Share
48
Kaugnay na kabanata
His Desire 49
~KivaThis is bad. Really bad.Ark has taken me back to the compound again, letting me calm down. I haven't slept, unable to stop replaying the events of the other night over in my head.Caspian is free. I'm free from him, although not free from Ark.But that is the least of my concerns. Ark's accusation rings in my head. His sister is dead, and somehow Caspian is involved, and so is my father.Did they kill her? My stomach churns at the thought.Rolling over in bed, I tuck my knees to my chest, wanting to sob. I have no reason to trust Ark, and yet I believe him. Seeing his expression, hearing the way he spoke has made it clear to me that whatever is going on is terrible.I just can't wrap my head around how my father is involved.The sound of voices drawing near has me sitting up. The guards that are usually posted outside my room don't speak much, and don't dare come in.Not like Ark did...It's strange to think that he once guarded my door as these people now do. I don't even know
His Desire 50
~KivaI let them come to me first.Their faces are concealed by shadows, but I don't need to see them anyway. They are just more rebels who would rather kill me than risk allowing me redemption.The tallest one lunges for me first.Anticipating their attack, I slash the shard of glass along their arm in a similar fashion as with a knife. Ark's training rings in the back of my mind, giving me some confidence in my ability to get out of here.The rebel hisses in pain but barely flinches, still advancing on me. They manage to grab my arm in a firm grip, holding the glass away from themselves.Someone kicks me in the lower back, a jolt of pain accompanying me in my fall to the floor.I hadn't even realised someone had come up behind me...The rebel who kicked me climbs on top of me, trying to wrestle my arms behind my back while another readies the rope to wrap around my neck.With my cheek pressed against the cold floor, I try not to let my panic exhaust me.They really are going to do i
His Desire 51
~KivaI walk through the manor doors, shoulders back, chin tilted up.The guards stare in wonder and confusion, making to say something, but I wave them off. I don't want a fuss."Get my father," I tell one of them.The nod, rushing off toward his office.It's early evening and I'm finally returning home. I spent my entire childhood in this home, and now it just feels vast and empty, void of everything that once pleased me.Ark and I spent the whole day coming up with a plan for tonight. I've come here to find evidence of what Ark has alleged.Not even a minute later my father is rushing down the stairs toward me.Only a day ago I would have rejoiced at seeing my father. I may have felt overcome with emotion, grateful to have been freed from the rebels.Now, I feel nothing but repulsion."Father," I say, trying to sound relieved, although it comes out rushed and a little rehearsed."Kiva...oh my baby, you're home." He ushers me into a hug, holding me close. I let him, fighting the urg
His Desire 52
~KivaMoments later, a figure emerges at the window, clambering through.I tense, watching Ark duck his head under the glass, snow dusting his shoulders and hair. I admire the ease at which he climbed up the trellis considering the amount of times I have fallen from it.He removes his cloth mask, breath clouding in front of me as he meets my gaze.His expression immediately softens. "Hey, are you okay?"I look down at my hands, unable to face him. This is the most horrifying discovery I have ever made and I am still reeling from it."I...no."He's crouched in front of me in an instant, grabbing my hands in his gloved one's. The ice still lingering on the fabric burns at my skin, but I welcome the distraction."What happened?" he asks gently."I found something. Bad," I tell him, fighting past the lump in my throat to say it.I feel so stupid. How many years was this going on and I never knew about it? Ark allowed me to hate him for weeks, trying to protect me from the horror that I wo
His Desire 53
~KivaThe dining room opens up around as I approach where my father sits, enjoying his breakfast.A shaft of sunlight cast through the towering dining room windows gives my father a deceptively ethereal glow.He looks innocent. He couldn't be further from that.His eyes lift as I wander in. "Good morning. Feel better?"I school my expression into a smile, remembering the story. I was kidnapped, and now I am home and terrified the rebellion is going to come for me."I feel...fine," I exclaim stiffly, sliding into my chair.Father's gaze feels heavy as I carefully select my breakfast. A piece of toast I'm going to smother in spread, accompanied by some fruit.It's what I would choose if I weren't hiding something. It's what I would choose if I weren't moments away from throwing up on the polished floor."You have been through a few hard weeks, haven't you dear?"I ignore the bite of pain in my stomach. His sincere tone doesn't help the situation. I must fixate on Ark, his sister and all
His Desire 54
~KivaSteadying myself, I head through the front door.Initially I planned to burst in and confront my father, to threaten him. However, once I enter, hearing voices drift down the hall, I decide to slow play this.Pressing my back against the wall, I inch closer to the room, keeping my eye out for anyone who could pass by.This place seems like any other home. Aspects of it have clearly been changed to suit a business, with what looks like a waiting room in the old sitting room and a reception in the foyer.I will investigate the intricacies of the place later. For now, I want to hear what my father is saying.“How do we know they don’t already have something on us?” The unfamiliar voice sounds panicked.“If this were about the business they would have killed my daughter.”I draw in a breath. They are talking about the rebellion. Father would never openly tell me what he thinks, so I listen keenly.“Maybe they were planning to.” The other voice sounds like they are pacing.“She doesn
His Desire 55
~KivaI roll my head back, groaning.Consciousness has struck me harshly and quickly, dragging me back up to reality. My vision spins, something on the back of my head aching sharply.It slowly dawns on me that I was hit viciously on the back of the head.My vision eventually starts to steady, the messy splotches of colour finally piecing together to reveal my father."Kiva," he says in a calm, steady voice.I blink. I'm in the room where I saved Erin, tied down to the bed. When I lift my hands, they are weighted down by thick iron chains."Why am I tied down," I ask breathily, trying not to let panic overwhelm me."Did you follow me, sweetheart?" father asks, taking a tentative step toward me. Behind him are two guards who stare me down menacingly. "Did Ark have you follow me?"I let out a long breath, trying to process what is happening.My father now knows that I've learnt about what is going on here. I'm tied down in a place where girls before me have been tortured and murdered,
His Desire 56
~KivaWe walk hastily through the forest, circling around the wait.We don't speak as we walk. Louis's breath is harsh as he keeps up a decent pace while still carrying Erin in his arms. My mind is still whirling, or maybe that's the blood I'm losing.It takes over an hour of us walking before we make it to Louis's home on the east side of the river. It's a simple wood cabin with two rooms and a bathroom.I would be happy for him, if I didn't know the job title that is funding this place.My legs wobble beneath me as I approach the couch, colours spotting in my vision. Louis hurries into another room, placing Erin on the bed.I sit slowly, feeling faint.I've lost a lot of blood from the back of my head. When I look down it's all over my chest, drenching the front of my shirt from where it has run down my neck."She's been drugged. She will be out for a bit," Louis says, closing the bedroom door as he comes out."It's for the best. She need's rest," I say quietly, squeezing my eyes sh
Pinakabagong kabanata
