Release In The Dark (DARK erotic romance series) by Natalie Kristen Read Free Book Online Page A

left in my lungs. I
begin to sink a little and I place the flat of my palms against the
curved glass surface of the column, pushing against the seal until my
arms ache, desperately trying to find a way out.
    I press my face against the
curved glass wall, and glimpse a hazy sea of faces staring up at me.
To them, I must look like an underwater exhibit thrashing around in a
cylindrical, glass enclosure.
    My lungs are burning and I can
feel my eyes and nose smarting. My whole head feels like it is about
to explode. My hands are trembling violently against the glass. I
hammer the glass with my fists, resisting the urge to scream.
Screaming would be useless and stupid. No one can hear me. And
water would flood my lungs the moment I open my mouth.
    I place my hands flat against
the glass and take in the watery scene before me with a surreal sense
of detachment. I see the round, brightly lit stage, the shielded
booths with their velvet couches and cushions for the audience, the
upturned faces of the girls, the black military uniform of the
Warden, the red lanterns hanging from the ceiling. What will this
place look like at night, when the whole hall if filled with leering,
lustful customers? With all the lanterns lit, and this rippling
column glowing like a lava lamp with a naked girl undulating within
its watery depths, I imagine the effect would be hypnotic, perhaps
even erotic, in a sick, morbid way.
    I blink repeatedly as my vision
wavers. I don't think I can't hold on for much longer. My mind is
fading, losing control over my body. Any instant now, instinct would
take over. Against my will, my body would forcibly try to draw
breath to survive. And water would gush into my mouth and nose, and
I would drown, slowly, horribly.
    Black spots flash before my
eyes, looming larger and darker. Soon everything would be black. I
have to fight, fight my own body, fight the instinct to breathe.
    I can't feel or think at all.
Death seems so close. My nails slide down the curved glass wall, and
my eyes close but still I lock my jaws, clenching my mouth shut,
refusing to draw the breath I so desperately need.
    I won't give up.
    I won't breathe.
    I have to hold on.
    I...can't...hold...on...
    My fists unfurl and my eyes fly
wide open as every muscle, every nerve, every cell in my body screams
for air. I have to fight my own body, fight my body's instinct to
breathe.
    I remember my training with
Irin, in the underground cell. During the sessions when she held my
head underwater, I had held on for far longer than I had thought
possible—by not thinking about my present situation. I had
thought about the times that I had been truly happy, about the people
who had loved me and cherished me. I recalled my happy memories with
my mother, and I thought about Jaxon.
    Jaxon.
    The watery blur before my eyes
shimmers and I see myself with Jaxon. My first time with him. With
a man.
    I feel my body heat up despite
the chilly water all around me. Jaxon had been a wonderful lover,
tender and gentle and loving. I had felt pleasure, immense, intense,
unbelievable pleasure, but I had also felt loved. I am glad that he
was the one I gave my virginity to. He is the man I want. The one I
love.
    But will I ever see him again?
    I start to tremble, shattering
the vision before my eyes. My lungs are about to explode, my entire
body straining for air. Black spots loom in front of me, crowding
into my fading vision.
    I don't want to, but I have
to—breathe.
    The blackness presses against my
eyelids, pulsing blood red as fragments of thoughts stab through my
mind.
    Drowning.....
    Dying......
    Can't...
    Fight!
    The command to fight, to live,
overrides my instinct and my panic. That powerful, fierce voice in
my head sounds so much like Jaxon's voice. I cling on to this
lifeline, this sudden infusion of resolve and strength, and force my
eyes open.
    But I can see nothing. Nothing
but deepening, shifting shades of gray.
    My body can hold out no longer.
My mind struggles