Chapter 3
He turned to me, his eyes full of disgust. "You still have the strength to run your mouth.
"Looks like your punishment isn't enough."
I stared at Arthur, "Are you blind? Can't you see she's acting?"
Arthur sneered, "Annabelle is pure and kind. She wouldn't even step on an ant.
"How could she possibly be acting?
"You're the one who's been jealous of her since childhood, always trying to hurt her.
"And now you're trying to come between us."
He walked to the wall and pulled an iron lever.
The silver chains attached to my wrists tightened instantly.
I was yanked up, my toes barely touching the ground.
The skin around my wrists split open, and blood ran down the chains.
"Does it hurt?" Arthur came up to me and gripped my chin.
He added, "You owe Annabelle this.
"Admit you were wrong and hand over your wolf core, and I'll spare your life."
My eyes flew wide open, "You want my wolf core?"
The wolf core was the source of a werewolf's power.
Without it, I would become powerless and might not survive a month.
Annabelle leaned against Arthur's shoulder and spoke in a sickly sweet voice, "Arthur, when I was kidnapped, my body was badly damaged.
"The doctor said only a transplant using the wolf core of a close blood relative can fully heal me.
"My sister loves me so much. She'll agree, won't she?"
I stared daggers at Annabelle, "In your dreams."
Arthur backhanded me across the face, "You don't get a choice.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll bring the doctor myself to remove it."
With his arm around Annabelle, he turned and left the dungeon.
The iron door slammed shut.
I hung in midair as my blood dripped into the puddle below, drop by drop.
Suddenly, a man in a black robe stepped out of the shadows in the corner of the dungeon.
The man in black lifted his hood.
It was the gang's private doctor, Dr. Vance.
He carried a silver metal case.
He said, "I'm sorry, miss.
"Arthur can't wait until morning.
"Miss Annabelle coughed up blood. Her condition is critical."
Suspended in midair, I let out a cold laugh, "Coughed up blood?
"More like she bit her own tongue."
Dr. Vance ignored my sarcasm.
He opened the case and took out a row of syringes filled with green liquid.
He explained, "This is a muscle relaxant and a nerve paralytic.
"To preserve the integrity of the wolf core, we can't use anesthesia during extraction."
He approached me with a syringe, "It will hurt.
"But you'd better endure it.
"If you struggle and damage the wolf core, Arthur will cut you to pieces."
I struggled with all my strength, and the silver chains rattled loudly. "Get away from me. This is murder!"
Without mercy, Dr. Vance drove the needle into my neck.
Cold liquid entered my veins.
My body quickly stopped obeying me, my muscles going weak and useless.
I could not even move a finger.
The dungeon door opened again.
Arthur walked in carrying Annabelle.
Annabelle's face was pale as she leaned weakly in Arthur's arms.
But when she looked at me, excitement flashed in her eyes.
Arthur asked, "Is everything ready, Doctor?"
Arthur set Annabelle down on a chair nearby.
Dr. Vance nodded, "The drugs have taken effect.
"We can begin at any time."
Arthur came up to me and drew a pure silver dagger from his waist, "Don't blame me for being cruel.
"Blame yourself for having a wolf core you were never worthy of."
He raised the dagger and aimed it at my chest.
"Wait!" I forced the word out with everything I had.
I added, "Arthur, do you really think a wolf core transplant will save her?
"Wolf core rejection will kill her even more horribly."
Arthur's hand paused.
Annabelle immediately clutched her chest and began coughing violently, "Arthur, it hurts so much...
"Am I going to die?"
Arthur panicked at once, "Don't be scared. I'll save you right now."