**Gaia's POV**

Jules's hand reached for me, his fingers closing around my wrist. I jerked back instinctively, trying to wrench free, but the poison made my movements weak. Sluggish.

"Don't touch me!" I spat, putting every ounce of strength I had left into the words.

He laughed. "Still got some fight? Good. I like it when they struggle."

One of his companions moved to grab my other arm. His touch made my skin crawl, made the heat of ...