Chapter 12: A Sliver of Control

Knox

For the next three days, I avoided Samantha as well as I could in our tiny cell, which seemed to only grow smaller with each hour. I welcomed the rounds of beatings from my tormentors. Each lash, each punch or cut reminded me not to yield, not to give these bastards what they wanted.

"All this can end," they taunted. "Just breed with her."

I spat in answer, right between his bulging eyes.

The guard shoved a blade and an icy sharpness stung through my side.

I gritted my teeth from the pain and waited for the next blow. Their jeers and chants faded against their torture.

"Mate with her, Barbarian." They jabbed metal rods under my nails, then lashed at my chest with whips that cut deep into my skin. When their arms grew tired, they shoved me into the showers to wash, but I could barely stand.

Next, I was thrown back into the cell.

Their words repeated in my mind all day and all night when they weren't beating me. I couldn't let them win, couldn't give in.