Before, it took my family days to find me. Or was it weeks? I don’t remember anymore. Time moved differently when I was there.
But my captors will be smarter this time around. They’ll know exactly what to do, where to put me, how to keep me hidden.
Panic squeezes my throat like an iron vise, accompanied by a sliver of righteous indignation.
I trained for months with the alphas, and for what? To allow myself to be taken? I should fight back—Iwantto fight back—but I can’t seem to get my body to obey.
Not that I can even do much in my current predicament. The Noths placed a heavy cloth over my eyes and bound my wrists with rope. I’m also burdened by this bodysuit that hangs from me with so much extra weight in this position that even lifting my arms feels impossible.
I’m helpless.
Again.
Always helpless.
This time, when the tears slide down my cheeks, they burn. Or maybeIburn, a corrosive mixture of shame, embarrassment, and fear all vying for dominance inside of me.
I should’ve fought back when they first grabbed me.
Ineedto fight back.
There’s still time.
I don’t know where I am, but I know we haven’t left the academy. It’s only been a few minutes since Sam—God, how could he?—betrayed me.
The Noth soldier digs into my ribs as he carries me like I’m weightless. Each step jars my body, my breath catching with the jounce of his strides. The blindfold scrapes against my skin—too tight, too rough—and the rope around my wrists burns every time I twist.
“Stop squirming,” he growls, palm slapping my thigh.
I don’t feel the sting through the suit, but I go still—not because he told me to, but because I need to think.
What have you learned, Brylee?
I’m tired, my shoulders ache, and my mouth is unbearably dry. But underneath it all, a spark is building—slow, angry, and alive. He thinks I’m beaten. He thinks I’ll remain limp and quiet.
That’s his first mistake.
I focus on the knot connecting my wrists together. It isn’t perfect—too rushed, too cocky. I suppose none of the Noths expected me to fight back this time around. Heaven knows I didn’t the first time they took me.
But that was the old Brylee.
I bend my hands and strain against the bindings until I feel the first slip of slack. My pulse quickens, anticipation racing through me. Then I maneuver my wrists until the rope loosens, allowing me to separate my hands.
Twisting sharply, I bring a knee up and aim in the general vicinity of my captor’s chest. I don’t know if I hit my target, but he stumbles and hisses out a breath.
“Stupid girl,” he growls, tightening his grip.
I draw in another breath, slow and deliberate, and place my hands on the backs of his upper thighs. Then, using every ounce of core strength I possess, I lift my body up, whimpering at the sting.
I slam my head against the back of his as hard as I can.
The pulsing agony makes my vision ripple like the surface of a pond.
I probably hurt myself more than him, but I think I took him by surprise. His grip on me falters momentarily, and I roll off his shoulder and hit the ground hard. Cement jolts my bones, and pain lances up my arms, but I’m moving before I even register it.
Shakily, I bring my hands to my blindfold and tear at the fabric, pushing it away from my eyes. I can’t undo the knot at the back of my head, but at least I can see. That’ll have to do for now.
We appear to still be inside, which is good. I don’t recognize these halls, but then again, I’m not surprised. Darling Academy is massive, with entire wings dedicated to the various personnel who work here and a separate building for visiting alphas.