Raya banks

I waited for the King again this night, rocking back and forth on the narrow bunk bed and wrapping the thick cotton duvet tighter around my body as Mary’s stern voice echoed in my ear.

She apologized after threatening me earlier, but somehow, I was finding it hard to accept her apology or believe that she was “just kidding,” about telling Nikolai everything.

I pressed my hands to my chest, scrunching my nose at the faint scent of mildew and feeling the thumping of my heart when I heard the cell door creak loudly as it swung open. 

“Saints,” I gasped, slamming to sit up like some deranged...