Chapter 206: Luke

Machala was asleep, her breathing deep and even. I sat down beside her and transferred our lunch to the nightstand. I moved pillows beneath her head after loosening the straps at her wrists. I went into the bathroom and soaked a washcloth in warm water. I hadn't left any cuts on the front of her body, but welts covered her. After running the cloth over each welt, I rubbed ointment into her skin.

She woke up when I loosened her wrists, but waited until I finished with the ointment before speaking. "I can't do it, Luke. You're wasting your time." Her dejection came through in each soft word.

I slowly removed the blindfold so she could see my eyes. She squinted into the light before her gaze settled on mine. "I love you. It's not something you walk away from. I can't watch you suffer alone. Sharing your terror may not help, but I'll be there and I'll know the worst. I've imagined so many things and each one causes me sleepless nights. You have no idea the abuse I've imagined. I only wan