Vanished Sisters The Lycan King's Slave Island novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Natasha’s POV

Garrick’s ruined face was inches from mine. His breath reeked of rot and meat. “You’re new.”

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I kept my eyes on his chest–not submissive enough to stare at the ground not bold enough to meet his gaze. “Yes, sir. I’m Nathan, sir. Here to

work.”

“Nathan.” He drew out the name, his nose practically pressed against my neck now, inhaling deeply. “Scrawny little thing, aren’t you? Skinny

neck. Looks like it’d snap with one twist.”

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I forced my voice to stay low and rough. “I work hard, sir. I pull my weight.”

“Hmmm. His clawed fingers traced down from my shoulder to my collarbone, catching on the neckline of my tunic. “You smell… strange. Not

like the other pigs in here.”

Terror shot through me. Could he smell it? Despite Lucy’s horse salve, despite the coal dust, despite three days of grime–could he smell the lingering traces of that night? The Feral Heat?

“It’s medicine, sir.” The lie came quickly, born of desperation. “One of the maids–gave me horse salve for a skin condition. That’s the smell.”

Garrick’s yellow eyes narrowed. Then he laughed–a sound like grinding gravel. “Skin condition? I don’t care about that.” His other hand grabbed my chin, forcing my head up so I had to meet his gaze. “You know what I like about you, Nathan?”

I couldn’t answer. My throat had closed completely.

“You’re pretty.” His grin revealed teeth filed to points. “Not like these ugly brutes. You’ve got a soft face. Delicate bones.” His thumb brushed over my lower lip. “I bet you’d make such sweet sounds if someone hurt you just right.”

The world tilted. I’d thought–I’d been so sure–that pretending to be a boy would protect me. That they only wanted girls for… for what they

did to Davelina.

But Garrick’s eyes held the same hunger I’d seen in the Lycans who’d dragged my sister away.

“I’m… I’m just here to work, sir.” My voice came out broken, barely audible over the roar of the furnaces.

“Oh, you’ll work.” Garrick’s hand slid down to my waist, fingers finding the rope belt. But first, let’s check this ‘skin condition of yours. Make sure you’re not hiding anything under all these clothes.”

His claws hooked into the belt. Started to pull.

No. No. NO.

If he pulled off my tunic, he’d see the binding cloth. If he saw that, I was dead. Or worse.

My hand closed around the shovel handle at my feet. Could I-

GARRICK!

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20:39 Thu, Feb 12 0 3 c.

Chapter 18

The shout cator from the accoway. Both of us rose

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Lary stood there, clutching a basket of empty bottles, her face flushed and panicked. Carrick, sirl I we been looking everywhere for your

Carrick scared, whirling on here. Get lost, gid Cart you see I’m busy?

It’s Land Fergus, sier Lary’s woes pitched highs, more desperate. The hot water for the upper halls–the pipes arest heating fast enought He’s furious! Says of the water is it ready for his bath within the trove, he throw the perseer responsible into the furnace

I saw the calculation flach across Carrick’s face. His lost warring with his survival instinct

Those lazy bastards should we hated more coal-

They did, sit, but it’s not enough Lucy stumbled forward, deliberately clumsy, neatly dropping her basket. The steward sent me to find you specifically, Sand Nathan here works fastest with the heavy coal, and you need to reassign him to the main boiler immediately or

She didn’t finish the sentence. Didn’t need to.

Carrick’s grip on me loosened. He showed me backward hard enough that crashed into the coal pile, sharp edges digging into my back.

The He sat on the floor next to me. Get moving, boy. Main boller. If those fires go down even one degree, I’ll use you for kindling”

I scrambled to my feet, grabbing my shovel with shaking hands.

And you- Carrick jacted a daw at Lacy. Tell the steward I’m coming to check the boiler operations myself. And next time, don’t interrupt me unless the whole damn forcess is on fire.”

He stormed off, his bunched form disappearing through a different archway

Lucy gracked my wrist and pulled me in the opposite direction, away from the main furnace area. We ducked into a side passage stacked with coal bags, the shadows thick enough to hide us.

For several seconds, neither of us could speak. We just stood there, breathing hard

I told you, Lucy finally whispered, and there were tears on her cheeks old you theres no safe place. It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a gor a dog, If they want you, they’ll take you.”

My legs gave out I slid down against the coal bags, the shovel clattering ide me. “I thought I thought if they believed I was male

“You thought they only wanted women for raper Lary’s laugh was bitter and broken. They want whoever they can hurt. Whatever they can book, Cender doesn’t matter to monsters.”

I couldn’t stop shaking. Couldnt process what had almost happened. Garris’s hands on me. His breath on my neck. The way he d locked at me

Thank you.” The words came out cracked. Lary, you saved-”

1 didn’t save you.” She crouched down, gripping my shoulders. I delayed. That’s all anyone can do here. Delay the inevitable.” Her fingernails dug in hard enough to hurt through my tác. “You need to be more careful. Rub yourself with ashes every morning. Keep your head

III

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20:39 Thu, Feb 12 D3 G.

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