obsession chapter 5

The scattered vials on the floor made her dizzy. Had he truly consumed all of those? The mind-control potion, fine, but the truth serum? Why? Blanche’s fan snapped against her cheek, interrupting her thoughts. 

“Are you deaf?!” 

Slap! 

“I asked why the potion isn’t working!” 

Slap! 

“Didn’t I tell you I’d send you to Matthias if you disobeyed?!” 

Slap! 

Her memory was impeccable, wasn’t it? Shariette pointed at her throat, a wordless plea. You told me not to speak. 

“Oh, right. The mute little idiot, I forgot.” Blanche’s smile returned, saccharine sweet, as she stroked Shariette’s hair. 

“Good girl, Sasha. Make a stronger potion.” 

Shariette glanced at the bound Noxian. He looked less like a fiancé and more like a caged beast. Sweat beaded on his jaw, his breath ragged. He was fighting the drugs, enduring the humiliation, his jaw clenched so tight it trembled. Conscious, yet unable to speak or move of his own volition. 

The mind-control wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to keep him captive. The sheer volume of potions administered today, combined with the steady dosage over the past month… No. More potions, and he might die. Or suffer irreparable brain damage. Shariette swallowed, her diagnosis complete. 

“Why the delay, Sasha, you little rat? Hmm? Can you do it?” Blanche’s grip tightened on her jaw. Shariette took a slow, steadying breath. This was different from smuggling out discarded test subjects. If Blanche discovered she’d tampered with her belongings again, the punishment would be far worse than a mere reprimand. But he can’t die. With a composed expression, she nodded. 

“How long?” The clock ticked loudly in Shariette’s mind. The time needed to steal ingredients, brew the antidote, and allow it to take effect. The time it would take to convince this dangerous man, who looked ready to snap her neck the moment he regained his senses. Factor in securing an escape route and rendezvousing with Rubelot… She held up four fingers. Blanche released her face with a shove. 

“Don’t be ridiculous. Two months. Before I cut off those useless hands!” That was enough time. Shariette folded the two extra fingers she’d added for safety. The reaction was as expected. Miscalculated? Might be tight. She was in the private chamber, allowed entry under the pretense of customizing the Noxian’s medication. The same chamber where Blanche kept him prisoner. 

Shariette stumbled back, pushing away the Noxian, who had lunged at her for the third time. She’d untied one of his hands to lower his guard, but this was chaos. Crash! The difference in strength and size would have made this impossible were he at full capacity, but now, she could easily hold him back. 

[An.ti.dote.] 

She scrambled to her feet, showing the vial to the fallen man, mouthing the word repeatedly. He was docile until she produced the vial; then, he attacked like a cornered animal. Had she untied both hands, she’d be dead by now. The man’s face was pale, slick with sweat, but his eyes burned with an intense fire. Understandable, given his drugged state.