Chapter 302
Chapter 302
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Avery’s POV
“Pick it up p>
Asher’s voice was cold. He was standing beside me, arms crossed, watching me as I stared at the silver needle in my trembling hand.
“I can’t,” I whispered.
“You can. And you will.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Unless you’d prefer to take the abortion drug instead. I have it right here.” He patted his pocket. “One dose, and the baby will be gone by morning. Your choice p>
I shuddered and looked at Gideon. He was in his cage, gagged and bound. His eyes were wide, pleading. Begging me not to do this.
But I had no choice. It was either this, or lose my child forever. An impossible decision, but one I had to make nonetheless
I swallowed hard and approached the cage. My legs felt like lead. The needle was heavy in my hand, even though it weighed almost nothing.
All the while, I felt Asher’s eyes on me. Watching. Waiting.
I reached through the bars. Gideon flinched when I touched his arm, but he had nowhere to go. His skin was already covered in bruises and cuts from yesterday’s torture. Adding more felt like a crime, but I had to protect the baby. No matter what. He would understand, once we got out of here and I could explain. He had to.
Holding my breath, I pressed the needle against his skin and pushed. It slid in easily, the silver sinking into his flesh like a knife slipping through butter. Gideon’s muffled scream tore through the air, and I yanked my hand back through the bars.
Asher simply smiled and handed me another needle. Then another. And another.
I lost count after the fifth one. Each time, Gideon’s screams grew weaker. Each time, I felt a piece of myself break off and crumble to dust.
The crowd that had gathered was laughing. Jeering. Calling out suggestions for where.I should put the next needle.
I couldn’t look at Gideon anymore. I just kept my eyes down, focused on the task, and did what Asher wanted. One needle after another until, by some mercy, there were no more left.
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Chapter 302
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“Well done, poppet,” Asher said. He placed a hand on my shoulder. Gideon was barely conscious now, laying on the bottom of his cage, trembling and pale and staring at me like I’d betrayed him. Which I had. The needles sticking out of his skin made him look like a pin cushion. “You’re learning p>
I shoved his hand away and turned, walking as fast as I could without running. I didn’t stop until I was back in my tent, where I collapsed on my bed with my hands pressed over my face. I willed myself not to cry, even though my heart felt like it was in a million pieces.
What had I done?
I had to get us both out of here. Soon. Before I lost what little was left of myself. Before Gideon met a fate worse than death.
So I spent the rest of the day planning. By evening, I had come up with something. It was risky, but it might work if I was smart about it.
I called for my guard and clutched my stomach, wincing. “I’m not feeling well. I think it’s the baby. Can you take me to the doctor p>
The guard looked skeptical, but he nodded and helped me to my feet. I leaned against him as he led me out of my tent. We walked through the camp to a small hut near the edge, where effigies made from bones and what looked like hair were dangling from the eaves. The doctor was inside, grinding herbs with her mortar and pestle.
“What’s the problem?” she asked without looking up from her work.
“She says she’s sick,” the guard said gruffly
The doctor finally looked at me. She studied my face for a moment, then gestured to the cot in the corner. “Lie down p>
I obeyed. The guard stayed by the door, watching, but I blushed. “Can I have some privacy, please?” I asked.
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