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.

way," she said,

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

my nostrils, and I could taste the dusty earth mixed with blood in my mouth. Humiliation and helplessness spread through me like poison.

managed to get my feet under me, but it wasn't until

bathroom had no door, but at this point, I

toilet looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years, with

I finally relieved myself. The relief felt so good, but my legs protested the whole

shouted

in fear, almost stopping,

interrupted. Anger and fear twisted inside me, but

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

I snapped

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Chapter 193

slapped me hard, my head

was difficult not to pass out. But when I looked up and saw

happened to her?" I heard someone say as my senses began

focus on the pain in my head. The voices sounded so

thick glass, sounds muffled, light each piece

My thoughts were like

on my

Alpha Wiley's voice brought

was back in the chair. How they'd managed that, I didn't know, but the girl had a fresh bruise on her jaw and was trembling in