Suddenly, a loud âBang!â The clang resonated as a tray hurtled across the room.
âAh!â Katie paused briefly, before clutching her head and letting out a sharp scream, Blood cascaded down the right side of her face Like a torrent, relentless and unending.
She hadnât seen Mitchel obtain the tray or how he managed to strike her with it.
Were his hands not bound? How was this possible?
Terror filled Katieâs eyes as she watched Mitchel stand up and approach her.
When had he freed himself from his restraints? Now was not the time to dwell on these questions.
Mitchel was more menacing than any of Maxwellâs men, as if he were capable of tearing her apart on the spot.
âHelp me!â Katie screamed in desperation for Maxwellâs men, but the guard who had been watching them had momentarily stepped out.
Another had urgently excused himself to the bathroom after ensuring both were securely tied.
Thus, no matter how loudly she screamed, there was no one to hear her.
âHelp me! Helpâ¦â Before she could finish her plea, excruciating pain erupted through her body.
Mitchel stepped on her uninjured hand and twisted it with brutal force.
âOuch!â Tears flowed down Katieâs cheeks as she cried out, âMitchel⦠Mitchel⦠You dare, you dare⦠Wait until Lorenzo hears of this, he will skin you aliveâ¦â
The pain nearly drove Katie to madness.
She grasped that if Mitchel were to escape, Lorenzo would undoubtedly pursue him.
âGive me your medicine,â Mitchel demanded coldly, with a broken table leg as a makeshift crutch.
âWhat⦠What medicine?â Katie stammered, bewildered.
âWhat do you think?â Mitchelâs face was drawn, a portrait of impatience.
âI donât know what youâre talking about.
â Katie feigned ignorance with a shake of her head.
âI was lying.
There is no medicine.
â
Mitchelâs lips barely twitched as he shifted his weight onto his toes, pressing down harder.
âAh! Ah!â Katieâs scream of agony reverberated through the room.
âNow, do you have it?â Mitchel demanded, his voice sharp.
Wincing with pain, Katie reluctantly retrieved a small glass vial and tossed it onto the floor.
Within it, two blue pills were sealed with wax, unmistakably marked by the witch of Aurora.
This unique seal, derived from a specific herb, was both indestructible and inimitable.
Katie collapsed, her face pale from the intense pain.
âAre you really going to take it? Do you understand what this medicine will do to you?â she gasped.
âI know,â Mitchel responded softly, his cold demeanor softening momentarily.
âWhether I become a walking corpse, a waste, a paralytic, or something less than human, as long as I have another moment with Raegan, I am willing to endure it.
â
The knowledge that Raegan was carrying his children again and had chosen to stay had shifted Mitchelâs priorities dramatically.
For the first time, his will to live ignited fiercely.
He yearned to be present when she delivered.
His absence when Janey was brought to this world was a regret that gnawed at him relentlessly.
This time, he was determined to persevere until the childrenâs arrival, to witness his childrenâs first breathsâ¦
Mitchel pocketed the glass vial just as noises erupted from the doorway.
âHelpâ¦â Katieâs attempt to scream was cut short as Mitchel stuffed a gag into her mouth.
âMmmphâ¦â
The guard who had left for the bathroom re-entered, immediately struck by the chaotic scene.
âWhere is the man?â he barked, noticing Katieâs bloodied appearance.