She nods meekly and mutters, “Yes, my mate.”
He moves to unclip her metal cuffs and then yanks her to a sitting position. Blood flows freely down her leg and she winces as he grabs her ass and slides it to the edge of the slab. He begins to undo our pants, fisting the now-erect dick underneath.
No. I will not let him rape another woman. I can’t let him do what he did to Lana.
Hopefully he thinks I’m still locked away. Maybe he doesn’t realize I’m still lurking here. I’m hoping his walls will be down, giving me a brief opportunity.
Her face is a mask of numbness, accepting what’s about to happen as fate. I think back to Lana as she realized what Anshar took from her.
As he spreads her legs and guides our dick to her entrance, covered in her blood, I use every ounce of energy I can muster and scream into our shared mind as I fight for control, “No! I will not allow you to do this!”
I concentrate on holding our body still, straining with the effort mentally.
“How the fuck are you still here, human? I banished you. How dare you interrupt me.”
I feel my strength waning as I look her in the eyes and choke out, “Run, quickly.”
Determination flares in her eyes and she drags herself off the table as quickly as her leg will allow. I struggle to hold onto control as the door slams shut behind us.
Hold on, Ash. Hold on. A few more seconds for her to save herself.
Our body trembles with the battle between our conflicting thoughts and directions.
I can’t hold on any longer. He pushes me back into the darkness but I resist, even though I know it’s inevitable. As I feel myself fading, I cling to the relief that I at least gave her a chance, however small.
“I will get you expelled from this body permanently. A trip to the mage will fix whatever the fuck has gone wrong with this spell. Enjoy your trip back to the darkness. You won’t be coming back.”
Surely, he can’t do that?
My vision fades and our body is moving again, not of my accord.
Lana, please know that I love you and that I did everything to stop him from taking from her what he took from you.
Chapter Four
Lana
A bone-crushing hug is the answer to the question in my voice.
I can’t bring myself to tell her how much it hurts due to all my injuries because damn, it feels so surreal to be reunited.
Someone that I share blood with still lives. And I actually fucking remember her? It’s like I’m living in a dream.
She pulls back and smiles at me, cupping my shoulder. I probably look like a lost puppy as I stare at her in awe, speechless. A flopping tongue would just complete the look right now. Can I grow a wagging tail? Is that one of my powers?
I attempt to form words and my mouth flaps open and closed. She smiles knowingly at me and pats me on the head.
Did she just pat me like a dog? Can she read my mind?
“I’m sure this is very overwhelming for you, Lannie. How much do you remember from your past life?”
My brows pinch together as her words direct my thoughts, giving me something to focus on, other than my shock. I try to sort through the memories. “Only bits and pieces, really. I get flashbacks when certain things jolt my memories, like you calling me Lannie and your voice. I remember the most from the battle that ended my life and only a little of my life growing up.”
I search her eyes, looking for the disappointment I know she must feel. Hanging my head, I wonder why she’s even happy to see me. I’m the reason for our kingdom’s demise. Her children’s demise. Possibly my grandfather.
A soft finger taps the bottom of my chin, forcing me to look back up. She cups her hands on my cheeks. “You don’t get to be ashamed around me. I still accept you and love you, Lannie. Gaia has blessed us all, bringing you back to us for another chance.”
Shaking my head from her grasp, I sigh, looking down at my hands. “I’m broken, Grammie. I don’t know how to use these powers. I don’t have a plan. I have flashbacks so painful; they bring me to my knees. How am I supposed to figure all of this out in time?”
The bed dips as she sits next to me, her hip touching mine. Tears spring to my eyes as she grabs my hand in her own aged one. I want to let my walls crumble and sob in her arms until I’m dry to the bone with nothing left in my system.
Her thumb strokes the back of my hand softly, bringing me closer to letting the dam burst with every caress. I look up from our joined hands and into her eyes, wet like mine, with unshed tears.
When she speaks, it’s with a shaky voice. “What happened was devastating, Lannie. I can’t lie to you. Many in this camp lost everyone and everything. It’s going to be a tough battle to get them to accept you, let alone allow you to lead again.”
I nod, resigning myself to what I already knew. A few stray tears streak down my cheeks. “There isn't enough time to master my powers. I had more control over my powers back then than I do now and even that wasn't enough. I wish I could give these powers to whoever has protected you since then. I don't deserve to lead. I'm not worthy of them—the people or this gift.”
She squeezes my hand before bringing it up to kiss it, humming a soft tune. The melodic music, the familiarity of this moment, brings my thoughts to a standstill. Before I know it, my head is on her shoulder and I’m resting, for the first time in what feels like forever, and basking in the love that she exudes so easily, despite the blame that’s on my shoulders.
As she continues to hum, I think back to Beth and how she used to stroke my hair until the memories faded back to the recesses of my mind. She’d tuck me back into my bed and sit on the edge until I fell asleep.
I miss you so much, Beth. So much. I wouldn’t be the woman I am now without you.
My cheeks heat as I begin to sob in earnest, knowing instinctively that I won’t be judged, that I’m safe with her. I grip my Grammie’s hand as she tightens her hold on mine, letting it all pour out from me. She continues to hum and strokes my hand with her free one, allowing me all the time I need without prying.
I want to open up to her. But where do I start? As my mind settles on the first thought, I cling onto it and choke out, “My mother in this life—not by birth but by choice—she was killed a few weeks ago.”
She nods, waiting.
I take a breath between the hiccupping sobs. “My foster parents. They … they abused me before I found Beth.”
I cry for my innocence.
I cry for all of the children in the system who suffered at the hands of their foster families.
I cry for the legions of my people suffering from the traumatic memories of that battle that haunt their days and nights.
She pulls me towards her, shifting us so that my head lies in her lap. Running her fingers through my hair, she waits for me to gain the courage as my body trembles with the grief, fixating on the final blow.
My hand finds the sheet and I squeeze with all my strength. “I was…” my voice falters, catching as I choke on the memory. “I was r…raped. He took my virginity.”
She hisses, her hand stilling, unable to stay silent in the face of this revelation. “Who, Lannie? Are they still alive?”
Nodding my head in her lap, I swallow the knot of grief. “My ... boyfriend. He’s being controlled by Anshar. His actions aren’t his own. That’s why I’m here now. To get Ash back.”