Twelve
Drowning. The tightness of my throat, my exploding lungs. The stabbing pain, the hammering dulling my senses.
Just the sight of Leo transported me to that one memory I feared so much. The moment I learned that my brothers hated me and broke my heart. The disdain in their eyes, the poison in their voices, the disgust in their words.
The silence of the stream, the coldness of my limbs, the way the water shut my throat. It was almost as if it was happening to me right now.
No, wait. It was happening right now.
I clawed at the strong arm clamping my throat shut. The more I struggled, the more I realised I was trapped against a strong chest.
“Drop your weapons or I’ll kill the girl.” Leo’s words rasped past my cheek, his voice cold and calculated.
“Please, stop,” I whimpered. I dr
