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  Trigger Warning:

  This book features depictions of human trafficking, dubious consent, and graphic descriptions of sex that may be disturbing to some readers. Proceed with caution and take care of yourself.

  Scorch

  The Order Series Book 4

  Nikki Rae

  “Once upon a time there was a child who was willful and did not do what his mother wanted.

  For this reason, God was displeased with him and caused him to become ill,

  and no doctor could help him, and in a short time he lay on his deathbed.

  He was lowered into a grave and covered with earth,

  but his little arm suddenly came forth and reached up,

  and it didn't help when they put it back in and put fresh earth over it,

  for the little arm always came out again.

  So the mother herself had to go to the grave

  and beat the little arm with a switch,

  and as soon as she had done that, it withdrew,

  and the child finally came to rest beneath the earth.”

  —The Willful Child, Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm

  ONE

  When one lived amongst thorns, words meant little. Our mouths were often pinched shut regardless, so when we were given the opportunity—the privilege—to speak, it hurt too much. With every chipped and tattered piece of me, I loved the man who Owned my freedom. I could say it a thousand times and never believe it; what we shared defied words. Equally, Marius and I loved each other; it was wholly different, yet one was never diminished by the other. They provided me with a future, a present.

  I could turn back at any time. It wasn’t too late.

  Running sent a stronger message than staying: I don’t trust you and now you won’t trust me. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Master Lyon would be livid once he discovered I was gone. No telling how he would react when he learned the reason.

  Love, whatever the word meant, was buried in another layer of dirt with each step I took towards the road. But if what we felt for one another meant anything, it would come back when it was ready. Once the ground thawed and the sun shone longer.

  The fires House Wolf was spreading were far beyond the three of us. Nothing survived them, and I knew this better than anyone else. It was the image of that apartment building that I kept in my mind, the news of the critically injured. Dead.

  As promised, there had been clothing for me under the sofa in the living room. I silently dropped to my knees, fingers grazing over jeans, then a sweatshirt. I practically had to lie on my stomach to reach them, and I withdrew my arm and pulled them on in record time. My boots were right where Master Lyon had left them on the bench by the door. My socks protected my feet until I was farther away from the cabin; I didn’t want the sound of gravel to make my steps too loud. Once I had reached the tree line, I hid myself behind a large trunk to slide on the boots, finding Marius’ sunglasses in one and a ring of keys in the other.

  I followed the path I had committed to memory until the stacks of logs I recognized came into view. I paused when I opened the door, surprised at how silently it swung on its hinges. For the first time in my life since I ran from the Wolves as a child, I was traveling alone. I would be alone for the foreseeable future, until I met up with Odette.

  Most terrifying to me was not being caught in the Wolf’s teeth, but forgetting who I was. If given the chance, Gregor would break me down into the dog his elder had desired. I wasn’t naïve enough to think he wouldn’t be on guard when we showed up at his door. Gregor might have been dumb and reactionary, but he wasn’t the type to take defeat and humiliation well. He would want his revenge—what was owed to him.

  Thinking that far ahead right now was out of the question. It would only slow me down, and that was something I could not afford. The Wolf would get his, and if I didn’t disappear completely, I would get mine.

  Selecting the smaller key from the ring, I climbed into the intimidating contraption of the ATV and strapped myself in the way Marius had shown me. Key in the ignition, I guessed which pedal to press and it started. Driving a vehicle couldn’t be more complicated than riding a horse, and once I’d ascertained which was the gas and which was the brake, I eased my way into driving down the hill.

  I was careful, tense in my seat as the vehicle shook on the unstable terrain. Traversing the landscape made me dizzy, but I kept my eyes forward, watching for the moment the trees cleared again and I could see the main road. As soon as it was in sight, I threw the ATV into park and extracted the keys, undoing the belts. I couldn’t remember taking a full breath since I’d left the cabin, and hands gripping the wheel, I let myself have one now.

  Cool air filled my lungs as I spotted the car parked not five feet from the foot of the hill. California plates. I was back where I had started in many ways, but this was my choice. That was what made all the difference.

  I was stronger this time. Even if I didn’t feel that way at the present moment. House Chimera had taught me what love could be, and I could use all that I’d learned when—if—things got dark.

  Lifting myself out of the exposed frame, a less intense version of the altitude sickness I’d experienced resurfaced, making me wobbly. If I was sitting down—preferably behind the wheel of the car and on my way to get this over with—it didn’t feel as bad. If I was distracted enough, I almost didn’t notice at all.

  I scanned the trees for any sign of security guards, but the only one I spotted was further up the hill, facing away from me and fiddling with their radio. Still, I watched him as I made my way to the car, concealing myself whenever the guard glanced in my direction.

  At the driver’s side door, I caught my breath, leaning against the cold surface. It was damp with morning dew, and it sank into my sweatshirt, reaching the tank top underneath. The sky had lightened a fraction; there wasn’t time to take in the outside world, but I lingered just a second before unlocking the car.

  Whether it was because I hadn’t had a restful sleep or the prickling fear of the future, the door was a lot heavier than I remembered. It took a lot of effort to swing open, and when it finally did, I nearly fell over.

  Boots partly untied, tucked into the sweats he’d slept in, Master Lyon sat bare chested behind the wheel.

  It was stupid—unthinkably stupid—but I was overcome with the impulse to run. I wouldn’t get away of course. I wouldn’t be able to talk around him, make him see things as they really were.

  He’d won. It was over.

  My Owner turned so he fully faced me, arms resting on his thighs. His hair was loose and wavy around his shoulders, the light embedded in the car’s ceiling illuminating his dark irises. Master Lyon’s expression didn’t change as he held out his hand, gesturing for the keys dangling from my fingers. I approached him as one would a lion about to pounce, placing the ring in the center of his palm before backing away.

  Master Lyon stepped down from the SUV and shut the door, passing me without comment. He was so certain I would follow him back to the ATV, to the cabin where I was more or less useless. My gaze flitted to the security guard at the other end of the road, w
ho exchanged a nod with my Owner.

  He’d spotted me, but even so, Master Lyon wouldn’t have been able to reach me in such a short amount of time. Had Marius set me up? Was I that predictable?

  I kept my distance behind him, not wanting the added embarrassment of getting beaten in the open. My Owner headed directly toward the ATV, slinking into the low seat and adjusting the belts around him. He was confident I would do the same and I did, having no other option. We didn’t speak; he started the engine, jaw clenched in an unforgiving line.

  With each second spent traveling back to the cabin, my heart plummeted. He had not said a word for a reason, and pleading with him was pointless. He wanted me to ponder his next move, to worry about the consequences. No matter what he had in store for me, it wasn’t anything compared to the disappointment I felt within myself.

  I couldn’t escape this man. Not for me and not for anyone else. That stung, and tears rolled down my cheek quicker than I could catch them. Soon, the cabin was visible again, and Marius—fully dressed—stood on the porch waiting for us.

  My first instinct was to blame my failure on him, but the crease between his eyes told me perhaps he hadn’t wanted me to get caught either. I needed to wait until I knew more.

  Master Lyon parked directly out front, and I hated how I almost thanked him for not making me walk. He cut the engine and undid his safety belts, so I did as well, fingers trembling as much as my knees. I followed my Owner up the wooden steps to meet Marius, but I wouldn’t chance looking him in the eye.

  Master Lyon waited for me at the open door, holding it for me. “Go wash your face and meet me upstairs.”

  His voice was even, dismissive in its tone. I was torn between lashing out, telling him how ridiculous he was being and that it wouldn’t help anyone. Ultimately, it would get me nowhere. Right now, the best thing for me to do was obey; there wasn’t any other choice. My Owner would only hear me like this.

  Taking the emotion out of his Ownership made things easier. I only needed to listen to him until he would listen to me.

  “Marius,” he turned to him as I slipped past, into the cabin, “a word?”

  The door shut behind me; this was not a conversation meant for my ears.

  As I made my way to the bathroom, I noticed the door to Odette’s room was open. There wasn’t a question in my mind that he knew of her disappearance; she was just better at deceiving her husband than I was.

  My feet carried me into the doorway. The bunk beds were made, but the dresser had been ransacked as if someone had been searching for something, unable to see straight. It smelled faintly of vanilla and it brought new frustrated tears to my eyes. She’d been so kind to me. Patient. Loving, even if she was afraid I would reject her. I hadn’t known Odette long, but it was my responsibility to join her and bring her back safe.

  And I’d failed her.

  In the bathroom, I flicked on the light and ran the water in the sink. My face had become speckled with dirt, and I rinsed it away, drying off robotically as I avoided my own eyes in the mirror. I jumped when I heard the door open and then a second later, the sound of the ATV’s engine as someone drove it back to its original spot.

  I prayed Marius was the one who’d come inside, but I wasn’t that lucky.

  When I reemerged, Master Lyon was taking off his boots, feet bare underneath. Without looking at me, he unlaced his other shoe. “Do I need to repeat my directions, Doe?”

  I swallowed hard, his frigid exterior somehow worse than if he was screaming.

  “N-no, sir,” I mumbled under my breath, stumbling toward the stairs before I’d fully finished.

  My legs were heavy as I made my way up the narrow staircase, but I managed to lift them and make it to the attic room. Arms around my middle, I wasn’t sure what I should do while I waited for my Owner to appear.

  I stepped carefully over our discarded clothing, flashes of what was to be our last night together flooding my mind as I stared out the window. The faintest hint of light threatened to push over the horizon. The sun would rise, and Odette would be gone. Even if I got away at this very second, I wouldn’t make the plane.

  Below, security guards milled about where they hadn’t been before. I could no longer be trusted—that much was obvious.

  “I saw you from that window.”

  I spun around to see Master Lyon standing at the top of the stairs, a glass of water in his hand. Coming forward, he gave it to me and I gulped it down, more dehydrated than I thought.

  Finished, I returned it to him and he set it on the shelf. With a glance in my direction, he bent to the mattress and picked up one of the fluffier pillows. He took measured steps to the center of the room and tossed it on the floor.

  “Take off your clothes, ma petit.”

  I stared back at him, struggling to keep my fear hidden.

  “Doe,” he said, firmer, but not yet impatient. He Owned me. He had all the time in the world. “Remove your clothing. You don’t need it right now.”

  Fighting the urge to simply leave the room, I asked, “What if I want to keep it on?”

  I bit my tongue, simultaneously satisfied with the small rebellion and scared of its result.

  The corner of his mouth perked upwards a second before his eyes met mine. “You’ve disobeyed me as well as Marius. Do you think a girl who can’t listen deserves the dignity of clothing?”

  His bored tone hurt, but that was exactly why he’d used it. Elliot couldn’t see me right now, only the crime I’d committed against him.

  “No, sir,” I finally answered, untying my shoes, pulling off my socks. Then I unbuttoned the pants, sliding them down my legs and onto the floor.

  In a few quick strides, Master Lyon was in front of me, squeezing my face with a single hand. “Stop that,” he ordered in a low voice. “I decide your pain. Do you understand?”

  I sucked back the rest of the tears welling in my eyes, unaware until now that I’d been crying. He’d only enjoy this more if I did. I nodded until he let me go, wiping my cheeks with the sleeve of the sweatshirt before shrugging it over my head.

  The top was next, and I shook as he watched it leave my skin. The black sports bra and underwear were the same I’d worn the previous night—the ones he and Marius had taken off.

  Master Lyon crossed his arms over his chest. “Leave the underclothes.”

  I froze at the direction; it was small, but he’d seen how uneasy I was and back tracked with the order he’d just given. Some part of him felt pity for me.

  Knowing I would be scolded for it, I resisted the urge to cover myself. I looked at my Owner the way he expected whenever I spoke to him. “M-may I ask…?”

  Too unsteady, I couldn’t finish.

  “I’m not going to hurt you, Doe.” He stepped over to where he’d left the pillow. “Come here.”

  Question answered. Another good sign; he didn’t make me say it aloud. He was being merciful.

  I’d just begun to shuffle towards him when I heard the front door slam. Unprepared for the abrupt sound, I jolted. The footsteps that followed rooted me to the spot.

  “Would you like to keep your underwear?” He sounded mildly annoyed. “I thought I was being rather generous.”

  Cold, I could see my hardened nipples through the black cotton. It didn’t offer much by way of modesty, but it was better than being completely bare. To him, if I didn’t obey and he took the clothes, I would be rejecting his kindness. He would be less likely to extend the same favor again.

  I came closer, the pillow between our feet. Cocking his head to the side, he stepped around me. “Kneel.”

  His voice was gentle, phrased as a question. A test.

  For whatever reason, I needed to be his strong, resilient Doe. He’d given me softness when the hardwood could have caused me pain, suggesting he really didn’t want to hurt me.

  I wasn’t about to give him a reason to do so; kneeling, I did my best to perfect the posture.

  Master Lyon crouched behind me a
nd I kept my eyes trained on the floor. Marius’ footsteps echoed off the stairs as he came up, entering the room. When he came to stand in front of me, I trembled. I wasn’t afraid of him, but I still wasn’t certain he hadn’t been involved in my capture.

  I stiffened when I felt my Owner’s fingers in my hair, working the tie free so my wild curls tumbled down my back. As if to provoke me, he used it to secure his own hair into a neat knot.

  I wouldn’t fold so easily. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him near Marius.

  “Now then,” Master Lyon’s soft voice seemed to fill the room, “without the addition of this…mistake,” he settled on, “how many orders has Doe disobeyed while under your care?”

  He addressed Marius, who was quiet a moment. Mistakenly, I thought this was hesitation.

  “I’ve counted four, Elliot.”

  I couldn’t blame him for answering a direct question—not when the Master of the House was demanding them. That didn’t mean it didn’t enrage me. My Owner had put him in this position just as he’d made me kneel in the center of the room. He believed he had this power over us, and when we proved him wrong, he needed to make it true again.

  “Add that amount of weight, then.” Master Lyon’s footsteps made the wood creak as he came back to where I was. “Sit up straight.” The command was soft, but blunt. A belt across the skin.

  I hadn’t realized how my shoulders had slumped and I worked to correct it.

  “Stare ahead.” Still an order, but gentler as he crouched beside me.

  Fixing my posture was one thing, but watching whatever Marius was doing was entirely another. Weight. That was what my Owner had said.

  At the Compound, I could recall our lessons on the Salem Witch Trials—how the punishments and modes of torture were emphasized. I wasn’t able to sleep on those nights, too young to understand that it didn’t matter whether the victims were witches or not, each drowned the same or suffocated under the weight of stones.

  I’d anticipated the contact, but instead of wrenching my head upwards, Master Lyon’s touch was gentle. Exhaling, he sat down, legs on either side of me. His sweatpants rode up to his calf and I took in the black ink there, the suggestion of scars beneath.