Page 65 of Splintered Desire

That explains the throbbing in my head, but not my random nap outside in the fucking woods.

A branch breaks not far away, and suddenly, it doesn’t matter how I got here; I just need to leave.

My vision sways as I push up onto my feet, but I blink past it, unwilling to find out who or what is out here with me.

I’ve got enough monsters in my life to deal with, thank you.

A quick pat-down tells me I’m phoneless and still mostly in my fighting gear, including my mask.

What the hell could have…

My thoughts cut short as another twig breaks, and this time someone calls out for me, but they don’t call me by name.

“Little sister,” Jace singsongs, and my heart lodges itself in my throat.

Isaac.

He’d come in after the fight and choked me until I passed out. My hand moves up to my throat at the thought, and sure as fuck it’s tender; no doubt I’ll be sporting a hand necklace in the form of bruises for the next couple of days.

He moves around me like the predator he is. His mask glows in the dark of the forest, the same one he used to wear to fight before he lost it. It's simple, just one of those purge masks you can buy at any Halloween store, with the glowing mouth and X eyes. Usually it wouldn't hold any weight, but it's different when it's on him, when I know the monster that sits behind the mask. It kills me to stay in one spot as he moves to my back, but he's not the only threat I'm currently facing.

“Ah, you're awake, dear sister.” It didn’t register a second ago when Jace said it, but as Kolson walks toward me, I realize the weight of their words.

They aren’t calling me Vixen or Foxy, but sister…

They know, which can only mean one thing.

I spin around to find Isaac not far away, watching, his eyes burning a trail down my body as he looks me over, and my lips pull down in disgust.

Isaac told them.

I’m not surprised, honestly. I’m shocked it took so long, but it still stings.

What I wouldn’t give to be able to shut these wretched emotions off. So unhelpful and ‌very inconvenient.

Kolson wears a long coat that makes me think of old-timey gangsters and has an umbrella, unlike the other two. He walks up, his gaze hard as if trying to stare a hole through my head, stopping so close that his umbrella shelters me from the rain as well.

“Nice fighting tonight.” It’s not a compliment, not really. I see the ice in his eyes and know I’m not going to like whatever comes next.

“I thought before next week, you might enjoy meeting your shadow and the man who will more than likely kill you in the pit.”

The smile that curls his lips is twisted, and for the first time, I see the relation between him and Jace.

I’m not sure what the fuck he means about my shadow, but before I get the chance to ask, another man walks up, stopping just a few steps behind Kolson, and all the air leaves my lungs.

The world spins, and this time I don’t think it has anything to do with my head injury.

“Tank, I’d like you to meet my sister. She’s in need of a lesson, and you're going to be the one who delivers it.”

“What?” Jace shouts, causing Kolson to shoot him a glare. And while he doesn’t push anymore, it doesn’t stop him from groaning and moaning.

“Since you're so damned and determined to get away, we’re giving you a chance.”

I force my eyes back to Kolson and try to focus on what he’s saying. I know it’s important, but I feel as though I’m standing at the end of a tunnel, getting second-hand information.

Now isn’t the time to fall apart.

“There’s about—” he pauses, pushing his sleeve up to check his watch. “Two hours before the sun rises. If you want to be free, all you have to do is escape before the sun comes up.”