Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 51

Valeri

Chained and Vulnerable.

At the mercy of my enemies as they have their way with me.

My stomach revolts at their clammy touch.

My body shivers at the invasion of their body against mine.

I am worthless. I am a dirty, dirty whore at the whims of men yet again. When will I learn? Have I learned from the past? Clearly not.

I guess sacrifices must be made for the greater good. That is what an Alpha is supposed to do, right?

I’ve made many of those sacrifices for the greater good of the pack. Even for those who sought shelter on my island. I wouldn’t change it for anything in this world though. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret my decision… at all. There’s just this… simmering hate rooting deep within my soul.

It grows every time a new face appears above me. I don’t give them the satisfaction of crying or wincing in pain. For every slap of skin against skin, I grow detached. Every time I want to turn away, they grip my face, forcing me to inhale their rank breath of death, and see their unfiltered lust and hate in their eyes. For every clawed hand that’s touched my skin, every choked gasp they force me to swallow, I become numb to all emotions. A deep seated anger builds within, rivaling a raging dragon.

I asked for this though. I can only be angry with myself. But I keep thinking… What if I didn’t? Could I have found a different solution? There is no solution when negotiating with the devil.

I couldn’t tell you how long I suffered. There are no windows to show my beautiful moon, my only solace. I tune into the whispers of the guards and whipmasters bouncing against the walls while they wait their turn.

“Preparations are about finished…”

“The sacrifice has been bathed in the purified waters of Sereia…”

“A few allies have shown up and are anxious to take part in the “Dark World”...”

I shit you not.

While everyone else gets their rocks off, the guard that agreed to this arrangement stands off to the side, but he doesn’t partake in what is offered. Not that I’m complaining, the less the merrier. An unfamiliar sensation settles in the pit of my stomach.

Fear.

I’m not talking about normal fear. You know, the stage fright fear, the fear of a man taking advantage of a woman or a child.

No.

This fear felt like darkness engulfing all hope of freedom by sweet death. It by far supersedes Broderick’s sick form of torture.

He dips in and out of my line of sight. I hear the scrapes and dings of metal at my left side and my heart skips a few beats. It begins to thunder in tempo with the current guard’s thrusts. I gag as his sweat drips down on my face. As he grunts his release, the menacing guard in the background speaks.

“Alright, alright. You bastards have had your fun, it’s my turn now.”

The guard above me slaps my thigh like a showcasing pony. “For a new guy, you sure do fling out orders like you’re in command around here.”

The creeper tilts his head and gives this eerie stretched out smile that sends chills down my spine. “You just make sure you hold up your end of the bargain and not fuck around with the other hybrids, got it?”

When he takes a step forward, the others take two steps back. He emits this predatory energy that instantly makes you prey. His large build alone deters them from opposition. The tone of his voice commands them to bend at his will. The guards scatter like rats fleeing a crime scene.

“The name’s Sirus. Unfortunately, you won’t be pleased to meet my acquaintance.”

Words dissolve along my tongue when he comes near to unfasten the chains. I hate the feeling of helplessness that wells up inside. I’ve been strong for so long that to feel this way is a sign of weakness. Sirus sees it. His dark orbs gleam with excitement, inhaling my fear scent as if it’s his personal high.

After unchaining me, he scoops me up bridal style. We leave the room and enter a stained white brick room with a water hose attached to a wall on the right side. Sirus drops me unceremoniously to the ground.

“I can’t work with your skin tainted with werewolf spunk. Be a dear and strip the remainder of your clothes.”

Pain spasms from my lower regions to my legs from being in one position for Goddess knows however long. My bones creak and pop as I gather my feet from under me and strip down to my birthday suit. Sirus holds the large water hose with ease. Cold water shoots out and hits me square in the chest. I gasp at the sudden shock of it all. The sting lowers to a numbing sensation as the water travels down to my feet.

“What’s this, I wonder?” He gathers my necklace, but drops it quickly without so much as a wince. “Eh, it won’t help you today, little rabbit.” Little rabbit?

“Little rabbit, little rabbit would you like to play a game?”

I wordlessly shake my head no.

“You don’t have a choice. Or do you not remember the agreement?” he tilts his head. “Or shall I get little Nova to take your place, hmm?”

“I-I’ll do it!”

“Good little rabbit.” he rumbles, caressing my cheek. I jerk out of his searing touch. “I’ll give you a three minute head start. Run along now.”

Heart racing, I dash -albeit weakly- out the door and down the dark hallway. The crack of bones bounce off the walls and a heavy growl hits my ears. And then silence. There seemed to be no exit when I weave in and out of hallways, so I quickly hide in one of the cells.

I steady my heart rate and hear quiet claws click down the many halls. Chuffing and growling come close to my cell until it pauses at my door. My heart stutters for the longest, until the dark shadow passes the door. When I feel the coast is clear, I scramble to my feet and run out of the cell. The hall is colder than before and shadows leap out. My breaths shorten while I stumble, trying to replace a way out of here. No matter how many ways I turn, I replace more and more hallways filled with cells.

Where the fuck is the door?! I want to scream.

My head spins and vision blurs. I bark out a delirious laugh when a dark set of eyes appear, followed by shining white teeth. That image distorts until a form takes place. Its bulky frame oddly holds a graceful, feline figure. The big black cat is covered in shadows. I gulp when it crouches low.

Shit, shit, shit. I don’t want to become kitty chow!

I begin to take off, but feel a leaden weight on my back. I fall down hard. The big bastard throttles my body around before biting down on my left leg. A small scream of pain leaves my lips before I feebly kick his head, all the while scraping my nails as he drags me down the hall. All too soon, he takes me to the familiar room, flinging my body against a wall. I cup my head and groan, taking note of my injuries.

Bones crack yet again and Sirus laughs. “You lasted longer than I expected, little rabbit. Now the real fun begins.”

I’m so exhausted. My strength has reached full capacity. First, I’m forced to go to a fucking school. For justifiable murder, might I add. Fate decides to deal another hand of shitty mates -except for dear Daxter, Eros is still debatable. And then my former mate decides to torture me to submission and then slavery. And now I’m playing Captain-save-the-world losing a battle against a fucking psychopath.

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Sirus hauls my small frame to the metal table with ease. He locks my arms and legs in place, pulling a serrated dagger from a holster. It trails along my skin.

“I can see the question in those big orbs. ’Why me? ‘What have I done to receive such fate?’ My response?” The knife stops at my left breast and it digs into my skin. “Nothing, little rabbit. You are simply a misfortune prey sold out by a loveless fool.”

I knit my brows in confusion. “What does that mean?”

“It means that your boyfriend wanted you gone.” The knife slices my skin like paper, leaving a scorching cut. “I would have gotten to you before the Winter Solstice, but those stupid Hunters got there sooner.” Sirus’ blade travels to my other breast, cutting into it. “He wanted it quick and painless. When the time came to form the blood oath, he forgot to add that little tadbit. It looks like you’re all mine to do as I please.”

There was nothing to say. I would say King Broderick sicced this psycho on me, but he didn’t mind dirtying his hands. At least he’s thorough.

Alaric.. Not so much. He’s squeamish when it comes to blood. He’s suspect number one.

My third former mate… my heart wilts. He was my first. My closest confidant. Surely he wouldn’t…but then again, he did partake in that fucking ritual.

Kamau.. Despite hating my guts, he walks the line of justice.

Eros and Daxter. I couldn’t fathom it, but look where my trust went the first time around?

Cassius… it had to be him.

“How much did he pay you to get rid of me?” I snarl.

“He actually called in a favor owed to his father.” Sirus says, tapping the knife to his chin thoughtfully. “But enough talk. My hands are itching to delve under your skin.” Literally.

“Little rabbit, little rabbit let’s play another game.”

Sirus touches my arms in a way a lover might. “Your skin is such a lovely shade. It would compliment the blood in your veins, yeah?”

I shudder at what he’s about to do.

“Did you know that Otherworldly beings have different shades of blood?” He trails the serrated blade along my arm now. “Werewolves have a beautiful shade of garnet, while vampires shed a pretty merlot.” The blade bites into my upper arm. “I’d have to say that the elves and the fae have the most favorable color: the color of spring apples.”

It is easy to ignore the pain of each cut assaulting me while Sirus’ hypnotic voice continues. “For years, I’ve hunted humans and Otherworldly alike,” he sighs dramatically. “but the high isn’t the same anymore.”

The maniac samples my blood and hums in delight. Sirus draws a line down my arms, legs, and torso with my blood while whispering an incantation.

My head feels heavy, and my blood stops flowing. Sirus’ hand slowly forms a fist before opening it again. The blood in me follows the motion of said hands. I feel a foreign invasion from head to toe and I can’t move

“He-Hey! Wha-what are you doing?!” I pant out, sweats forming and dripping down my face as if I had a fever.

He smirks down at me. “Oh, just making sure you won’t die on me anytime soon. Also, your shade of blood is by far the most addicting. Scarlet. The color of a martyr.”

I swallow my tears while Sirus slices into the layers of skin of where he marked a few minutes ago. I can’t move my head to see what he’s doing. The feeling of helplessness crawls up the back of my throat again. He pulls back my skin like a cannibal on a mission. Tears run down the sides of my face at the agony coursing through my body. Is this what prey felt like? To be eaten alive as your heart palpitates in your ears? Your eyes blown wide, pupils dilated with fear, your predator feeding off of your adrenaline? Wishing to die, but can’t unless he wills it like some deity?

Sirus uses surgical retractors to hold my skin back methodically. I’ve never felt more exposed, more powerless like now. I would say this is what it is like to bare a soul to another person, but this goes beyond that.

He samples my blood again. What the fuck is he? Sirus strokes my exposed heart, and I shudder yet again at the contact.

“I heard the human has 206 bones. I wonder how many hybrids have hmm? Lets count, shall we? Now if you miscount we will have to start all over.”

Excruciating pain shatters me while I hear my rib bones crack under his powerful hands. My bottom lip wobbles, spittle gathering around it. “...1…”

Crack. Crack. Crack. “...5…”

Crumble. “...16…”

Crunch. “...18…” Vomit develops in the back of my throat and I choke on it.

“Ah, ah, ah. It looks like we will have to start all over…”

“No…please. Goddess no…”

“Your goddess hasn’t shown her face for thousands of years. You think she will show it now?” he cackles madly. “You semi-mortals are hilarious! Look at you, little rabbit. And look at me. No one is coming for your rescue my dear. Now shhh! I must start over.” he knits my bones back together, but instead of getting a small reprieve from the healing, a burning sensation sears them, and the thick smell of putrid flesh and bones causes me to gag.

I start to sob loudly. “Make it stop.. Please!”

Blackness engulfs my vision.

*******

Light streams down on my face. Its warm rays are so inviting and I smile for the first time in forever. Birds chirp and frogs croak nearby. Rich emerald trees sway with the warm winds. A voice enters my ears in the wind.

“I think you’ve suffered far more than most,” it says. The warmth of the voice reminds me of dark chocolate, so sweet and creamy that I can taste it on my tongue.

I whirl around to follow it, but replace nothing. “Who’s there?”

“You will have that answer soon enough, but for the moment, let me take this burden.”

My eyes burn with unshed tears. “Why? Why would you want to endure such torture?”

The voice provides a dark chuckle that could rival the sun. “It’s simple really. You are my redemption.”

A creamy white hand is revealed, and without a second thought I reach for it. A sharp zap shoots through my arm when I take the voice’s hand. With a blink of an eye, I’m surrounded by water and sand with a dark-skinned man drinking from a coconut.

“Little Helena, what are you up to?”