Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

RELEASE.

I winced as the words invaded.

But there were no sounds outside my door, no barking commands of the guards or the soft padding of steps from the Daughters. Instinctive alarm filled me as I stepped closer to the door. I reached out, grasped the handle, and pulled.

Click.

It gave way, swinging inward to leave me standing in the wash of white light from the corridor. There was no guard standing outside my door. I inched my way forward, then leaned my head out. There were no guards standing outside any door, for that matter.

Nor were there any Daughters in sight. I glanced over my shoulder to the safety of my room, then turned back. The urge to be silent and obedient was overwhelming.

Fight, Trouble.

Riven’s voice filled my head.

That’s it…stay in control.

I wanted to stay in control. I was desperate for it. Still, that fog in my head was like wading through mud. I forced myself to move, stepping out of the room and into the hallway.Move. Move.I dragged my fingers along the wall as I headed to the nearest Daughter’s room.

I gripped the handle, then turned it.

Click.

Darkness waited. I pushed the door open and lifted my gaze to the curled figure on the bed. “Hurry.” I croaked. “We can leave.”

She rolled over, staring at me, then slowly climbed from the bed. “Leave?”

“Yes, come on.” I pushed the door open wider and left, moving to the next room.

Each door I opened, each Daughter inside I called, but, they didn’t step out, only lingered a step inside the room. They weren’t like me. They were careful, controlled…drugged, that’s what they were.They were drugged.

The thud of heavy steps came. I shoved backwards, scurrying for the open door of my room, eased it closed and plunged into the shadows within.

“The fuck?” The guard snarled.

With my heart in my throat, I inched my door open, straining to hear.

“Did you open this?”

My pulse was booming. I eased the door a tiny bit wider.

“You want to get out of here?” The guard’s voice was bolder.

I peeked around the doorjamb to see him dragging her out by her arm. He pushed her against the wall beside the door, his hand moving from her arm to around the back of her throat. I was transfixed by the sight of him and horrified by her submission. He lowered his head, curling his spine until he nuzzled her breast. Her vacant stare was pinned on the opposite wall as a low, throaty sound came from her.

“You like that?” He bit carefully at her nipple.

“Yes.” She whispered. “I like it.”

He nipped harder, making her wince. “I could fuck you right here and you wouldn’t even fight me, would you?”

“No.” I whispered, my voice growing stronger as I stepped out into the corridor. “But I would.”

She didn’t look my way, didn’t even turn her head. She wasn’t here, not her mind, at least.

The guard narrowed his cruel stare at me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Fear tore through me. In an instant, my mouth was too dry for words.