Chapter 72

• It felt as if my heart had shattered into pieces. I looked at Maria, who stepped back but held her ground, as if waiting for something. I searched her eyes, but she avoided my gaze, turning away like my stare would burn her. How I wished it would. She deserved to suffer for her betrayal. The friend I’d trusted had sold me out.
• My claws extended instinctively, a poor defense against the ten men encircling me. They hadn’t shifted, but several of them brandished black steel swords, glinting with poisonous intent. Though their sharp blades aimed at me, I felt no fear. I wasn’t about to go down without a fight.
• “Come on, sweetheart,” one of them sneered. “We’d rather not cut you, but we won’t hesitate if you keep resisting.”