11. Kali

11

KALI

S taring up at the dark ceiling of the cell, my mind races with a thousand thoughts. The news of my impending sale at the auction in just three days has left me reeling. I can hear Luna and Alice's soft, even breathing nearby, and I envy their ability to sleep.

My heart clenches at the thought of being torn away from my friends, the only constants in this nightmare. We've been through so much together and endured unspeakable horrors. The idea of facing an unknown future alone terrifies me.

But there's another fear. Matias. The psychotic, manipulative bastard who's tormented me relentlessly. I should be relieved at the prospect of escaping him and his electrifying touch that sets my body on fire even as my mind screams in protest.

Yet, the thought of never seeing him again, of losing that dark, magnetic connection we share, fills me with a profound sense of loss.

I roll over, burying my face in scratchy hay to muffle a sob. I hate myself for feeling this way, for craving the very monster who's brought me so much pain. But in this hellish place, where brutality and desire intertwine, Matias has become a twisted anchor, a source of sick comfort.

I don't know what the future holds, whether I'll end up in the hands of some cruel stranger or if, by some miracle, I'll find a way to escape. All I know is that these next three days will be a final dance with the devil who's claimed a piece of my soul.

The cell door creaks open, and a familiar figure steps inside as if I conjured him with my thoughts. Matias. His dark eyes lock onto mine, and I quickly turn away, not wanting him to see the tears that stain my cheeks.

But it's too late. He's already noticed. With a few swift strides, he's at my side, his rough hand cupping my chin and forcing me to meet his gaze. His expression's a strange intensity, a mix of possessiveness and something else I can't quite decipher.

"What's this, little rabbit?" he murmurs, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "Are you crying for me? Because you know you're going to be taken away from me?"

I try to turn my head to escape his piercing stare, but his grip is unyielding. My heart races in my chest, a traitorous rhythm that betrays his effect on me.

I want to deny it, to spit in his face and tell him that I'm crying tears of joy at the thought of being free of him. But the words stick in my throat, and I remain silent, my eyes locked on his.

Matias leans in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "You can't hide from me, Kali. I know the truth. You're mine; no matter where you go or who buys you, that'll never change."

His words send a shudder down my spine. I hate myself for the way my body responds to him, for the way his proximity makes me ache with a need I can't control.

Matias's grip on my arm is firm as he leads me out of the cell, his steps purposeful. I stumble along beside him, my heart racing with a mixture of fear and anticipation. Where is he taking me this time? What new torment does he have in store?

Surprisingly, he doesn't lead me down the dark, winding path to the forest. Instead, we go through a series of dimly lit corridors, our footsteps echoing off the cold, damp walls. I try to memorize the route, but the twists and turns are dizzying, and I soon lose track.

Finally, we reach a door, and Matias pushes it open, revealing another small, sparsely furnished room like the first one he took me to. There's a bed in the corner, and a single light bulb hangs from the ceiling, casting a sickly yellow glow over everything.

He shoves me inside, and I stumble, catching myself against the wall. I turn to face him, my breath coming in short gasps. But there's something different in his eyes tonight, an emotion that I can't quite place.

Without a word, he stalks toward me, his movements predatory. I shrink back, but there's nowhere to hide. His hands find my waist, and he pulls me against him, his body hard and unyielding.

I brace myself for the brutal onslaught of his desire. Instead, his touch is almost gentle, his fingers skimming over my skin with a tenderness that catches me off guard. He's still rough, but there's an undercurrent of something else that makes my heart ache.

His lips find mine, and he kisses me with a fierce intensity, his tongue delving into my mouth, leaving me breathless. I find myself responding and my body melting into his.

He breaks the kiss, his dark eyes boring into mine. I see a flicker of vulnerability I've never witnessed before. It's gone in an instant, replaced by the familiar hunger.

Wordlessly, he pushes me down onto the bed, his body covering mine, his weight pinning me in place.

I let out a shaky breath as Matias looms over me, his dark eyes burning with an intensity that terrifies and captivates me. "Please," I murmur. "Don't do this."

Matias's lips curve into a twisted smile, and he leans in, his breath hot against my skin. "Don't do what?" he murmurs, his fingers tracing the curve of my waist. "Don't claim what's mine?"

His hand slides up, cupping my cheek, and I can't help but lean into his touch. "You know the truth, Kali," he whispers, his thumb brushing my bottom lip. "No matter who tries to take you from me, you'll always be mine."

I shake my head, trying to muster the strength to push him away, but his grip tightens, and I find myself trapped beneath him. "I'm not yours," I whisper. "I'll never be yours."

Matias lets out a low, rumbling chuckle. "Oh, but you are," he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine. "And you know it, don't you? Deep down, you crave me, just like I crave you."

I try to turn my head to avoid the searing intensity of his gaze, but he won't let me. His fingers tighten around my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. "Look at me, Kali," he growls, his voice low. "I want to see the truth in your eyes."

I can feel the tears welling up, threatening to spill over, but I refuse to let them fall. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break, not again. Instead, I hold his gaze, my eyes narrowing in defiance.

Matias's expression darkens, and for a moment, I think he'll lash out to punish me for my defiance.

Slowly, his grip on my chin loosens, and his hand slides down, tracing the curve of my neck. His touch is gentle, starkly contrasting to the brutality I've come to expect.

"You're so beautiful when you defy me, you know that?" he murmurs. "It makes me want to break you, to shatter your stubborn spirit until all that's left is a quivering, desperate thing that lives only for my touch."

I can't suppress the shudder that runs through me at his words, and I hate how my skin tingles with anticipation.

Matias's lips curve into a predatory smile, and he leans in, his mouth brushing against the sensitive skin of my neck. "But not tonight," he whispers, his breath warm against my skin. "Tonight, I want to savor you, to take my time and make you beg for my mercy."

His lips trail lower, leaving a scorching path along my collarbone. I bite my lip, my body trembling as anticipation coils in my stomach. I know where this is going, and despite my best efforts to resist, I find myself wanting and needing more.

Matias pauses, his eyes flicking up to meet mine as if seeking permission. When I don't protest, a low and hungry growl rumbles from his chest, and he continues his descent, his tongue tracing a path lower until?—

Oh God.

His mouth closes around my clit, his tongue swirling sensuously, sending shocks of pleasure throughout my entire body. My hips buck, and I let out a strangled moan, my hands tangling in his hair, unable to resist.

He works his magic, his tongue and lips driving me wild, and it doesn't take long for my body to betray me. I'm a mess of needy whimpers and desperate pleas, my back arching off the bed as the tension coils tighter.

Just when I think I can't take anymore, he slows, drawing out my torment, savoring my pleasured state. "Please," I whisper. "Matias, I?—"

He silences me with a stroke of his tongue. My hips buck wildly, and I'm lost, careening over the edge, screaming his name as my body shatters into a million pieces.

I'm barely aware of my surroundings as I come back to my senses, my body still humming with the aftershocks of my release. But Matias isn't done with me yet. I can see the hunger in his eyes as he looms over me.

Before I can catch my breath, he's on me, his lips crushing mine in a demanding kiss. I can taste myself on his tongue, and it only fuels the fire within me.

He pulls away, his eyes dark and full of desire. "I want you, baby," he growls, his voice thick with need. "I want to feel you around me."

I whimper, my body already responding. "No," I whisper, even as my hips instinctively lift off the bed.

Matias silences me with another kiss, his tongue plunging into my mouth possessively. He reaches down, unzipping his pants and positioning himself at my entrance.

"Please," I whisper again, unsure if I'm begging him to stop or continue.

Ignoring my protest, he thrusts forward, filling me in one swift, powerful move. We both moan at the connection, our eyes locking.

He moves, his hips snapping forward in a primal rhythm. With each thrust, he claims me, branding me as his own. And this is what I've craved since last night. To be filled with him again.

Matias kisses me fiercely, his tongue mimicking the rhythm of his hips as he drives into me. I'm lost in a blur of sensation, my body alive with a need that consumes me entirely.

I'm panting, breathless, my nails digging into his back, desperately seeking purchase as he continues his relentless assault. It doesn't take long for the coiled tension to build again, tighter and hotter.

"Matias," I gasp, my voice a mere shadow of its former defiant self. "I'm—oh God?—"

He silences me with another kiss, swallowing my cries as my body explodes around him, my walls clenching tightly as pleasure washes over me in relentless waves. He growls against my lips as his release hits him, too, filling me with his seed. Thank god I've got an IUD. The risk of getting pregnant with a psychopath while captive makes me sick.

"Such a good girl," he purrs and then kisses me, his cock still deep inside me. All I can think is I never want him to leave.

I know I belong to him, mind, body, and soul.