CHAPTER TWO

Eleanor's POV

I gasped in shock. I have powers now?

“Fetch more water!” Another guard cried out.

I leaned on the iron rail and watched them scramble for buckets of water like soldiers ants scattered around the floor. They looked so pathetic as they wailed helplessly. I found it strange but in a way I wanted their screams to be louder. I stretched my hand towards Sebastian's favourite carriage and it caught fire.

A laugh escaped my lips and I let it echo with the wind.

“How the heck did that tree catch fire!” Sebastian yelled as he ran in with two guards flanking him.

“My carriage!” He yelled again.

I cupped my hand over my mouth. “Serves you right, asshole.”

He stood at akimbo, watching the guards and maids quench the fire.

A man ran to meet him and whispered in his ears. He looked up at the window and our eyes met. I could see the rage in his piercing green eyes. His hair danced in the wind as the fire died down and he didn't stop staring at me.

I threw him a wink at him and went back inside. Setting those items on fire was just a tip of the iceberg. Next would be his lovely mistress and finally, I'll torch him on our matrimonial bed. If that wasn't the best revenge then I don't know what is.

I made sure to wake you before the sun for a stroll around the garden. There was a ting of smoke in the air and even the path that led to the swing was charred. A chuckle escaped my lips when I found the swing dangling like it was holding on for it's life.

“Let's see you sit on the swing now, Alessia.” I smirked and walked towards it.

As I neared the swing, I caught sight of white and black dresses ahead. Ah, the maids had come to gossip and they were not alone.

“... Did you see that fire? Oh my Gosh. For a second I thought we were under attack.” One of them began in a whisper. I'd recognize that voice anywhere. It was Clara. She was one for the maids that had prepared the dinner that almost killed me. That bitch would do anything to get to Sebastian's bed if she hadn't already.

Another maid interrupted with a low hiss. That was Pearl. “We were under attack. Did you not see the way the fire spread from tree to tree?”

The last person was someone I didn’t expect. Her voice was much lower than theirs but you could hear the rage in them.

“The fire didn't spread. If it had, the fire on the left would've spread from the tree to the one in the middle but it didn't. The attack was at random. Someone did this intentionally. Someone on the inside.”

The girls gasped just like I predicted they would.

Letting out a whistle, I walked in on their conversation just to spite them.

“Well, well, well, look who it is.” Clara crossed her arms over her chest.

“If it isn't Eleanor, the girl that looks like a butter knife.” Pearl added with an eye roll.

I chuckled. This was getting old. “Your insults are as weak as your ego. Maybe you should stick to what you're good at : being ugly.”

Pearl gasped. “What the!”

“You will not speak to my girls like that, you wench!” Alessia raised her hand to hit me but I caught her wrist just in time.

“And you,” I heaved a tired sigh. “I'm not sure what's more frustrating, listening to your rants or watching you try to come up with a decent comeback.”

Alessia's face turned red and she raised her left hand and I caught it too. “Let go of me, you stupid bitch!”

“I'm thinking of starting a charity to help people like you who are struggling with common sense.” I let go of her hands and she swatted, dropping to the floor like her shattered ego.

“Mistress Alessia!” The girls ran to her side to help her.

Clara fisted her hand and rose to her feet. “Hey! What is your problem? Are you that jealous that our mistress had the Lycan King's attention than you’ll ever have?”

Now, I just had to laugh.

“Jealous? Of that? Oh please, I've seen better people and I'm far jealous from that thing you call a mistress.”

“What?” Alessia yelled like the annoying wolf she was. “How dare you, Eleanor! I'll deal with you!”

“Oh please, you won't, Alessia,” I dropped to a squat. “You think you're higher than me but all you are is Sebastian's sex toy. I might not have his attention but at least I have his ring on my finger. You're nothing more than a bad joke — annoying and never funny. I used to think you were ignorant but now I realise you're just willfully stupid.”

I rose to my feet while enjoying the surprised look on her face.

“It's no use talking to you. It's like I'm trying to explain basic math to a child. Enjoy the company of your maids and your burnt swing. Don't trip on your way out.”

I bade her a wave as I walked away.

That afternoon, I spent time plotting my revenge against Sebastian. Living the hard life had made me stronger coupled with this power, I felt invisible.

I heard a quiet knock on the door followed by a familiar voice. “Ma'am, your lunch is ready.”

“Thank you, Grace. I'll be down shortly.” I replied.

I took one a look at the paper sprawled all over my desk. My plan will be in motion in three days time.

“Just relax where you are, Sebastian.” I pushed back my seat. “I'm coming for you.”

I walked to the door with a smile on my face. Everything was going according to plan. As I held the door open, I felt a sharp blow on my head and everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a dimly lit cave. Skulls of different animals dangled from the ceiling. I sat up with a wince and looked ahead. There was a fire.

“There she is.” came a low hiss.

“W - who are you?” I asked no one in particular. I couldn't see my kidnapper.

A figure stooped to the floor and grabbed my chin. I could barely make out the image of the stranger because my sight blurred.

Before I could speak, I felt a cold metal to my throat and I froze. An additional hand blindfolded me. I was trapped.

“No, no, please.” Tears swarm into my eyes when I felt his hand tug at my skirt.

“No?” He cackled evilly. For a moment, I thought his voice echoed until I noticed he wasn't the only one in the room. Others were with him.

“No! Please!” I screamed.

“Wrong choice of words, honey.” He clawed through my skirt and underwear. I was left bare.

“Please, don't.”

“You think you can act all high and mighty, Eleanor? Well, you're so damn wrong.” said the unfamiliar masculine voice.

He slammed into me and I threw my eyes heavenward. The skulls seemed to mock me as the man had his way with me. When he was done, his friends joined in the fun, marking my body with knives as they toyed with my body.

When they were done, they tossed my body into the river, leaving me to die.

Before oxygen left my body, I prayed to the Moon Goddess for one last wish, hoping she would answer me.

My arms grew heavy as the river currents pulled me downwards and I closed my eyes, slipping into quiet.

“Eleanor?” A voice called out. Where was it coming from?

“Eleanor?” The voice called out again. This time, louder.

“Eleanor!”

I threw my eyes open, startled and shivering.

“Are you alright?” Amelia, my maid asked, giving me a worried look.

Amelia? What was she doing here?

“We are going to be late. We have to pick up your dress for the mating ceremony.” She said.

“What?” I was confused.

“What do you mean? You're getting ready for the mating ceremony, aren't you?” She gestured to the carriage waiting in the courtyard.

Wait a second, this was 2 years ago. Did I go back in time?