Sold For Eternity

Chapter 16

When I opened my eyes, it was morning. We reached the house late the night before, and I was so tired and in too much pain to notice much. Jackson had given me a drink, and I’m sure it was drugged because that is the last I remember. As the light from a window somewhere in the room pierced through my eyelids, the events of the night before and the pain hit all at once. I tried not to move as each tiny movement sent sharp stabs of pain radiating through my entire body. After several minutes of inner debate, I decided to open my eyes to survey the room I was in.

Only one eye opened, the other was swollen shut. I was in the master bedroom. No doubt about it. I quickly scanned the bed with my one good eye. Jackson slept here too. The space beside me in the bed was disheveled. The room was gorgeous but masculine. He must be rich. By the size of just this room, the house must be massive. That is why he had people working here. In fact, as I became more awake and attentive, I could hear movement going on throughout the house.

I had to set up despite the pain. I needed to learn as much as I could about this place and the people here today. It took a magnificent feat of pure stubborn willpower to raise myself to a sitting position. It took a minute to steady myself as it felt like the room was spinning. My hair was still matted with blood and, from what I could tell my face was a mess. There was a cut and the whole side was really swollen.

Looking in a mirror was not on my to-do list today. In fact, I’m not sure if I should leave this room today. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this. As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I remembered my choices are not my own anymore. I would have to do exactly as Jackson said or this would happen again. I knew that velvet voice hid something darker right from the start. That was a lesson to learn to trust my instincts.