Page 73 of Draven

Memories of all the cruel pranks, the bullying, and the endless taunts flooded my mind. I couldn't let him get away this time.

I pushed myself harder, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I closed the distance between us.

"Stop running, damn it!" I yelled.

Justin glanced back, his face pale with fear. He stumbled, giving me the chance to close the gap.

I reached out and grabbed his arm, yanking him to a stop.

"What the hell is your problem?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Justin's eyes were wide, and he stammered, "I-I was just messing around. It's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal?" I repeated, incredulous. "You’ve been tormenting me for years! Do you have any idea what it’s like to live with constant harassment?"

He tried to pull away, but I tightened my grip.

"You're not getting away this time. You need to hear this,” I said.

Justin looked genuinely scared, and for a moment, I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

"You don't know what it's like to be on the receiving end of your crap. But I'm done being your punching bag. This stops now,” I said.

He nodded frantically, his bravado crumbling. "Okay, okay! I'm sorry!" Justin blurted.

I let go of his arm, my hands shaking.

"If I ever catch you messing with me or my stuff again, you'll regret it. And not just because of me. Draven won’t be as forgiving,” I reminded him.

Justin nodded again, swallowing hard. "I get it. I won't bother you anymore."

"Good," I said, turning away and walking back toward my car.

The anger still simmered, but it was mixed with a strange sense of relief. I had stood up for myself, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

The feeling of being watched returned, and I frowned, turning just in time to see Justin swinging a crowbar at my face, a vicious leer twisting his features.

"I'm not sorry at all," he hissed under his breath.

The crowbar collided with my skull with a sickening thud. Pain exploded through my head, and I grew dizzy.

The world spun, colors blurring together as my vision darkened. I stumbled backward, my knees buckling under me.

The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was a black rune glowing on the side of Justin's neck, a miniature of the rune that was fading on Draven's chest.

The realization hit me like a final blow: Justin was being controlled by Belladonna.

Darkness swallowed me, pulling me into oblivion.

CHAPTER TWENTY

DRAVEN

One moment,I was loading boxes into the car. The next, intense pain exploded in my head.

It felt like someone had bashed my skull with a hammer. I groaned, dropping the box, and staggered, the world spinning around me.

Dizziness overwhelmed me, a suffocating sensation like I was drowning. It was similar to the time Belladonna had hit me with that curse, the one that bound me to her will.