𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞
"What's wrong?" Konstantin laughed, the sound jagged and ugly. "Where's that smart mouth now? Come on, tell me about my dick! Say it!"
I tried to move, tried to anticipate the next strike, but my body was screaming. My mind began to fragment under the relentless barrage of pain and terror.
Kaia, please—
You're not listening! she snapped back. You're just reacting!
Konstantin wound up for another throw, putting his entire weight into the motion. I could see the way he planted his feet and how his shoulder coiled back like a spring. This one wasn't meant to bruise; it was meant to break bone.
Time seemed to liquefy, slowing to a crawl. The ball left his hand like a missile, aimed straight for my shattered ribs. I couldn't move, and I couldn't breathe. I could only watch it approach and know that this was a hit I wouldn't recover from.
Then, a hand shot out and caught it.
