Chapter 4

I found an empty restroom and ran cold water over the burn until my leg was numb.

As for burn salve, that would have to wait until we were off this cursed train.

Luckily, the journey was almost over.

When I limped back to my seat, the kind-faced Omega healer from before glanced at me with concern.

Seeing the storm in my eyes, however, he wisely kept his distance.

A few hours later, as the train began to slow for its final approach to the station, Kael finally materialized in the public car.

"Alright, have you sulked long enough?" he asked, his tone dripping with a patience I could no longer tell was real or fake, as he reached to ruffle my hair.

I flinched away, turning my head.

Kael sighed, a mask of weary patience settling on his face. "Look, I'm sorry. The signal on this rust bucket is terrible, I never got your message. Can we move past this?"

He lowered his voice, his tone shifting to that of a magnanimous leader. "But Elena, your behavior was unacceptable. You can't just attack people. That's beneath you."

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, his touch making my skin crawl. "I'm willing to let it go this one time. But you have to promise me, no more bullying Seraphina. Deal?"

I didn't say a word.

There was nothing left to say.

My silence was a void.

But Kael took it as submission.

He smiled, pressing a triumphant kiss to my forehead. "That's my good girl. That's my one and only mate."

Before, his kisses had sent sparks through my veins.

Now, they just made me want to vomit.

"Come on, let's grab our bags and get off." Kael reached for my hand.

I ignored it, pushing myself to my feet.

He just chuckled, assuming I was still sulking.

He pinched my nose playfully. "Fine, have it your way. But stay close. I don't want to lose my mate on the platform."

Too late for that, I thought, a cold emptiness settling in my chest. You already did.

The jarring chime of our arrival pulled me from my dark thoughts.

We were here.

The train was at the station.

Kael, already shielding Seraphina, was swallowed by the surging crowd in an instant.

I stared at my two large suitcases, then pulled out my communicator. [Father. After warrior camp ends, I have something important to tell you.]

I was contemplating the long drop from the train door to the platform, wondering how I'd manage my luggage alone, when the Omega healer's voice appeared at my elbow.

"There you are, little wolf."

"My, those are heavy cases for one person. Here," he said, already moving. "Let me get these down for you. You can take them once we're on the platform."

As he spoke, he shoved his own water bottle into my hands. "Hold this for me, would you?"

Then he heaved my suitcases and headed for the exit.

It all happened so fast, I didn't have time to refuse.

I fumbled with the bottle he'd thrust at me.

A strange, cloying herbal scent wafted up from the bottle, but in the sensory chaos of the train, I dismissed it as just another odd smell.

I followed him onto the platform, ready to thank him and retrieve my bags.

But as I opened my mouth to speak, a thick fog began to creep into my mind.

My strength, my senses, my very will—they were all draining away, fast.

The healer's kind expression melted away like wax, replaced by something cold and predatory.

His gaze lingered on my face, a strange heat in his eyes.

He reached out and stroked my cheek, his touch making me shudder. "Well, good job. Seraphina wasn't kidding. Skin like porcelain. Enough to make a man's blood boil.

And your body... so healthy. Your organs will fetch a high price."

"From now on," his voice was a low, chilling purr, "you'll call me 'Uncle.' And you're going to be a good little niece and do everything I tell you. Understand?" He took my hand, his grip like steel, and began to pull me along.

A silent, primal scream was trapped in my chest.

Liar! Predator! Run! Kael, where are you? Help me!

But my body was no longer mine.

I could only watch as my own head gave a slow, placid nod. "Okay... Uncle."

I followed him, a puppet on a string.

Kael, Kael, please!

Kael, come back, I'm scared...

Perhaps some cruel twist of fate heard my silent plea, because my communicator rang. It was Kael.

For a single, hopeful second, a flicker of light pierced the fog in my eyes. The healer just sneered. "Don't get your hopes up. Your mate has more important things to worry about."

Not bothering to hide, he answered the call on speaker.

His voice was rushed, distracted. "Elena? Hey, listen, Seraphina's got a bad case of heatstroke. I'm taking her to the medic wing. Shuttles to camp are by the main exit, just grab one and check in. Love you, bye."

With the last of my strength, I forced out a single, desperate plea. “Save… me…”

“Alright, Elena, stop it,” Kael’s voice was sharp with annoyance. “Don’t use these kinds of tactics to get my attention. Seraphina’s situation is serious.”

The line went dead.

A sharp sting exploded across my cheek as the healer’s hand connected with my face.

"Still trying to be clever? Looks like I’ll have to break you in properly."

Then, he grabbed a fistful of my hair, dragging me toward a nondescript cargo truck with a reinforced cage welded into the back.

For the first time in my life, I had been struck.

Humiliation burned hotter than any physical pain, and tears of rage streamed down my face.

I bit my lip until it bled, swearing a silent, vicious oath that every single person who had a hand in this would pay.

Darkness swallowed me as the doors sealed shut.

My last glimpse of light was a black shadow, rocketing toward me.