Unloved Unwanted Unstoppable (Seraphina and Dominic) novel Chapter 212

She dashed to the corner, grabbed the fire starter, and picked up a discarded metal rod. Wrapping a scrap of cloth around one end, she sparked the flame.

The moment the fire flared to life, the swarm of snakes froze.

Seraphina stood in the center of the room, holding the makeshift torch high. The fiery glow illuminated her tense features.

She kept the reptiles a few feet at bay. They hissed and watched her with predatory intent, but temporarily hesitated to advance.

But the torch wouldn't burn forever.

Holding the flame out, she sidled toward the door and threw her weight against the metal.

She slammed into it repeatedly until her shoulder went numb, but the door remained impenetrable.

While she was distracted, the snakes slithered a few inches closer.

A black serpent suddenly launched itself at her. She twisted away, sweeping the torch in an arc. The flames singed the creature, sending it writhing back.

Panting heavily, she retreated a few steps, accidentally kicking over one of the oil drums.

The cap hadn't been screwed on tight, and a pool of thick fluid spilled across the concrete floor.

The snakes began to move again.

Gripping the torch, she had nowhere left to run.

The flame licked the edge of the puddle. A streak of fire chased the trail of oil straight to the overturned drum with a deafening boom.

The explosion ripped through the room.

Seraphina instinctively crouched, shielding her head and face with her arms.

A wave of blistering heat rolled over her back, scorching her skin.

Terrified by the blast, the snakes scattered in a frenzy.

A few slithered frantically past her legs, leaving a fleeting, icy sensation.

She had no time to dodge. The torch slipped from her grasp, and the temperature in the room skyrocketed.

Thick smoke flooded her lungs, sending her into a violent coughing fit.

Flames were already devouring the wooden shelves in the corner, crackling fiercely.

She scrambled toward the door, screaming through the smoke, "Is anyone there? Open the door!"

Her voice was swallowed by the roar of the fire.

She screamed a few more times, but only silence answered her.

The inferno grew wilder. Just as she felt she couldn't hold on any longer, footsteps thundered outside.

What was she expecting?

How could she have ever counted on him?

The beam pinned her down; she couldn't move an inch.

She rested her cheek against the gritty concrete, her eyelids growing heavier by the second.

Exhaustion dragged her down. It was so hard to breathe. She just wanted to sleep.

As her consciousness slipped away, she faintly heard another voice calling out to her.

"Seraphina. Seraphina..."

The voice was urgent, yet deeply familiar.

Who was it?

A moment later, the crushing weight on her back vanished.

Before she could process it, strong arms gathered her off the floor.

Seraphina forced her eyes open a sliver and caught a glimpse of a sharp, handsome jawline.

Gideon glanced down at her. "Stay awake, Seraphina. I'm getting you to the hospital."