Bound By Blood: (The Betrayed Series Book 2) (5 page)

M
Y LUNGS CONSTRICT, TIGHTENING IN
my chest as my breaths are deprived from my body. Strong hands hold a musty rag over my mouth and nose, pouring a steady stream of water. Struggling against my bonds, I fight against the restraints shackling me to the table, but it’s no use. Shaking my head, I try to dispel the water from my lungs only to have my head locked in an iron grip, rendering me motionless. The feeling of water slowly flooding my lungs, drowning my ability to draw in a breath, causes my limbs to shake uncontrollably.

Blackness begins seeping into the edges of my vision as the room starts spinning. Muscles in my body convulse as the once furious beat of my heart becomes slow and sluggish. An overwhelming feeling of finality comes over me as my body starts to shut down. Visions of my life flash before me, dancing their way through my mind. My father kneeling on the front porch, handing me a stuffed brown bear. The park we used to hike together when I was younger.

My visions morph, changing as violet eyes stare at me from my subconscious. Alex wrapping me in his embrace, comforting me as I divulge my deepest secrets. The love on his face as he held me the last night we were together. On instinct, I draw in a breath, sucking water deeper into my lungs. My back arches as I begin shaking and convulsing, unable to breathe. Tears flow freely from my eyes as I say a silent prayer, asking God to please help my family to move on, help them to heal when I’m gone, to end this unbearable pain.

As if by some miracle, the flow of water is cut off. On instinct, I begin sputtering, spewing the water from my lungs. Large hands grasp my head, turning it to the side as I vomit and purge the pungent water from my system. Several long moments pass where the contents of my stomach are expelled all over myself and the table. Gasping, I begin drawing in lungfuls of air, greedily sucking it in, unsure if it will be my last. Tension rolls throughout my body, each muscle constricting and tightening. It’s as if heavy weights have been strategically placed all over my body.

Out of the corner of my eye, a shadow presses closer, moving along the wall, making its way to the table. Time suspends as the shadow edges closer. My eyes register the shape that is coming into focus before my very eyes, yet I have no desire to even acknowledge its presence. Retreating into my mind, I fall into my memories once more. Lavender and sandalwood envelop me, promising safety and love. He licks his lips and smiles before lowering his head and brushing his lips gently across mine.

Running his tongue across my lower lip, he encourages me to open for him. My lips part on a sigh as his taste explodes across my tongue. Threading his fingers through my hair, he gives a slight tug, deepening our kiss. Dueling for dominance, our tongues glide against one another’s as my hands slowly begin wandering down his chest.

A sharp, stinging pain rips across my face, bringing me back to the present. Blinking several times, the shadow slowly begins to come into focus. Slender fingers clasp my jaw in an iron grip as I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from whimpering. The smell of her jasmine perfume fills my nostrils, choking me mere moments before her lips brush against my ear.

“Ttal, be a good girl. Make this easy on yourself. Submit to me.” Shifting, she pulls back, peering into my eyes for a moment. Tsking, her voice is tight as she says, “Very well, if that is how you wish it to be then that is how it shall be.”

Motioning to the man in the corner, he grabs the rag and the water once more, heading toward me. The desire to escape rises within me yet again. My situation seems quite helpless, strapped to a table, being held down and tortured by the one person who gave me life. However, I find that I’m not ready to give up just yet. With my renewed energy, I begin thrashing, fighting against my restraints. My ankles and wrists start to burn where the rope is digging into my skin, cutting off my circulation.

“Ttal! Stop this at once!”

“Leave me alone!” Even though I try to shout, it comes out as a hoarse whisper, my voice cracking.

Smiling, my mother croons, “You can make this stop at any time, Ttal. You know what you have to do.” Running her finger down the side of my face, she whispers into my ear, “What are you fighting me for, anyway? Your father? That man you were with?”

My breath hitches in my throat. No. God, please no. Alex. How does she know about Alex? Involuntarily, my head tries to move from side to side. However, her staggering grip keeps me held in place. A whirlwind of questions blows through my mind as I stare blankly at the ceiling. What am I going to do?

I have to protect Alex from her. She can’t know what he means to me . . . can she? Inhaling deeply, I take in a calming breath, trying to clear my frantic thoughts. She has to be baiting me. There is no possible way she could know about Alex.

As if reading my thoughts, she tilts her head to the side, studying me for a moment, a smug grin spreading across her face. “You think I didn’t know about your little escapade?”

Ignoring her question, I turn my head as far as my limited range will allow, letting my gaze fall to the cinderblock wall. Flexing her fingers, she thrusts her sharp nails into the flesh of my cheek, turning my head back to her furious gaze. Warmth trickles down my face, pooling in the crevice of my neck. The coppery tang of my blood saturates the air, causing my stomach to clench. Her voice is hard, devoid of any emotion as she begins to speak once again.

“You think you’re so different from me, but you’re not. We are much alike, you and I. You think that man really wants you, Ttal? Hmmm? He wants one thing and one thing only.” Her eyes tighten around the corners as she stares at me.

“He wants what you have already given him, and you were stupid enough not to get anything in return. Now he is done with you.”

Heat flushes through my body, anger igniting with each of her words. My pulse races out of control with each wild beat of my heart.

Gnashing my teeth, I peer directly into my mother’s eyes as I say, “You know nothing about us.”

Tossing her head back, she lets loose a menacing laugh that sends chills racing through my body.

“Ah, Ttal. You are amusing. That was quite funny,” she says, removing her hands from my face as she waves them in my direction.

“I’m glad I’m here for your amusement,” I reply dryly.

Her eyes grow cold. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she takes a menacing step forward. “You dare to smart off to me?”

My body goes rigid on the table, tensing, and waiting for her to strike. Closing my eyes, I hold my breath, anticipating the blow to come. When it doesn’t, I peel my eyes open one at a time to see her staring at me with open curiosity. With a gentle touch, she runs a soothing hand down my cheek as if she were caring for something she treasured. Wariness begins to set in as I stare back at the woman who gave me life. It’s as if a switch was flipped all of the sudden and someone else is standing in front of me now.

“W-What are you doing?” I stammer.

As my voice registers with her, the fog clears from her eyes and coldness settles back over her features. “You will do well to remember your place. We all have one. Forget that man. He means nothing.”

“He isn’t nothing!”

“Enough! You will join me or pay the consequences. We are bound by blood. You have no choice.”

“You aren’t making any sense! What do you mean bound by blood?”

“It is your duty. No time to explain now. Make your decision. Will you join me?”

“No. I would rather die.”

Anger flashes brightly in her eyes as she grabs the rag and water from her henchmen standing in the corner. Covering my mouth and nose with the cloth, she begins slowly pouring water as she annunciates each word, “That. Can. Always. Be. Arranged.”

Violently shaking my head, I try and dislodge her while holding my breath. I’m only able to move for a few moments before her henchmen is there, holding me down so I’m completely immobile. Tears begin streaming down my face in earnest as I wonder what malevolent deed I’ve done in a past life to deserve this. What in the hell did I do that was so heinous to deserve a barbaric mother?

My lungs begin to burn from lack of oxygen. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision as my limbs tremble from exertion. Unable to hold my breath any longer, I close my eyes, unwilling to look into her dark gaze for another moment. Right away, sharp stinging pains shoot through my left arm, causing me to suck in a breath full of water. Snapping my eyes open, I see the smug grin decorating my mother’s face. A painful tightness begins in my chest, constricting my lungs, tightening my throat.

Unable to breathe, my body begins convulsing, my vision fading as my soul, my life begins slipping away. The voices that were once clear become a low hum as the room shifts, fading to black.

Chocolate . . . dark chocolate, strawberries, and sunshine. My nose twitches. Warmth begins spreading along my skin as if I’m lying on the beach, soaking up the sun.

His velvety voice thrums in my ear. “Open your eyes for me, baby.”

Slowly, my lashes begin to unfuse to take in his ruggedly handsome face. Heat beats down on us from the unwavering sun, warming me to my core. How is he here? Wasn’t I just with her? Muscles in my body grow rigid, tensing beneath him. Reading the uncertainty in my eyes, he smiles.

“Relax, you’re safe for now.”

Dipping his head closer, he places a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose. “You’re so incredibly beautiful, Goddess.” Wrapping his arms tightly around me, he pulls me into his chest. Humming, he begins feathering light touches along my spine as I melt further into him.

“Alex?”

“Hmmm?”

“Where are we?”

He doesn’t answer me right away, just continues stroking along my spine. The hair along my neck begins to tingle, standing on end. Something isn’t right. Am I dead? Well, that can’t be right. Alex is still alive.

Isn’t he? Uncontrollable tremors take over my body. Alex pulls back, catching my chin in his grasp. Peering up at him from beneath my lashes, I find his penetrating gaze. The intensity of his violet eyes nearly takes all of the breath from my lungs. His brow dips, creasing slightly as he looks down at me. Releasing a breath, he sits back and says, “We’re in here.” Lifting his finger, he gently taps on my forehead.

Tears burn the back of my eyes. Quickly blinking them away, I clear my throat. This isn’t real. Of course it isn’t real. I’m still with her. Still wanting to confirm my suspicion, I look to him, asking, “This isn’t real?”

Giving his head a quick shake, he relays, “No, baby, this isn’t real.”

A pained cry is released as I hunch over, curling my fingers into his shirt. Salty tears trek a path down my cheeks as I’m enveloped in his warmth.

“Shhh. Don’t cry. It’s okay. I’ve got you.” His rich, sultry voice soothes the broken edges as he begins rocking me in his lap.

“A-Alex. I-I don’t want to leave you.” My voice cracks as I whisper the words into his neck.

“I know you don’t, Goddess, but you have to.”

He continues to rub a soothing hand up and down the length of my spine. Vigorously, I begin shaking my head back and forth. His deep, rumbling chuckle resonates inside me, startling me as I tilt back, searching his face.

“Alex?”

“Goddess, you can’t stay here, you know that.” I open my mouth to speak, and he places a finger to my lips, silencing me. “Kai, I need you to be strong for me, baby. Hang in there and fight, okay? Can you do that for me?”

For a moment in time, it’s as if he sees straight into my soul. Butterflies begin to flit in my stomach as my pulse races. Swallowing loudly, I nod my head once. Closing his eyes, he rests his head against mine and breathes deeply for several moments.

Opening his eyes, he leisurely leans back and gazes at me. The fierce protectiveness displayed in his eyes leaves me spinning as my breath snags in my throat. Reaching up, he lightly runs his fingers along my jaw, eliciting a small moan. Chuckling, he slips his thumb into my open mouth, running it the length of my tongue.