Chapter Thirteen

Larissa

My training began again. Amon said it was necessary since I had already failed him twice. He was right, of course. But then, he was always right. I was the wrong one.

I stepped up to the treadmill, adjusting the backpack filled with rocks. I hated having the weight on my back because it rubbed against the scars where Nadine had whipped me a few years ago. I frowned. No, Amon said it hadn't been Nadine. He was always right, and the backpack filled with rocks was my reminder that I should try harder.

I wore black tights and a crop top, along with sneakers. Once I was standing on the treadmill, I put on the headphones.

Amon started the treadmill at an average pace, but I knew he would increase the speed after only a minute or so. The familiar words began coming over the headphones.

The Morelli brothers stalk and kill their prey. You are nothing to them, and you never were. They wanted to rape and then kill you. You were not their friend. Amon rescued you. He's the only one who can protect and save you…

Over and over the words filled my head. For the next hour, I ran at top speed. Sweat poured off me. This was what I was trained for. The only way to stop it was if I killed the brothers before they killed me.

I was breathing hard when Amon decided I had run long enough. He allowed me to drink some water to quench my thirst, and then motioned for me to remove the backpack. But when he began to lead me toward the table in the room at the back, my feet dragged.

He turned and looked at me. "You know this has to be done. You've already failed me twice. You cannot fail me again."

I downed my head. "I know, but it hurts."

He ran his hand down my cheek. "I know it does, my darling. I only do it to remind you. That's my only reason. You know I would never hurt you on purpose."

"Yes, Amon. I know that. I am very grateful for all you have done for me."

"Good." He leaned forward and kissed me on the mouth. He'd been doing that a lot lately. Sometimes, he would let me lie in bed beside him. He would wear pajamas, but I would be naked.

He liked looking at my body. For some reason, it always made him angry to the point where he would start hitting me. He would begin to cry, and that would make everything worse. I tried to become invisible during those times. It didn't always work. Then Arnie would come get me and take me back to my cage. I wasn't sure what was happening or why he would get so upset.

We walked inside the room. Nadine was already there waiting for us. She smiled, but I don't think it was a kind smile. I quickly looked away. I think she enjoyed hurting me. Not that I didn't deserve it. I got up on the table, lying on my back. With a shuddering breath, I placed my arm on the armrest beside me. Arnie began strapping down my arms and legs, then put the metal helmet on my head and strapped it under my chin.

Please let me get through this, I silently prayed. I wanted to make Amon proud of me.

Nadine jabbed the needle into my vein. I flinched. She taped it down. I felt the sting of the medicine a moment later as it ran into my body. I think I might've whimpered. I wasn't sure. Arnie positioned the black glasses over my eyes.

A movie began to play. It was one I had seen many times. It started with Jude and I laughing together. But then his face began to dissolve, and he became a monster behind the handsome mask.

Ezra was right behind him, horns sticking out both sides of his head, followed by Caspian, who also became a monster. I tried to shrink away from the visions and felt the first electrical shock shoot through my body. I screamed as I tried to get off the table, but I couldn't. The straps kept me from moving.

The brothers ripped off my clothes, tearing me into pieces. Pain ripped through my body. I screamed again. There was another shock.

The pain went on and on and on. I didn't think it was ever going to stop. Agony wracked my body. I only wanted it to end. I knew I brought it on myself. I failed Amon. No, it was the brothers' fault. They were the ones who caused all of this. I would kill them, and then my pain would end.

It all finally stopped. Everything was removed, and Arnie carried me back to my cage, shoving me inside. I curled into a ball and fell into an exhausted sleep. I kept seeing the brothers over and over again. They were ripping people apart and laughing while they did it.

I was the only one who could stop them.

After another week of training, I was ready, but this time, I wouldn't go as an angel trying to lure Jude to his death. No, this plan was better. I would kill one of them today. It didn't matter which one. Losing one of their own would make them weak and more vulnerable.

I would put a bullet near his heart, but not immediately killing him. He would suffer first. That was what Amon said I had to do. Even though the gun wasn't my favorite, I was an expert with the weapon. I couldn't afford to fail this time.

When Amon dropped me off at the perimeter, he gave me a stern warning. "Don't let them take you alive. It would be far better if you slit your throat than to suffer at their hands. Do you understand?"

"I do. I have my knife." I touched the sheath on my hip to make sure and felt the rigid handle.

He stood beside the car with me. "This won't be easy. They will hunt you down if you don't kill them first. You've learned from the videos what they're capable of doing."

A shudder washed over me. "Yes."

"When you finish your assignment, come back, and one of the men will pick you up."

"Yes, sir."

"Now go."

I went into the woods that surrounded the Morelli estate. I was ready for this. Kill or be killed. I ignored the scratches from the underbrush that tore at my leggings. Once, I readjusted my gun, then I continued moving forward.

I saw a squirrel jumping from limb to limb but ignored the creature. I didn't stop and inhale the pine needles crushing beneath my shoes. None of that mattered. I had one goal. One purpose. That was all I concentrated on. I could not fail this time.

Then I saw him. Hatred filled me for the man I once called friend, but who would've murdered me after he and his brothers used and tortured me. I would lure him closer. I wanted to see his face, his eyes, when I put a bullet in him.

I made sure the tiny camera I wore was firmly in place so Amon could enjoy the moment. Then I began. "Jude," I spoke softly but loud enough for him to hear me.

He turned, looking startled, then he held his hand toward me. "Rissa, you came back."

His reaction pleased me, as though he would do anything I asked. I only wanted to draw the moment out and make him suffer the way he would've made me suffer, the way he'd already made Amon suffer.

"You didn't come to me the last time." I needed him to move closer. There were trees around him. It would be too easy for him to quickly dart behind one. I would have failed Amon again, and I couldn't let that happen.

"Are you really Rissa?"

Rissa? No, Larissa. A distant memory came back to me, but I quickly pushed it away. Jude was only trying to confuse me. Amon had told me that I needed to be wary of their tricks. They were demons in disguise.

"Yes, I'm Rissa. Step away from the trees, and you can see for yourself."

"Why do you carry a knife and a gun?" he countered.

I laughed. "I'm quite good with them. I brought them along for my safety, nothing else."

"Who would you fear here? We're all friends, remember?"

Don't listen to him, I quickly told myself.

"What happened that night after you left the clubhouse? You didn't die in the car wreck, did you?"

I hesitated for a moment. "Car wreck?" He spoke in riddles.

I tried to think back to that night, but it was foggy. I remembered Amon came along. He saved me. I took a step back. This was another one of this demon's lies. But he had stepped into the open. That was all I needed. I pulled the gun from the holster and aimed straight at him, then fired, but he was already diving behind one of the trees. No, that wasn't supposed to happen!

"Come out, demon!" I stepped forward. I would hunt him down and kill him.

But someone slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. For a moment, I couldn't breathe as his heavy weight lay on top of me. No! This couldn't be happening. I couldn't fail again. They'd been ready for me. I shoved with all I had, but he only moved slightly. I got a good look at the face, though.

Ezra!

I wiggled one arm free and reached for my knife.

"See what you have done? You have killed me." It was time to end this. I was able to bring the knife to my neck. Before I could slice across it, he grabbed my arm and looked deep into my eyes.

"No, Rissa. I won't let you kill yourself."

I began to tremble from head to foot. No, they weren't supposed to capture me. This couldn't be happening. Amon would have seen it all on the camera and known I had failed. He would be furious with me.

"Rissa, look at me. It's Ezra."

I shook my head. "No, demon. I failed him. I must kill myself." I looked around. They had my weapons. Jude stood close by, Caspian beside him. They were going to torture me. Use my body, then tear me apart.

"We're not going to hurt you," Caspian said as if he could read my thoughts.

"You're safe now." Jude walked closer.

Ezra had taken the knife away from me. Jude held it now. Ezra pulled me to my feet but kept his arm around my waist.

"She's wearing a camera around her neck," Caspian said. He stepped closer, taking it from me. "You'll never hurt her again, you son of a bitch, and when we find you, we'll kill you.

The loud screeching began in my ears. I gasped, holding my head and dropping to my knees. Amon knew I had failed. He was punishing me.

"What's wrong with her?"

"It could be a trick."

"I don't know what it is, but I intend to find out. Let's get her to the house."

Ezra picked me up, but at this point, nothing mattered.

"Her ears are bleeding," I vaguely heard Caspian say. "What the fuck is he doing to her?"