Praised By Magic: Unbreakable Series, Book 3

Chapter 4

Kris

The sharp throbbing pain in my head wakes me. I try to look at my surroundings through my blurry vision. A figure walks toward me. The dark silhouette is the only thing I can make out.

"Don't worry, the pain will subside."

Angela. I know her voice well.

"As for your vision, well, I don't think you should expect much of an improvement."

I don't have to see her to know she's smiling. She has what she wants. Me.

"Just kill me already." I moan.

"That would be too easy." Her footsteps move away from me. To where I'm unsure. "Just know you can't escape and, in the end, yes, you will die. That, however, will not be by my hand." The door clicks shut.

I try to calm myself. My heart thumps hard against my chest, my palms are sweaty and my eyes water from a splitting headache. I'm not bound by anything. I'm free to move around as I please. Still, I do so with caution. Anything with Angela isn't as simple as it seems. I run my fingers along the wall behind me. Concrete. I picture a small concrete cell. Much like a jail cell. I wipe my eyes with my hands and try to focus again. I try to stand, but my wobbly legs give out and I fall back on to the floor.

Closing my eyes, I calm my heartbeat and try to connect with Tyler. I'm not sure how to even do this. The last time I tried was when Jason was pulling me down the stairs at my parents' home in Kentucky. I don't know if he sensed I was in danger or if I connected with him. We never talked about it and now I wish we had. I have been able to show him things before using my mind, but I've always been with him at the time. If we place our hands over each other's hearts, calm our minds, and concentrate, we can get through to one another. It is our special way of communicating. Maybe I can do this without being close to him. Maybe I can get through to him. I have to get in touch with him somehow.

Tyler. Angela has me locked up in a concrete cell. I can't see to tell you where I am. The door opens again, and I jerk at the sudden sound.

"Jumpy, aren't we?" Angela's combat boots squeak echo off the concrete walls. "I brought you some food and water. By the looks of you, you haven't been eating much."

I feel the tray slide onto my lap. "Thanks," I snap.

I want to jump up and fight her. Take her down right now. I know my lack of stability and eyesight would do me more harm than what I could do to her.

She leaves again. Or so I assume.

I keep my emotions in check. I don't want to show any sign of weakness to Angela, but I know she already knows I'm broken. After all, she killed my brother Sam, dad, Janet, and Meadow. My mother was only saved by Meadow's death. A life for a life. Sarah's words still ring in my head.

I eat what tastes like oatmeal from the bowl in front of me. It's so thick that I can barely swallow it without a drink of water. I get a couple of spoonfuls down before my stomach turns. I throw the bowl at the wall across from me and purge everything out of my stomach. It isn't much. After that, I'm stuck dry heaving. My stomach muscles ache and my mouth is dry. I slump over and lie on the floor. The coolness from the concrete feels good on my skin and helps relieve the sharpness of my headache.

I curl up in the fetal position and wait for sleep to come to me. I know it won't get any easier here. Angela isn't a kind person and though she said she wouldn't kill me, that doesn't mean she won't torture me.

Tyler. Please. Please. Help me. I can't do this on my own.

I need to hear the sound of his steady heartbeat and to feel his warmth on my skin with his powerful embrace and gentle touch. I just need him with me.