Mark Caten admired the woman trapped in his hands. “You know, I didn’t really expect you to choose some unknown person over me.” He stroked Preyuna’s throat with his thumbs. “Some unknown person who may not even be real.”
Her eyes fluttered open. “What? Did you make that all up?”
He laughed. “Oh, dear cupcake. You can’t really expect me to answer a question like that. It’s so much more interesting if I leave it ambiguous. Keep you wondering. See? So much more interesting than a flat Yes or No. The real question is: Do you really think I’d surrender you to anyone that easily? If I did, would I really give you a choice in the matter?”
“You. You!”
He grinned and pushed her down to her knees. “Now, I want you to sit here. Right here. Right next to me. All day.”
She opened her mouth.
He covered it with his hand. “And remember, my squishy cupcake: You chose this. You wanted this. So, shut your mouth and don’t waste my time with whines and complaints. I’m not interested in hearing any of it.”
He uncovered her mouth and went back to work.
***
It was all a lie.
No. More than that, it was a trap. I walked right into it and took the bait. I should have known better. He is right. There is no way that he’d be willing to surrender me to anyone, friend or foe.
I have no one to blame but myself. I chose him over potential freedom.
She looked up at him as he typed up an e-mail.
And I would gladly do it again.
Come Sunday and I will be free.
I will finally be free.
Robin will not disappoint me. I am sure of it.
***
Dave watched Caten manhandle Preyuna. A shiver of revulsion ran down his frame.
No one should be treated like that. Not even her. I should do something to stop it. We both should.
He side-glanced at his fellow guard. “Haaaank.” he whispered.
Hank shook his head.
“We shouldn’t let him do that to her.”
Hank didn’t respond.
Dave sighed. “It just isn’t right.”
Hank shook his head again.
Maybe killing him is the right thing to do. I wonder if it’s the only thing to do.
Can anyone speak sense to him? Can anyone make him see the error of his ways? Can anyone change him into a good person? Can he become a good person?
Dave frowned as he tried to imagine a good and caring Mark Caten. It creeped him out a little.
Hank bumped hands with him. “We’ll discuss this on break.” he said softly. “Not here. Not now.”
Dave nodded. “Got ya.”
***
Jay put his journal back under the rocker and approached the bed.
Isellta lay there, still uncovered as Preyuna had left him.
He pulled the blanket up and covered the fey’s unconscious body.
Just as another convulsion seized Isellta.
Jay knelt beside the bed.
I’ve done everything I could think of. Everything. What else can I do? How can I save him? How can I call him back to me?
There is nothing else. Nothing.
Except for one last thing.
He bowed his head and prayed.
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