章節 46: Carmen
His big body, tanned and scarred, hung before me. I could see his wrists were rubbed raw from the chains. They didn't bother me physically. The fact that I was too weak to break mine was a constant torment. All my years of dancing did nothing to truly strengthen me. It did build my confidence and determination. Nevertheless, they broke me the first month I was brought here.
Since I'd been kidnapped, I learned there were monsters that lived among us. Kidnapped is a relative term. I'd actually been found wandering after a fire burned my entire town. Could I actually call it a town? More like a village.
Eyes opened and my breath caught in my throat. Purple eyes? I'd never seen anything so enchanting before! They fluttered closed again and I could breath.
He was weak. It'd been only a day since he was brought here. He must've been under their control before his arrival. I washed his exposed wounds and cuts. He wasn't healing; he must be a human too.
"Carmen, are you finished?" Snapped a particularly violent vampire.
"A-a- almost." I stuttered.
"Good." She snapped, fangs protruding slightly. "You're needed in the kitchen."
"Y-yes your grace." It'd taken years of therapy to get rid of my stutter - the moment I was brought here it came back in full force.
"Humans are the worst. You literally have one job. Blood bank." She snarled then left abruptly.
I sighed and turned to leave the man hanging from his limbs. When I looked back I felt something drawing me to him. I peaked into the hallway before returning to him.
"We will get out of here. I promise." I whisper, then turn and make my way to the kitchen.
"It's about damn time. Boil some water and start with the potatoes." I grab a pot. "Wash your hands first! Filthy human."
Her voice light and humorous, she often jokes with me about being a human. I take no offense and hurry to the sink. I scrub my hands and arms to my elbows.
"That'll do. Hurry up!"
Once I had the potatoes chopped and boiling, I set out to cut the fruits then vegetables.
"You're fast for a human." Someone says from the shadows.
Out emerges a man, tall and muscular. Werewolf. I think instantly. Telling them apart is easy, if you know what to look for.
"Leave the help alone." Says Olga, she's a witch and the lead cook.
He ignored her, "You're what 5 feet flat?"
"I'm 5 foot 2 for your information." I snap not looking away from the sliced peaches.
"You probably weigh a buck ten... soaking wet."
I blush at how his words twist at the end of his sentence. They make a dirty implication and I'm not in the mood to be bothered.
"Give or take. Slaves don't get scales." I snap.
My hair sticks to my scalp from the heat of the kitchen. I reminisce about my long curly hair that was singed in the fire. The witches cut all my hair off with sheers. One took pity on me and magically dyed it a pale blonde. I think they have a soft spot for me.
"I like 'em feisty." He smiles but it doesn't meet his eyes.
"Get out of my kitchen before I turn you into something disgusting."
Olga must really be tired. She usually elaborates on how graphic her punishment could be. She rarely leaves her thinly veiled threats to the imagination.
"I'll see you around, human."
I ignore him as he saunters out the door.
"I'm sorry Olga." I mutter, finishing the last carrot for the stew.
"It's not your fault you're beautiful. Ignore Hunter. He's a ladies man."
"I gathered." I smiled and wiped my hands on a clean cloth. "What else can I help with?"
"Pull the bread out of the oven, it should be ready." She continued bustling around the kitchen.
"Olga, please take a break. Everything is almost finished." I say while removing the bread pan.
"I'll rest when I'm dead." Her long white hair hung in a single braid down her back. "Besides, you're the one that needs rest. Your feet are bleeding again."
I don't glance down, I know. The shoes are two sizes too small. They have cut the blisters in my heels.
"Sit." She orders and I do.
She takes the shoes from my feet and puts them into a bowl. In plops some other ingredients. I don't watch too thoroughly, I'm cleaning up my cuts with a paper towel.
"Here." She hands me my shoes.
I put them on and they fit. Not only that, but my feet don't hurt.
"Thank you!" I smile at her and she waves me away.
"I can't leave my best help with issues. Especially when I require you to be on your feet for hours."
I nod in understanding but see a ghost of a smile cross her face.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Our final challenge is upon us. A mere few hours divide the time between the present and what is to come.
Rex versus Indicum.
*Although the odds are in your favor. This could also be my premonition coming to life.*
*I know.* For someone so young, she is wise.
*Think this could be related to Ignis?*
*How did you...never mind! I don't know, but I'm going to find out.*
*You are our Alpha. Be smart. Don't play into their hand. You'll be overly emotional with all the hormones.*
*Someone's taken family life.* Praesul says only to me.
*Thanks Niveus. I got this.*
*If my vision does come to pass, you can still change it. Good luck.*
I cut our link for communication. Staring at myself in the mirror, I notice my reflection. I don't remember the last time I've just sat and stared. My long hair pulled back in a braid down to my backside. Green eyes stare searching for a sign that I'm different. I'm not.
The sheers glisten when I open the bathroom drawer. I pretend I'm Mulan and cut my braided hair just below my collar bone. The long tendrils fall carelessly to the floor. It's messy, and my hair is disheveled, but the waves don't look too uneven. I hop into the shower and let the water scorch my skin.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I've seen the man in the room a half dozen times, but this time is different. I can feel his eyes on me as I feed him. He's curious and kind.
When our eyes meet, I get lost in their beautiful purple depths. After rubbing his back, I can feel him tense.
"Why are you here?" He asks and my first reaction is to snap back.
"Why are you?"
We sit in silence. He tries to grin but it looks more like a grimace. They've really done a number on him.
"I really don't know why I'm here." He says honestly. I think he has a semblance of an idea, but he doesn't elaborate.
"I'm here because I'm the last." I sigh. "The last of my village. The last of my name."
"What do you mean?"
"It burned to the ground. I suspect they did it." I choose my words wisely before continuing. "I don't know how or why I survived. They found me wandering, burnt head to toe. Yet, I wasn't really harmed. Dehydrated mostly. I don't know why they kept me. As a pet I suppose."
A small growl came from him. I gasped.
"Don't you ever say you're a pet. No one owns you." He stopped as though he wanted to say more. "We will get out of here. I promise."
I blush thinking of when I said similar words to him. Was he conscious? The familiar pull of connection, comfort, and compassion fills me again. I smile at his words.
"Wait, did you just growl?"
"Sorry... sometimes we can't control ourselves."
"We?"
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" My head snaps around to see Hunter lounging in the doorway. His arms crossed against his chest.
I turn back to Ignis, his eyes are now a different color. One I can't quite make out.
"Oh, I see what's going on here." He points back and forth between the two of us. "Someone has a crush."
I bow my head to hide the heat rising to my face.
"Submissive? I like that." His hand touches my head and I flinch away.
"Don't touch her." A loud growl comes from Ignis.
Was I wrong about him? Could he be...nah, why would they hold one of their own kind hostage?
"It's my lucky day!" Hunter practically shouts. "This must be your mate."
On the word mate, he grabs my by the hair lifting me up. My head is pulled back so I'm looking up into his face.
"You are quite attractive." Hunter smiles, his fangs protruding slightly. "You don't mind if I taste her first do you?"
A loud roar reverberates off the walls and I'm dropped back to the floor. I hit my head lightly and the room blurs. My eyes try to stay open but they shut unwillingly. It's as though a blanket of darkness has been draped over them. The last thing I remember is his smell; somewhat woodsy with a hint of sage.
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