attacking first.
“Kyle.” Two of the Masters feinted back, arching their chins in my flying direction.
Kyle spun to face me.
Metres separated us.
Too many metres.
With a surprised, far too gleeful laugh, Kyle swung up his gun and grinned. “Time for some fun, little jewel.”
I feinted to the side.
I tried to get close enough to kill him.
Bang.
The punch of the paintball shot all the air from my lungs.
A burning pain feathered from my sternum.
Choking, I reeled back.
Bang.
This time in my belly.
I doubled over.
Bang.
Pain in my shoulder.
I stumbled sideways.
Bang.
A wallop on my wrist.
I dropped the knife.
Bang.
Agony in my thigh.
I tripped.
And then…there were too many to count.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
I fell backward.
My feet tangled with Peter’s.
I collapsed.
In a blur of speed, Kyle ran toward me, kicked away my knife, and towered over me on the ground.
With an evil smile, he emptied his entire clip into me.
Pain.
Everywhere.
Pain.
All over.
Pain.
Pain.
Pain!
I screamed—
Chapter Six
………………………….
Henri
THAT SCREAM.
It poured into my ears and struck a match in my dark-soaked heart.
I ran.
I no longer knew who I was or what I’d become down there.
But I knew that scream.
Every part of my soul recognised it just as I’d recognised her that first night.
Different.
Familiar.
Mine.
I tripped and almost fell over a fallen tree.
My bare feet found every sharp stick and agonising debris.
I ran on dregs.
I powered on fumes.
But I didn’t stop.
The scream came again, followed by two others.
Fuck!
I raced faster, climbing the hill and cutting to the left toward the cliffs.
Birds chattered in the trees.
Clouds clotted as night quickly fell.
Exhaustion didn’t touch how I truly felt.
My endurance had peaked an hour or so ago as I’d swam out of the caves, fighting the tide and fearing I’d drown. I’d made it just before a heavy wave slipped through the crack and prevented any others from exiting.