Evaline:
For a second… I couldn't move.
I just lay there, my chest heaving, my lungs struggling to pull in air that refused to co fast enough. The pain in my ankle throbbed violently, sharp and blinding, sending waves of nausea through .
And when I finally looked up, Damian stood right over with that familiar smile curving his lips. His eyes held an emotion I could only describe as... satisfaction, or victory.
Like he had expected this all along.
Like my escape had been nothing more than a brief amusent to pass his ti.
My stomach twisted violently. A part of - small, quiet, and trembling - knew I couldn't outrun him anymore.
Not like this. Not with my body barely holding together. But that didn't an I would stop, that didn't an I would give up.
No.
If he wanted to take back, he would have to drag there. And I would make sure it cost him.
I pushed myself up slightly, ignoring the way my ankle scread in protest, my hands trembling as I tried to steady myself.
He tilted his head, watching like I was sothing interesting. "Impressive," he murmured. "You made it farther than I thought you would."
His eyes glead as he added, "But not far enough."
The smile on his face, it wasn't just mockery. It was sothing darker, sothing twisted, sothing that made my skin crawl.
He was going to enjoy this.
I knew it. I could feel it. And I refused to let him have that satisfaction. My fingers curled against the ground as I forced myself to et his gaze.
"I'm not going back with you," I rasped.
His smile widened.
"Oh, dear Eva…" he stepped closer, his move slow and deliberate. "You don't have a choice."
I glared at him, letting him see just how much I hated him. Had always hated him.
"You are sick, Damian." I finally said the words out loud. "You are actually more evil than that ancient soul feeding on innconet wolves."
If I expected a reaction, I did got one - a bright smile as if he considered my words a praise. "Evil or not, you have to spend the rest of your life with ."
I was about to speak, but the words got stuck in my throat as a sudden warmth blood inside . It was soft at first, faint, but there.
My breath hitched.
What-
It spread through my chest, curling around my ribs, seeping into the very core of like a forgotten piece finally returning.
For a heartbeat, I thought it was my healing power. That the effects of the drug had finally worn off. But the very next second I realized it wasn't my power.
No.
This was different, deeper, stronger... familiar.
And then-
"Evaline…"
My heart stopped.
River.
His voice echoed in my mind, distant… uncertain… like he wasn't sure if I could hear him.
Tears burned my eyes instantly.
I reached for the bond instinctively, desperation flooding through , ready to answer.
"Riv-"
Before I could even finish speaking his na, pain exploded through .
A scream tore from my throat as Damian's hand clamped around my twisted ankle and yanked.
Agony shot up my leg, white-hot and blinding, ripping the breath from my lungs.
"Ah-!"
Before I could even recover, his other hand shot forward, wrapping around my throat - tight, crushing.
My vision blurred instantly as he squeezed, cutting off my air.
"Trying to reach them?" he asked, his voice low, dangerous.
My hands flew to his wrist, clawing, pushing, trying to pry him off - but his grip only tightened.
I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Spots danced in my vision as panic surged. But I didn't stop fighting.
Not when they were so close.
I twisted my body, forcing my weight to shift, ignoring the way my ankle scread again as I moved. My hand slid down his arm, using his own grip against him...
Just like Oscar had taught . Just like River had drilled into again and again.
Use their strength. Don't fight it.
I shifted again, jerking my body sideways while pushing hard against his elbow. And just for a split second, his grip loosened.
Air rushed into my lungs in a sharp, painful gasp. But I wasted no ti celebrating. I moved fast, faster than I thought I could.
I slamd my shoulder into him, using what little strength I had left, forcing him to stumble back just enough for to tear free from his hold.
I staggered away, coughing violently, my throat burning.
Damian froze, just for a mont. I watched as surprise flickered across his face. But it didn't last.
It never did.
The shock lted into sothing darker, more dangerous.
"Well…" he exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. "That was unexpected."
I didn't respond. I was already moving again. I didn't bother running because I knew that would be the stupidest thing to do with a twisted ankle. Instead, I decided to fight.
He noticed my intentions imdiately, and smirked. "You want to play? Sure. Your brother will play with you."
He didn't waste another second and lunged.
Fortunately, I was quick enough to twist in ti and barely avoided his hand as it shot past .
Pain scread through my body with every movent, my strength draining faster than I could keep up. But I didn't stop.
My mind scread at to reach for the bond again. To call out. To answer.nBut there was no ti, no space. Every second was a fight. Every breath a battle.
Damian moved faster. He was stronger. He caught my wrist and yanked toward him.
I gasped, my body slamming into his as I struggled, pushing against him, trying to break free... but he was too strong.
And I was - weak, drugged, injured, broken - still... I fought. With everything I had left.
I twisted again and drove my knee upward. He blocked it easily and tightened his grip on .
"Enough," he snapped.
But I didn't stop. I had no plans of stopping now, because if I did... it would be over.
A small opening, just a second... that was all I needed.
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