Tasting Darkness

Read Taming Darkness By Jessica Hall Book 3 Chapter 22 – Aleera

I was shoved into the facility and stumbled forward a few steps. I used the slack to yank out of their clutches. I couldn’t stand the sensation of their hands touching me. Weren’t the cuffs enough? I couldn’t use my magic yet, nor could I call for help.

One of the men grabbed my shoulder in a vice grip, his hold tightening around my upper arms. Did they fear me because of the damage I had done to their fellow minions in the battle? It was smart, but they acted as if I would break free with the little strength left in me.

I wouldn’t have fought back even if I did have some way of doing so. Not when I desperately wanted to know what that vile woman had planned. She’d disclosed just a few tidbits so far, nothing that would give me a means of shutting her and her power hunters down for good. I needed more evidence, and I needed to see it with my own eyes.

Besides, right now she was exactly where I wanted her, with all the false bravado to match. I wouldn’t risk breaking my cover or spilling any of my own secrets. I needed her to think I was broken, that she was the one in control, that she had triumphed over her weak malleable daughter. She had to believe that she could take me off the board at any moment, if she wanted to bother herself to, that was.

The grip on me didn’t loosen in the slightest, if anything, their fingers dug deeper, like they wanted to cause me pain. They dragged me after her as she strode ahead of us, leading the way with her head held high, as if she was true royalty. She believed herself to be a Queen, but I understood she was nothing by a tyrant.

head right off her neck. No, that wouldn’t be enough torture for this bitch. I wanted her to truly suffer with every breath that left her body. I didn’t want her to have a quick, merciful death. She was no mother, no Queen, nothing but a vile, rotten creature. Her only goal

of my memories? Would she actually stoop low enough to try

faded from me as we got to our destination. My steps stumbled, and my insides froze up. I never thought I would see this place again, and all those warnings that had been pressed upon me in childhood came roaring back. The one reminder that I

basement. Don’t even touch the door. It was pounded into me from the moment I could crawl. It was where my father spent most of his time, and it was strictly off-limits. I didn’t have many rules growing

my hesitation because she giggled and a cruel sparkle glittered

did you want to hear something funny?” she

hands wouldn’t allow me to move. I bit my lip to stay silent. My skin would be mottled with bruises from their disgusting hands, but despite the pain, I didn’t want

I sneered beneath my

she tilted her head as she gestured her free hand to the door. I hated this place and I hated her. I did my best to not let my breathing change, I refused to give her any satisfaction from