Quick breaths. Chest rising and falling while only meager driftwood of hope sailed across the ocean of fear capsizing my being.
It was laughable that this was always what I resorted to. Always and only what I was capable of. But taking advantage of my significance to these men was all I could do to ensure Ember's safety as well as my own. He was tense beside me—his irritation a noose circling my neck.
And I almost smiled at how he could feel anything besides paralyzing fear for our lives.
The leader gave a dark, gritty chuckle, quirking an incredulous brow. "You would rather take your own life than be delivered to someone who finds value in you? There is no promise they'll kill you. If you come willingly, you have a decent chance of living."
