chapter twenty-seven

[ IN WHICH SHE IS A TORTURED AND SAVED ]

I have felt the heat of the scorching sun.

Been bruised by the steam from a kettle.

Accidentally burnt myself while playing with the flames from a candle.

I have felt heat so intense that I have gone unconscious; however, none of those incidents from my childhood are equivalent to the pain I feel right at this moment.

Luca shows no mercy as he holds the hot rod to my skin.

I jerk my head back, trying my hardest to get away from the burning item. My mouth is open wide as screams of terror escape. “Please!” I scream, begging Luca to stop. “Please, stop.” Tears fall down my face.

… [i always wondered why i never cried as a child. and now, i know. it was because i had left pain so maddening in my past life, so nothing on earth could measure up to the pain i would go through in Alkhemi] …

The rod burns through the fabric of my clothes, burning into my belly. I let out a scream as the room becomes hot, like a sizzling summer. The sound of my s