Whispered Promises

She cried out loud, “Hold on, Mary! Help is coming. Don’t give in to the darkness.”

Brie had no concept of how much time had passed, but it was long enough that her unbearable hunger was slowly being driven out by her intense thirst.

She licked her dry lips and shivered in the darkness, wondering when rescue would come. She’d begun daydreaming about water. But her thirst, combined with the cold, kept demanding her attention and left her no escape from the torment.

When she finally heard footsteps approach the door, Brie felt both relief and dread.

She tensed in fear when the door opened, and then cringed when bright white light filled the room. It physically hurt, like looking into the sun, and she whimpered as she buried her head in her arms.

The footsteps continued until the man stopped in front of the cage.

Holding her breath, Brie wondered if Venom had come to torment her further. Instead, she heard Holloway ask, “Are you thirsty?”

Even though she thoroughly hated the man, Brie nodded without lifting her head.

Her heart skipped a beat when she heard him unlock the cage. She lifted her head and squinted in the bright light while the door slowly swung open.

Brie was surprised to see Holloway holding out a glass of water to her.

When she reached out to take it, he chuckled and took several steps back. “No, you do not get the honor of drinking from the glass.”

She frowned in confusion.

“First, you will bow at my feet. Then, you must beg for it.”

Brie’s eyes narrowed. “I will not beg to the likes of you.”

Holloway sneered. “You’ve always failed to give me the respect I deserved, but I will teach you to grovel like a good slave.”

Brie rolled her eyes. “That will never happen.”

He raised an eyebrow, saying with confidence, “You will be surprised at the things I can make you do.”

Raising her chin higher, she told him, “It won’t be long until my husband comes—just like he did at the theatre. Thane will stop at nothing to find me, and with Rytsar Durov by his side, I can guarantee your life will be forfeit.”

“You are a fool, but you always have been,” Holloway said condescendingly. “There is a whole underworld you know nothing about. This compound is off the grid. Only a select few know it even exists, and every person here would die to protect me. But, you? You have no worth here. You are but chattel to them. I could snap your neck right now simply for the fun of it and no one would care.”

Brie was frightened, certain he was telling her the truth, but she continued to stare at him defiantly.

Holloway chuckled. “Ah, I see you still believe you have value. Rest assured, I will strip that from you layer by layer.” His eyes grew dark when he added, “And I will enjoy every moment of your awakening.”