Chapter 168 Chapter 168

Chapter 168 Chapter 168
Neither of them listened. The first man stepped across the threshold, into the cell, reaching for me.
“Easy now. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
“I said don’t touch me!” I slapped his hand away, hard, my heart hammering so fast I could barely breathe.
For a heartbeat, no one moved. He stood there, hand hanging in mid-air, staring at me. Then he sighed, a long, weary sound.
“I was hoping this wouldn’t become difficult.”
“It already is.” I braced myself, fists clenched, ready to fight however I could.
His expression hardened. “Have it your way then.”
Before I could react, he lunged.
I twisted, throwing myself sideways, dodging his grasp by inches. I bolted for the open doorway, for the corridor, for freedom—it was only three steps away. I could almost taste the air, almost feel the open sky—
But I was pulled back by the chains around my arms and cursed when I fell just a few inches short of the open door. But it didn't stop there, because a hand slammed into my hair.
Pain ripped through my scalp, blinding and hot. I screamed, a raw, tearing sound, as he jerked me violently backward.

"Resisting is only going to make things worse for you, Crystal." The first man who held my hair said as the other went to undo the chains but never took off the shackles that held my feet together.
His hands seized my arms before I could scramble away.

"No! Stop it! Aah! ASHER!"

I yelled his name foolishly. What could he do for me right now? He was probably lost too. Still, a part of me wanted to believe that he could somehow hear me.

At least, that's what I told myself.

“Feisty.” He laughed, the sound rough and satisfied. “No wonder you have such a high price on your head.”
I drove my elbow backward with every ounce of strength I possessed. It connected solidly with something soft. He grunted, his grip loosening just enough.
I twisted free as I scrambled up, chest heaving, and ran. One step. Two—
,
But another fist slammed into my stomach.
All the air exploded from me. I folded in on myself, choking, gasping, unable to draw breath. My knees gave out and I crumpled to the floor, curling around the pain, fighting to breathe.
Strong hands seized both my wrists once more and yanked them roughly upward. Cold metal closed around them with a...

Click.
I stared, eyes wide, as iron manacles locked into place around my wrists.
Before I could twist away, another length of chain snapped shut, binding my wrists together.
“…No.” I pulled, straining against the metal. It didn’t budge even a fraction.
“There.” The second man stood, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Much better.”
I scrambled backward on my heels, dragging the chain, staring up at them. “Let me go. You have no right. Are you even human—”
“Rights?” The first man laughed, stepping closer. “You belong to Barron. You don’t get rights.”
They finally took off their hoods, and I gasped.

"And yes. We're humans. As I said, it's nothing personal. It's just business."

Betrayed by my own kind?

After all this time, after running and hiding and fighting… I wasn't sold out by beats, but members of my own kind?

Tears pricked my eyes, hot and stinging, and I blinked them back furiously. I wouldn’t cry. Not in front of them.

“Come on.” The first man grabbed the end of my chain, yanking hard.
I stumbled forward, scraping my knees against the rough stone. “I said let me go!”
“Move.” He pulled again, harder this time, and I lost my balance completely. I fell forward, catching myself on my hands; the chain bit deep into my wrists.
“Please…” The word slipped out, small and broken despite myself. “Please, just tell me, why do all this? I'm human too.”

The second man paused, glancing at me. “We told you, it's just Business.”
Just business?
The words cut deeper than anyblade.

Guilt and fear warred within me, tearing me apart. Maybe I should have just let Asher sleep on the couch…
“Get up.” The man jerked the chain again, dragging me to my feet. “We’re leaving.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!” I dug my heels in, bracing myself.
He sighed, and before I could react, he backhanded me hard across the face. My head snapped to the side, stars bursting across my vision, and I nearly fell.
“Enough.” His voice was cold, final. “You come willingly, or we drag you. Your choice.”
My cheek burned, throbbing in time with the pain in my head. I stood there, trembling, bound and helpless, and let him pull me forward. There was nothing else I could do.
But as he led me down the dark corridor, chain clinking softly between us, one thought burned brighter than the fear, the pain, and the certainty that Barron waited somewhere ahead.
Asher.
Wherever you are. Whatever has happened to you.
Please be safe.
Please find me.
I need you.