Chapter 6
Rhea pov
I groaned, pain unlike anything I had ever experienced shooting through my body, worse than the binding with my wolf, worse than when I broke my legs jumping from an oak tree, worse than when the vampire king drank from me. I tried to open my eyes, my head seeming to be slumped to one side, I was weak, it was a though the life had been taken from my body and replaced with the strength of a mortal human. After several more tries, I opened my eyes, realising that I was in a seated position, my neck flopping to the side, I wondered briefly if I was dead. But logic took over, I wouldn’t be whimpering in agony if I had died. I tried to move my arms only to be met with a steering pain, a soft scream slipping from my clenched jaw as the smell of burning flesh assaulted my senses.
I looked up with great effort, my arms locked into metal cuffs that were connected to a large chain that hung above me, my skin around and under the cuff was scorned and red, blood dripping down my arm and to the floor. I looked around in mute panic, realising that I was in a cell with a heavy metal door, I was sat on the floor with my arms and waist chained to the wall in nothing but the summer dress I had been wearing when he took me. I sobbed silently, trying to limit my movements as I realised the chains were laced with wolfsbane, one of the only things that was deadly to my kind.
Was I in the vampire kings castle? How long have I been here? Where is Alora?!
Panic and fear was all that I knew as time past in that damp and cold cell, wishing that I was anywhere else, I couldn’t contact my wolf, the wolfsbane preventing me from regaining my strength and escaping. I was so afraid and cold, doing my best not to shiver as it only increased the pain, I tried falling to sleep with no success, who could sleep when they were bleeding profusely, and every movement or breath caused great pain and uncomfortableness.
My breath caught in my throat as I heard footsteps approaching, unable to stop the pained whimpers and cries that escaped me whilst I trembled in horror, has the king come to finish me off? Would he condemn me to this place until I died from pain and blood loss?
Hundreds of possibilities swam through my mind as I heard the click of the lock, squeezing my eyes shut as I waited for more pain, pleading with the moon goddess for my suffering to end. I recoiled when icy fingers touched my cheek, screaming out when the wolfsbane tore into my flesh, tears sliding down my cheeks. Cautiously I opened my eyes when I heard the crunch of leather boots, panic consuming me when I came face to face with the crimson eyes of my captor, praying that my death was swift.
The Vampire sighed heavily, his voice void of all emotion. “You look terrible Rhea, it pains me to treat you this way.”
I listened to his words mutely, knowing that they weren’t sincere, that he would do whatever was necessary to gain my obedience, vampires were not known for their kindness and compassion, only for their violence and merciless torture of my kind. I didn’t want anything to do with this creature, I wanted to go home to the brothers I never got to say goodbye to, my little sister who’s smile could light up an entire pack. I didn’t belong with a vampire, I belonged with my own kind. I was supposed to be given to an Alpha that would be kind, that would care for me and love me. Not this monster who tilted its head as though it could hear my internal battle.
“Two days you have been down here, and yet you never called out for help or mercy, why is that?” Gabriel asked as he watched me, genuine curiosity present in his tone.
I remained silent, not knowing how to respond of even if I could; my body trembling from lack of sleep and starvation, the pain ensuring that I was subdued and docile. He more than likely knew my body was at breaking point, my chapped lips and pale skin would be a direct giveaway. But, did I want this pain to end only to be forced into his grasp for the rest of my life? Bound to him and forced to bare his mutant children. I didn’t want that. I wanted nothing to do with the deadly creature who was waiting silently for an answer.
He shook his head, a smirk playing in the corners of his mouth. “Stubborn even now, I have known Alpha’s twice and three times your size beg and plead after this long. Yet here you are, scowling at me.” He chuckled softly. “I know you wish me dead, that much is clear. But if I die another will rise to take my place and you will be passed to him.”
My scowl dropped into a deep frown, I would be passed around to another of their kind if Gabriel died? How was that fair! I didn’t want to be with any of them! I wanted to go home. What could I even do to escape? I knew that as soon as I attempted anything he would lock me up and throw away the key, they were known for brutality, not forgiveness, betray a vampire and you would never know an end to suffering.
A growl escaped his clenched jaw, seemingly growing tired of my ignorance and blatant defiance. He leaned close to my face as he spoke, his voice the furthest thing from calm I had ever known. “You can remain mute and angry if you wish, but let me warn you little wolf, I have an abundance of time, I will keep you here until you obey me.” He ran a hand through his hair, “I will send someone to feed you and give you water, better eat it as you’ll be here for another two days, maybe longer should I see it necessary.”
My eyes widened in fear as I turned my head to the side, remaining mute despite the whimpers of pain that escaped my weakened body. I didn’t know if I would survive another two days in his hell hole, but I couldn’t show this creature weakness, I couldn’t show him how afraid I was. I wouldn’t.
He made a sound of frustration before rising back to his feet, his tone cold and agitated. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you little wolf.”
I jumped when the cell door slammed shut, finally letting the sobs and tears of horror and pain shudder through me, my entire body sagging forward. Had I made a terrible mistake? Should I have conceded and listened to him? Obeyed like a good lap dog?
I realised when the cell door slammed open that I must have fallen asleep or passed out from the pain at some point, a slightly smaller immortal stepping into the small space I had been confined to, a small bowl of porridge in one hand and a glass of water in the other. I avoided his midnight black eyes as I shook violently, unable to contain my cries of agony as every move forced the wolfsbane further into my skin. The vampire looked younger than Gabriel, he had tanned skin and emerald green eyes, his button up shirt a pale blue instead of black.
He slowly approached me, his fact blank of all emotion as he knelt in front of me, my eyes wide and fearful, is he here to hurt me? Had Gabriel ordered him to kill me, poison the food I’d be forced to eat?