Claws began ripping into my brain, tearing it apart a piece at a time. Ilocked my jaw, refusing to scream even as I tasted fresh blood that coated mylips.
Rejection of the memory roared through me. In front of me, Ellery’s image
wavered and reformed into the monster who caused such damage. I wanted to shred the smug smile from his face, but I couldn’t.
Deep inside, hidden behind my mental blocks, not his, the truth rang with the
crystal clarity of a bell. More memories poured over me. Hours spent tied to a chair, while he tore through every mental block I threw up with ruthless skill. In
the end I was left raw and bleeding on so many levels, and open to his suggestions, his will, because mine was curled into a ball in a corner, battered and beaten.
The scream that tore from my throat was hoarse with rage and pain. A wail
of denial.
The bastard laughed. “You’re mine, Cyn. All mine.”
“You’re mine,” another voice whispered under the horror rolling through me.
“Not his, never his.”
“Kayden? ” I was so scared he wasn’t real, even my mental whisper sounded
weak.
“You didn’t break. ” Faint, but there, he offered me a way out.
Even as the telepath’s influence pressed forward, I clutched at Kayden’s
surety. “I did.” At this level of communication, I couldn’t hide my shame or the memories.
“Look around, Cyn. ” Solid and sure, Kayden didn’t give me much choice.
I knew on some level that my tormenter was still crouched in front of me, his
mouth moving, his voice blending with the others, but I didn’t dare listen.
Instead, I fiercely concentrated on the fragile link to Kayden.
The walls behind the monster were jagged puzzle pieces.
A fragile hope burst to life. “That’s me? ”
“That’s you. ” Pride and respect colored Kayden’s answer.
Did I dare believe him? Wolf’s earlier demand echoed through me. ‘ No
matter what, trust Kayden.’
Behind the telepath, the cracks spread faster. Each gaping piece reflected a different scene. It was like watching snapshots of my past, decisions I made, trials I endured, and people I loved.
Love, I thought as one particular piece twisted and fell carrying Kayden’s image with it. A burst of warmth pushed back my despair and gave me a clear
view of what I faced.
A sharp slap jerked my head to the side and the monster’s voice burst back
in, severing my tentative link to Kayden. “Are you listening to me?”
Looking into his twisted, snarling face, the truth of Kayden’s statement
settled and became fact. This was me, my world, my head, and no one else could
come in unless I let them. My insecurities, my faults, were personified into the
one person who scared the shit out of me. This man who tried to break me.
Tried, being the operative word. With a confidence I thought forever lost, I said,
“No.”
The sound of the word acted like a bomb and everything around me silently
exploded in a blinding burst. When I blinked my eyes clear, I was back on the
couch, lying in Kayden’s lap, his fingers tangled with mine, and his face inches
away, smiling.
“Welcome back.” There was a world of relief behind his simple greeting.
“What happened?”
“You broke the telepath’s hold.” Wolf sounded tired.
Unable to see him, I started to push up from Kayden’s lap. He was there, helping me upright. The change in position caused a moment of lightheadedness, but once sitting up, I let Kayden tuck me against his side, my head
on his shoulder. Every stiff muscle protested. “So do we know what he was going to have me do?”
Wolf slumped in the chair. “Not yet, but you made it through the blocks.”
I wasn’t sure that was such a good thing considering those memories that lurked on the edges of my consciousness. Sleep would be taking a vacation tonight. I sighed. “Well, at least we accomplished one thing.”
Wolf pushed up and ran a hand over the back of his neck. His arms dropped
to rest on his knees. “Now comes the fun part.”
My short-term relief faded under rising nerves. “Fun part?” The last half of
