Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

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Chapter 193

Xena's POV

I tried pushing the chair across the floor, but the back legs caught in a drain. If I tried again, I'd probably fall over. I attempted to reach anyone through the mind link, but no response came. I called or Una, but she was gone too.

Whatever drug they'd given me definitely contained wolfsbane. My heart seized with agony, like thousands of tiny knives stabbing inside me. Damn, whoever invented or discovered that poison deserved a special place in hell. My limbs no longer felt like my own; every tiny movement was like trying to move a mountain. Eventually, exhaustion won, and I blacked out again.

The sound of the metal door jerked me from sleep. The hardest thing I've ever done was lifting my head at that moment. The pure burning pain that came from lifting my head from a completely reclined position was excruciating. My neck muscles screamed in protest, the agony traveling down my spine like someone had lit my nerves on fire. I wanted to scream, but my throat was too dry to even force out a groan.

I managed to crack my eyes open as a little girl walked in, followed by a warrior- looking guy with a gun.

"I-I brought you food, and I'll let you use the bathroom. If you run, he'll shoot you and me," she said, trembling as she approached.

She looked about twelve, but her body-at least what I could see of it was covered

in bruises. She wore what looked like a burlap sack for clothing.

There was fear in her eyes, but also numbness, that hollow look only people who've seen too much suffering have.

When she unlocked the chains holding me, I didn't respond. As soon as my arms and ankles were free, I crashed to the floor.

"Oh, shit..." I groaned.

this way,"

fell to my knees. My arms couldn't support me, and I faceplanted

the dusty earth mixed with blood in my mouth. Humiliation and helplessness spread through me like poison. I'd been weakened to the point where I couldn't even

wasn't until the girl came back to help me

no door, but at this

toilet looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years, with cobwebs spanning across it and rat droppings

The relief felt so good,

up!" the guard shouted

fear, almost

twisted inside me,

I continued. However, when I was pulling up my shorts, he walked

done," I

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Chapter 193

slapped me hard, my

But when I looked up and saw his fist flying toward my face,

I heard someone say as my senses

several mumbles, but I could only focus on the pain in my head.

exist behind thick glass, sounds muffled, light each piece reflecting a

My thoughts were like a shattered

hand on

up." Alpha Wiley's voice

surprised me. I was back in the chair. How they'd managed that, I didn't know, but the girl had