CYRENIA
A slap on my cheek startled me awake, but my vision was blurry. I tried to move my hands, but they were tied together and hooked to a chain above my head. My feet were also tied together, restricting most of my movement. A hand hit my cheek again, and this time I tasted blood.
“I said wake up.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and then blinked several times in an attempt to focus my vision. Faira’s dark hair came into focus. She chewed on her fingernails as she watched me. In her other hand, she held a simple kitchen knife.
I kept my body still, afraid any movement would spook her into attacking me while I was in a vulnerable state. “Faira, what’s going on? Why am I tied up?”
“I didn’t want to do this, but I don’t have a choice. I have to kill you.” Faira’s hands shook as she stood in
