Saying it out loud was harder than she’d expected, and humiliation burned her cheeks. What she’d been made to do in her captivity… it would haunt her for the rest of her life. Which might not be all that long, judging from the hard looks on these females.

Selma steeled herself, pushing through. “I made him think I wanted him. He said he’d spare me from… from the Lords if I…”

“The Lords?” Blondie cut her off, eyes widening, then narrowing to slits.

Selma nodded. “Y-Yes.”

“She’s Blessed,” Red spat. “Let’s just gut her and move on. Too much trouble.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Cold Eyes snarled. “She’s a fucking Pure Breeder! Do you know what a Lord will do to get his hands on one of these? We play our cards right, the one ruling this territory might even give up Minnesota without a fight.”

“Might being the operative word,” Red said, edging closer. “It’s too risky.”

“I’ll help you!” Selma gasped, pressing up harder against the box. “Please, I promise!”

“You think we’ll be rewarded for handing a Lord an incubator?” Blondie asked, eyebrows raised as she looked at Cold Eyes.

“I think taking this territory is our first priority. It’ll be years before any offspring he sires with this pathetic human is strong enough to fight—and at that point, it’s going to be too late anyway.”

Cold Eyes returned her focus to Selma, a nasty smile pulling up the corner of her lips. “But first… first we need to ensure she’s in suitable condition. What do you say, little Breeder? Think a few cuts on that smooth skin of yours will make the Lord more amenable to our negotiations?”

3

Selma

Selma screamed. Each time that wicked knife sliced through her flesh, claws raked her skin, and fists pummeled her gut, she howled in agony, pleas for mercy bubbling past her lips. She tried to curl in on herself, to protect her vitals, but the two demonesses not wielding the knife held her firmly between them, leaving her body open and vulnerable to the abuse.

They offered no mercy, each second only bringing her more pain. She lost track of time, lost track of everything but the searing agony and cackles of her captors, their amusement at her wails ringing through the warehouse—though to her, they sounded like they were filtered through water. The only clear sound was her own frantic heartbeat.

Until an explosion shook the building.

The three demons froze, turning toward the entrance as one. Selma too lifted her head, following their startled gazes.

He was here—the demon from the bar. His dark eyes were wide and terrifying, his human features pulling into a mask of fury as he took in the scene, breathing heavily.