Lyra’s POV
“Hell's pit?” I whispered, leaning hard against the wall. For some reason, the guard’s last words echoed in my ears like he was right here to whisper them in my ears. ‘You're the one who's going to hell for your crimes’.
Was this it?
Hell?
I closed my eyes and swallowed hard,
“What do you mean by hell's pit?” Each breath was agonizingly painful, and with each second that passed by, I kept regretting my actions of not claiming my life when I had the chance. From the little one's words, I needed no soothsayer to tell me I had been sold to this HELL'S PIT by Zorah.
I kept my gaze on the girl with the whip, slightly stunned by her revealing dress. Only her nipples were covered with the transparent top she was putting on, and through the lacy shorts, I could see the traces of her curved ass staring back at me. I tore my gaze away, staring at the dried up blood on my knuckles,
“Why am I here?”
The whip lady took slow strides towards me, stroking the whip seductively like it was her lover or something. The dungeon was dark, but I could see her clearly, the way her brown eyes sparkled with mischief, it reminded me of Meera for some reason. She raised the whip and brought it down on my legs. I flinched, trying to consume the pain spreading through me like a deadly disease, but I couldn't hold the shrill cry that escaped my lips.
A tear slipped down my cheeks as I hurriedly placed my palm over the spot, trying to ease it with my fingers, but it hurt even more.
My lips trembled as I raised my head again, but she continued, each strike harder than the first.
When she was done, I couldn't even raise my head. I kept staring at the red, long lines on my thighs which would probably become scars without being treated.
“You learn fast.” Her chuckle grazed my ears and I felt a pang of pain in my chest. I inhaled deep breaths to contain the anger surging through my veins, but when I couldn't, I raised my head and glared at her,
“If this is the same way you treated her.” I pointed at the little one next to me, “Then you're a monster!” I spat.
The lady's cheeks turned red with anger. She raised her whip again, but the little one came to stand before me, falling to her knees quickly,
“Ignore her, Miss Carolina. You can't allow her to ruin your mood.” She spoke with so much difficulty, like she weighed each word before blurting them out. My heart ached for her, she was only a young girl. Going through this was way too much for her.
The whip lady, Carolina, glanced at me coldly, “I'm sparing you because of her not because you're new here.” She announced sharply and stepped back. The young girl turned to stare at me and flashed me a small smile, “You’ll survive.” I held onto her words like a fish out of the ocean struggling to survive even though that was barely possible. I lowered my gaze as Carolina’s voice pierced the air again,
“Welcome to Hell's pit, also known as the Devil's underworld. You've been sold to us at an extremely valuable price, so you practically belong to us now.”
It took my whole strength to remain calm.
I wanted to scream, yell at Carolina and tell her to fucking shut up, the truth was glaring but I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to believe my uncle really sold me to this kind of place after killing my best friend. No one made a single comment, it seemed like the announcement was for me alone, they were all used to Carolina.
They didn't even flinch at the sound of the whip.
“Since I'm making the announcement for her, it doesn't mean you all shouldn't listen. After your training, you'll become breeders of Hell's pit, women trained for pleasure and birthing another life.”
My eyes widened. I couldn't hold on to my shock this time. I raised my head and lowered it quickly,
“I'm sorry.” I whispered, closing my eyes, “I'm so sorry I raised my head.”
Carolina ignored my words and continued, pacing around the dungeon as she gave instructions.
“The new one is starting her training alone, in a few days time, you'll begin your work officially. Is that clear?” At the same time, about eight ladies all raised their heads and choroused the word
“Yes”
I was shocked out of my wits.
I had questions.
A whole lot of questions.
What was the training? What did she mean by Hell pit’s breeders? What the hell did she mean by becoming a breeder? I pressed my lips together, scratching my nails on the cold floor. Carolina remained quiet for a few minutes and while I stared at my feets, her shoes suddenly appeared before me.
She raised my chin and forced me to stare at her,
“I'll give you the opportunity to ask two questions.”
Two questions?
It was better than nothing.
I nodded shakily and chose the right questions,
“Miss Carolina, what do you mean by breeding and birthing life?” She raised her hands and smacked my cheeks hard, drawing blood from my lips. My head swayed and I almost lost my balance. My eyes stinged as her sharp words filled my ears,
“One question at a time.”
I nodded again, fighting the tears in my eyes,
“What do you mean by breeding?”
“Even if you're a virgin, I'm sure you know what sex is, you can't deny it, you're going to be doing a whole lot of that here, it's your only way to survive.” My legs trembled as my heart skipped a beat. I furrowed my brows, biting my lips hard,
“I'd carry another man's child?”
“Our clients would deposit their seeds in you and after your night of pleasure, you're expected to provide them with kids.”
“What?!”
Lyra's POVWhat?!The words echoed in my mind like a drumbeat. What was she talking about? I could barely grasp the meaning before Miss Caroline, she yanked my arm so forcefully that the world blurred before me. Pain shot up my shoulder like lightning, but my lips stayed sealed.I wanted to scream, to lash out, but something in her ice-cold gaze made my chest tighten, and my tongue felt heavy. I managed to swallow the burning lump in my throat, forcing my breath into something resembling composure, even though the whole situation reeked of injustice."Lyra," she snapped, as if the name was a foul taste on her tongue. "Or whatever your name is, I don't have time for your questions. Get inside, now."The venom in her voice made my stomach twist.My body felt numb as she dragged me, the cold stone floor beneath my feet scraping against my skin. I could feel the sting of her fingers around my wrist, digging in like she was trying to claim ownership over me. I stumbled, but she didn’t seem
Meera’s POVI stood at the edge of the stairs, my breath shallow, my body tensing as the sneeze tickled the back of my throat. It was almost unbearable. My eyes watered, and I could feel my nostrils twitching with the impending eruption. Holding my breath, I fought it, wanting to be in control. I didn’t want to show any weakness in front of him. But, of course, just as I thought I could manage it, the sneeze came crashing through, an involuntary explosion of air. It echoed through the house, bouncing off the walls like a distant gunshot. I rubbed my nose hastily, frustrated with my own body.At the top of the stairs, I waited. Still, I had to admit I was feeling a little impatient. The clock was ticking. There was no time to waste. I could hear my father’s movements coming from upstairs, the creak of his footsteps signaling his descent. I took a deep breath, the air sharp as it filled my lungs, and turned to face the living room.I couldn’t stand waiting any longer. If he wasn’t going
Lyra’s povI sat at the end of the cell, my knees hugged tightly to my chest. The rough stone walls of the prison seemed to close in around me, the weight of the day pressing down on my chest like an iron fist. The echoes of the laborers' anger still rang in my ears, their faces twisted in fury, their voices laced with mockery. It wasn’t just the physical pain that bothered me—no, it was the way they looked at me, as if I were nothing more than a broken tool to be used and discarded.I rubbed my chest, the ache sharp, and my mind wandered back to the prison yard. The way the guards barked orders, the way I was treated like a lesser being. Even my uncle’s cruelty seemed kinder compared to the torment of being here, in this hellhole.Just when I thought I might crack under the weight of it all, a sudden burst of noise broke through the suffocating silence. It started as a faint murmur, then grew louder, like a wave crashing against a shore. Trembling voices filled the air, their despera
Lyra’s POV His lips twitched into something between a grin and a snarl. "You’re a firebird, aren’t you? I like that." He withdrew his hand slowly, the amusement never leaving his face. "You will be mine, Lyra. Whether you accept it or not.""Is that supposed to scare me?" I asked, my voice sharp. "Because it doesn’t."His smile faded, replaced by a steely look. "It will."I stared at him, defiant, refusing to let him see the flicker of fear that threatened to rise. I wasn’t going to bend. I wasn’t going to break."Maybe not," he mused, his fingers curling into a fist. "But I’ll make you want to be. And when you do, you’ll realize just how little control you ever had."The sharp wind outside the prison cut through me like a blade, but it wasn’t the cold that chilled me now—it was the weight of Miss Caroline’s words, still echoing in my mind, rattling through my chest like a death knell. I’m nothing. Her voice, venomous and cold, played on a loop in my thoughts, each repetition digging
Lyra’s POVThe heavy chains rattled with every step I took, my heart a wild thrum beneath my ribs. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, the grim, overpowering odor of men and women bound together by fate. This place—this wretched place—wasn't unfamiliar. No, I knew it well. It was the other side of the cage I had once been locked in. The place I feared and fought against with every ounce of strength. But this time, there was no escape.I inhaled sharply, the sharp tang of metal stinging my nostrils. The guards' boots echoed behind me, their sharp, heavy steps a reminder of the power they held over my fragile existence. One of them, a burly man with a jagged scar that ran from his temple down to his cheek, glanced over at me, his eyes cold, unreadable. He didn’t speak, but I could feel the weight of his gaze, the judgment in his silence."Keep walking," the second guard snapped, shoving me forward with a force that nearly knocked me off balance. I stumbled but caught myself, grit
Lyra’s POVI flinched at his words, but said nothing. I couldn't. I wasn’t sure how to respond anymore. It was all a lie, all a game, and I was just a pawn caught in it. My mind was too clouded with fear, too heavy with doubt.The guards exchanged a glance before the second one spoke again. "We’ll leave you to get settled. Don’t try anything funny." His smile was dark, devoid of warmth, like he was looking forward to whatever came next.With a final, lingering look at me, the guards exited, leaving the door ajar. The heavy silence descended upon me once again.I hadn’t even realized how tightly I had been holding my breath until the air felt somewhat clearer, though no less oppressive. My heart still thudded painfully in my chest, my senses on high alert.But I wasn’t alone for long.The sound of footsteps approached from the hallway, soft at first, then growing closer. The door creaked open again, and a woman stepped into the room, holding a tray of food. She was tall, her figure gra
Vincenzo’s POVI had finally gotten her. The stubborn little hellion, the one who had dared to speak back to me, who had made me lose my patience in front of everyone. Lyra. That woman was a problem, a puzzle I couldn’t wait to solve. If she thought her defiance would protect her, she had no idea what she was in for. The chain around her neck was a small token of my control, a reminder that she was mine now.As I descended the grand staircase of my mansion, my hand lazily resting on the polished wood of the railing, I felt a satisfaction in the air. This was going to be a night to remember. She wasn’t going to make things easy for me, I knew that. But nothing about this game would be easy. It never was.I passed a servant near the drink cart, and without a word, I motioned for a glass of wine. A small, subtle gesture. I didn’t need to say much. The servant hurried off to fill my request. The wine, deep and red, would be perfect—dark, heavy, just like the night ahead of us. I needed s
Vincenzo’s POVShe twisted in my grip, trying to break free. “I’ll never bend to you,” she snapped, her voice steady but filled with venom.I threw her onto the bed with force, this time ensuring that she stayed there. Her body bounced against the mattress, and I heard the chain rattle as it caught on the frame. She scrambled to sit up, but I was already towering over her, my shadow swallowing her whole.“Stay,” I ordered.Her lip curled, and she gave me a look that was almost too arrogant for my liking. “You’re wasting your time.”I reached down and grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. “It’s not about wasting time, Lyra,” I said softly, my voice dark. “It’s about making sure you understand your place. You don’t get to run from this. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”She pushed my hand away, but there was a hesitation in her movement. A slight tremor in her fingers. She was trying not to show it, but I could see it in the way she flinched when I touched her.
Meera’s POVI couldn’t tell if he was being sincere or if this was just another one of his manipulative tactics, but for a moment, I let myself believe in his words. For a moment, I wanted to believe that maybe he wasn’t just another obstacle, another player in this cutthroat game.I shook my head, a dry laugh escaping my lips. "You think it’s that simple?""It can be," he said softly. "But only if you stop pretending you have to do everything on your own."His gaze held mine, unflinching, waiting for me to say something. But what could I say? What could I possibly offer in a situation where I had already lost so much?"I can’t fix this," I said, barely more than a whisper, the weight of those words heavier than I could bear.Gabriel didn’t release my wrist, but his expression softened, his thumb still tracing gentle circles. "No one expects you to. But you don’t have to fight it alone anymore."For a second, just a split second, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, I w
Meera’s POVThe boardroom felt suffocating, the air thick with tension. The usual hum of polite conversation had morphed into an endless squabble, each person fighting for their own agenda. The voices grew louder, overlapping, one accusation after another. Every word felt like a dagger to my chest, but none of them seemed to care. I stood frozen at the head of the table, my hands gripping the edges so hard my knuckles turned white."I told you this wouldn't work!" Raymond’s voice boomed across the room, his face flushed red. "We're not signing anything until we have a better guarantee.""I’m not going to keep going in circles with you!" Claire shot back, her arms folded across her chest, eyes narrowed. "Your numbers are a joke, Raymond. They were wrong from the start!"They didn't even notice me anymore, just locked in their own battle of egos and stubbornness. This was supposed to be the deal that would save my company, that would turn everything around. But instead, it felt like it
Vincenzo’s POVShe twisted in my grip, trying to break free. “I’ll never bend to you,” she snapped, her voice steady but filled with venom.I threw her onto the bed with force, this time ensuring that she stayed there. Her body bounced against the mattress, and I heard the chain rattle as it caught on the frame. She scrambled to sit up, but I was already towering over her, my shadow swallowing her whole.“Stay,” I ordered.Her lip curled, and she gave me a look that was almost too arrogant for my liking. “You’re wasting your time.”I reached down and grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. “It’s not about wasting time, Lyra,” I said softly, my voice dark. “It’s about making sure you understand your place. You don’t get to run from this. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”She pushed my hand away, but there was a hesitation in her movement. A slight tremor in her fingers. She was trying not to show it, but I could see it in the way she flinched when I touched her.
Vincenzo’s POVI had finally gotten her. The stubborn little hellion, the one who had dared to speak back to me, who had made me lose my patience in front of everyone. Lyra. That woman was a problem, a puzzle I couldn’t wait to solve. If she thought her defiance would protect her, she had no idea what she was in for. The chain around her neck was a small token of my control, a reminder that she was mine now.As I descended the grand staircase of my mansion, my hand lazily resting on the polished wood of the railing, I felt a satisfaction in the air. This was going to be a night to remember. She wasn’t going to make things easy for me, I knew that. But nothing about this game would be easy. It never was.I passed a servant near the drink cart, and without a word, I motioned for a glass of wine. A small, subtle gesture. I didn’t need to say much. The servant hurried off to fill my request. The wine, deep and red, would be perfect—dark, heavy, just like the night ahead of us. I needed s
Lyra’s POVI flinched at his words, but said nothing. I couldn't. I wasn’t sure how to respond anymore. It was all a lie, all a game, and I was just a pawn caught in it. My mind was too clouded with fear, too heavy with doubt.The guards exchanged a glance before the second one spoke again. "We’ll leave you to get settled. Don’t try anything funny." His smile was dark, devoid of warmth, like he was looking forward to whatever came next.With a final, lingering look at me, the guards exited, leaving the door ajar. The heavy silence descended upon me once again.I hadn’t even realized how tightly I had been holding my breath until the air felt somewhat clearer, though no less oppressive. My heart still thudded painfully in my chest, my senses on high alert.But I wasn’t alone for long.The sound of footsteps approached from the hallway, soft at first, then growing closer. The door creaked open again, and a woman stepped into the room, holding a tray of food. She was tall, her figure gra
Lyra’s POVThe heavy chains rattled with every step I took, my heart a wild thrum beneath my ribs. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, the grim, overpowering odor of men and women bound together by fate. This place—this wretched place—wasn't unfamiliar. No, I knew it well. It was the other side of the cage I had once been locked in. The place I feared and fought against with every ounce of strength. But this time, there was no escape.I inhaled sharply, the sharp tang of metal stinging my nostrils. The guards' boots echoed behind me, their sharp, heavy steps a reminder of the power they held over my fragile existence. One of them, a burly man with a jagged scar that ran from his temple down to his cheek, glanced over at me, his eyes cold, unreadable. He didn’t speak, but I could feel the weight of his gaze, the judgment in his silence."Keep walking," the second guard snapped, shoving me forward with a force that nearly knocked me off balance. I stumbled but caught myself, grit
Lyra’s POV His lips twitched into something between a grin and a snarl. "You’re a firebird, aren’t you? I like that." He withdrew his hand slowly, the amusement never leaving his face. "You will be mine, Lyra. Whether you accept it or not.""Is that supposed to scare me?" I asked, my voice sharp. "Because it doesn’t."His smile faded, replaced by a steely look. "It will."I stared at him, defiant, refusing to let him see the flicker of fear that threatened to rise. I wasn’t going to bend. I wasn’t going to break."Maybe not," he mused, his fingers curling into a fist. "But I’ll make you want to be. And when you do, you’ll realize just how little control you ever had."The sharp wind outside the prison cut through me like a blade, but it wasn’t the cold that chilled me now—it was the weight of Miss Caroline’s words, still echoing in my mind, rattling through my chest like a death knell. I’m nothing. Her voice, venomous and cold, played on a loop in my thoughts, each repetition digging
Lyra’s povI sat at the end of the cell, my knees hugged tightly to my chest. The rough stone walls of the prison seemed to close in around me, the weight of the day pressing down on my chest like an iron fist. The echoes of the laborers' anger still rang in my ears, their faces twisted in fury, their voices laced with mockery. It wasn’t just the physical pain that bothered me—no, it was the way they looked at me, as if I were nothing more than a broken tool to be used and discarded.I rubbed my chest, the ache sharp, and my mind wandered back to the prison yard. The way the guards barked orders, the way I was treated like a lesser being. Even my uncle’s cruelty seemed kinder compared to the torment of being here, in this hellhole.Just when I thought I might crack under the weight of it all, a sudden burst of noise broke through the suffocating silence. It started as a faint murmur, then grew louder, like a wave crashing against a shore. Trembling voices filled the air, their despera
Meera’s POVI stood at the edge of the stairs, my breath shallow, my body tensing as the sneeze tickled the back of my throat. It was almost unbearable. My eyes watered, and I could feel my nostrils twitching with the impending eruption. Holding my breath, I fought it, wanting to be in control. I didn’t want to show any weakness in front of him. But, of course, just as I thought I could manage it, the sneeze came crashing through, an involuntary explosion of air. It echoed through the house, bouncing off the walls like a distant gunshot. I rubbed my nose hastily, frustrated with my own body.At the top of the stairs, I waited. Still, I had to admit I was feeling a little impatient. The clock was ticking. There was no time to waste. I could hear my father’s movements coming from upstairs, the creak of his footsteps signaling his descent. I took a deep breath, the air sharp as it filled my lungs, and turned to face the living room.I couldn’t stand waiting any longer. If he wasn’t going