章 16: Chapter 16

　　Astrid

　　‘Astrid, you need to eat,’ James says. I keep my eyes on the stone floor, completely ignoring him. I’m about to spend my second night in the cell; I refuse any food; I don’t even acknowledge his presence when he comes down to the cell.

　　He punches the cell door, angrily. I flinch in fright, and my eyes well up.

　　‘Damn it, Astrid! Why can't you just be a good little mate and do what you’re told?’ He yells.

　　Hearing the sound of keys, the cell door unlocks and noisily creaks open. James picks me up and sits down on the bench holding me tightly on his lap. I try to fight him off; I manage to scratch his cheek. He slaps me hard across the face, and wraps his arms tightly around me so I can't move. His nose nuzzles my hair, and sniffs the back of my neck.

　　‘Astrid, I could make you so happy if you let me,’ he says.