My gaze snaps to the scene around us, and my stomach churns. The people who had attacked me, who nearly sold me like cattle, are sprawled across the ground–bruised and bloodied. The witch—the one who tricked me, who betrayed me–lays trembling, her pitiful moans filling the air.
I turn back to the warrior, eyes wide. “You did this?”
He doesn’t confirm or deny it, and his silence only fuels my suspicion.
“But… you—“I shake my head, struggling to reconcile the sight before me. He doesn’t look like someone who could hurt a fly. And yet, these people were nearly beaten to death.
“What are you doing here?” I demand. “How did you find me?”
“I was just passing by,” he says smoothly, like we’re discussing the weather. “Saw you by coincidence.”
I narrow my eyes. “Bullshit. I don’t believe in coincidences.” My chest rises and falls sharply. “Did Jack send you to watch me?”
Silence.
I scoff, muttering under my breath, “I should’ve known. He’s not the type to let me go so easily.”
1 glare at the warrior, but before I can grill him further, a pitiful whimper from the ground snags my attention.
The witch.
And just like that, my anger reignites, flaring like a flame doused in gasoline.
I whirl on her, stomping over before grabbing a fistful of her greasy hair and yanking her up despite her pained cries. She screeches, but I don’t care.
“You messed with the wrong bitch,” I snarl, baring my teeth.
She squirms, her hands clawing at mine. “P please,” she stammers. “I didn’t mean to-”
“Oh, shut the hell up.” My grip tightens, my nails digging into her scalp. “How dare you lie to my face? How dare you use my family to lure me in?” My chest burns with fury. “You were going to sell me!”
Tears spill down her wrinkled cheeks. “I needed money to survive! You don’t understand-”
I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Oh, I understand perfectly.” I shove her to the air. “You prey on desperate people. People like me.”
ground, watching with satisfaction as she scrambles backward, gasping for
She shakes her head frantically. “Young children were brought to the witch huts years ago. I knew they came from rich families. I was only trying to earn a living after being banished from my coven.”
I scoff, disgust curling my lip. “You know what? I thefavor.”
I turn back to the warrior, my voice dripping

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Submission is Not My Style