Fallen Angel [Bellamy Blake]

Chapter 32

When I open my eyes, a splitting headache erupts through my temples. I press my hands to my head, trying to cradle it, but the sharp sting only intensifies. After the number of times I'd been hit recently, I was certain this was a serious concussion.

Light stabs my vision from a single torch flickering in the far corner of the room. I try to shield myself, but my wrists hit cold resistance. Chains rattle, metal cuffs biting into my skin—I'm chained to a rough stone wall.

The room smells of damp earth and decay. The ceiling is low, forcing me to stoop slightly. Bones and tattered cloth litter the ground. My panic flares. I yank hard at the chains, but they hold firm. I stand, straining at every angle, trying to leverage my body, hoping to find some weakness.

"Careful," a drawling voice warns behind me.

I whip around. My throat tightens, my eyes widen. A Grounder towers over me, shadowed by the dim torchlight. He's massive, imposing, every inch of him designed to intimidate. My body jerks instinctively backward.

"You were right, sky boy. This one's got some spirit. Most start begging by now."

My stomach drops. That voice... Sebastian. He's here, beside the Grounder, a sadistic smirk playing across his face. His eyes are cold, hollow, and utterly merciless.

"You—" I spit at him, lurching forward, but the chains dig into my wrists and prevent me from reaching him. Pain shoots up my arms.

"Remember our deal," Sebastian murmurs to the Grounder. "Get all the information you want from her, then the kill is mine."

The words make my stomach twist.

The Grounder rolls his eyes, disinterested. "Yes, sky boy. I know the terms you and Anya agreed to."

Sebastian steps closer, just enough that I can see the darkness in his eyes, but not close enough for me to retaliate. I grit my teeth, trying to hold my glare steady.

"Why?" I manage to rasp, hating the tremor in my voice.

"Oh, don't look so surprised at my betrayal," he scoffs. A twisted smile spreads. "I used you, just like you used me."

My chest tightens. "Why are you doing this?" I scream, voice cracking.

"Why..." he drawls, mockingly patient. "Of course, you don't realize how little you care about what you did. You killed her, you selfish—"

I blink, my mind reeling.

"You killed my mother!" he snaps, rage flashing across his features before he forces a smirk, hiding it. "That day... that day you released the black box recording of your mother's death, you didn't stop to think about the consequences. You planted ideas in her head that pushed her over the edge. And when I confronted you... you didn't even feel remorse."

Tears sting my eyes as I stumble, pressing my back to the wall for support. His words cut deeper than any blade. Maybe he has a point—I hadn't considered the impact my actions could have on others.