The crowd grew restless, cheering and shouting in approval. I ignored them, focusing instead on the vampire beside me. He was uncomfortably familiar, I even recognized that overpowering cologne. I tried to look beyond the fangs of his horrifying mask to the jawline within, but it covered everything, leaving only terror incarnate. His grip tightened on my arm, yanking me against his chest. I felt utterly helpless against his strength. His next words were soft, meant only for me.
“We’re going to torture you and turn you. He’ll come for you, and then we’ll kill him. Once again, we will rule.”
“Roman will destroy you,” I spat.
“He can try.”
I twisted in his grip to meet his gaze. “If he doesn’t, I will.”
I knew it was a lie as I spoke, but I would rather die fighting than accept a life of slavery here.
He chuckled, the sound reverberating off his mask in a haunting echo. “Oh, pet, you are nothing. A mere blip of existence, built to please. You couldn’t hurt me if you tried.”
Fueled by a mix of hatred, anger, and the drug-induced fog, I spatin his face. He erupted in curses, and I smirked. “Release me, now.”
He struck my cheek hard enough to throw me backward, then wiped his mask with the same hand. “You’re in no position to demand anything. Allow me to show you to your chambers, pet.”
Behind the throne was a narrow door leading to a dark, spiraling staircase. The musty smell of stale air and mildew assaulted my lungs. All I could think about was the academy’s cellar, where I had been chained and tortured. I knew this would be far worse.
The only thing visible was his torch-like eyes in the pitch-black basement. My heart pounded in my throat. I didn’t need to close my eyes to see my fears; the darkness revealed them all. He briefly released me, his casual steps revealing how little he feared my escape.
A creaking sound echoed through the room, and I froze. “Don’t you dare lock me down here.”
“Shut up.” His hand shot out from the shadows, dragging me past the barred door. He released me with such force that I fell to the floor.
The only sign of his departure was the clang of the barred door and the echo of his shoes. I curled my feet to my chest. Before I could cry, a soft orange glow bathed the cell in light.
Three faces emerged in the glow. The middle girl had dark skin and soft features framed by what I assumed had once been beautiful curls. To her left was a girl with alabaster skin and startling green eyes, her red hair cascading over her bare shoulders, merging with the candle’s flame.
The third girl… despite her bruises and emaciation, I recognized her immediately. Solaris’ eyes, once bright and full of life, were now hollow and haunted. I instinctively scrambled forward and raked my fingers through her matted curls, pulling her to me. She didn’t even notice. “What happened to you?”
Her gravelly voice was barely a whisper. “You were right, Es.About everything.”
“Hehappened to her,” the middle girl said, her brown eyes holding a clarity the others lacked.
I understood immediately, seeing the bruises and emaciated forms before me. They had been sold for this very purpose by men they had once called family. I stared back in silence, unsure of what to say.
“My name is Charlotte, if it matters. This is Ava.” She gestured to the redhead. Her tone was flat and cold.
“Estrella.” Charlotte waved my name away as if it were irrelevant. Perhaps it was.
“You look healthy, Es.” Solaris’ hand fluttered to my cheek. I knew what she saw there—the glow of safety and a full stomach, a far cry from the last time she’d seen me.
“I am. You were right. The tsar is good, and when we escape, I’ll show you.”
Ava laughed—a shrill sound that scraped along my bones. Her wild, haunted eyes bore into me. “We will never escape.”
I looked between the three of them. Their lives had been sold to the highest bidder. Hatred blossomed in my chest. I couldn’t allow myself to fear my fate while they had endured the same for so long.
“We will escape. I promise.”
Solaris gripped my elbow, weak but determined. “I believe you.”
Her words rang in my ears. My sister had always been my rock, strong and caring when I was weak and selfish. Now, the same girl looked at me with eyes glistening from the horrors she had endured. My sunlight had been extinguished.
I hated them all. I hated that mysterious man who felt entitled to me. Somehow, that hatred steadied my mind. I trusted Roman to search for us but finding us would be nearly impossible. Instead, I focused on the fact that I would be turned. Then I would tear them all apart or die trying.
I wasn’t sure how long it was before that monster returned. Hissteps on the stone stairs sounded like a death knell. The girls huddled into a corner and extinguished their candle. I positioned myself in front of them. It was me he wanted—a new toy, not yet ruined. I stared into that badger mask, at those eyes that had burned a pit into my soul, leaving nothing but emptiness and fear behind.
