~KivaI nestle further into the corner of the cabin, feeling the jolts and bumps as we move along.I'm out of the rebellion compound, which is a miracle. Ark rose me before sunrise, telling me he wanted me to accompany him to an undisclosed location. I didn't protest because being out of that prison based place means a chance to escape.“I can’t believe this," I mumble, staring out the window.The cold frost I know so well in my Territory has melted away with the hours we have been travelling. We have ventured into new lands, where the trees are sparser and the fields stretch for miles.“I figured you would feel safer with me than alone in that compound," he notes, speaking to me for the first time since we left this morning.A vibrant sunrise has melted away into a moody, cloudy day. Rain threatens to fall the further we go, which is beneficial for me. If I run, my tracks won't last and the visibility will be low.Since we left I've been storing beneficial information. Not once has m
~KivaI stare up at the grey ceiling, tapping my fingers against my stomach.I've spent a great deal of time contemplating my own thoughts. Through this, I've managed to come to a single conclusion.There may be only one way of getting out of here, and that is through my mate.My door is left unlocked at all times, but I hear the scuff of feet constantly outside, reminding me that any attempts to leave would be thwarted.I'm used to having guards outside my door, but this is a different sensation. These ones are to keep me in, rather than keep others out.The door opens, scraping against the concrete floor. This room, this building, hasn't been erected with comfort in mind. They clearly always intended for me to be held captive here, although the nature of my dwellings showed that they don't care about comfort.I don't look toward the door, already aware of who it is.“You haven’t eaten," he says softly, noting my tray of untouched food on the floor.My lack of eating isn't a form of
~KivaThe door to my room opens, Ark walking in."Come." He motions toward the open door, tucking his hands behind his back.Frowning, I sit up. Dusk has faded into night, which is usually the time I spend being escorted to a bathing room.I don't think that is what Ark is here for.Getting up, I follow him tentatively through the door. Each time I leave that stuffy room, I feel an immense amount of tension remove itself from my body."Where are we going?" I ask, following him as he leads me down the corridor. There are no security around, but Ark is enough of a threat to keep me from making a break for it.And he wouldn't be bringing me out here if he didn't know there is nowhere for me to escape.Looking over the edge of the railing to the ground floor of the atrium below, I see it is drenched in gilded light. People linger below, grouped up as they enjoy each other's company.My stomach lurches. I'm stuck up here, while they enjoy themselves below, as if they aren't holding a capti
~KivaI slide my hand into Ark's, my breath quickening.This is my last chance to change my mind, to turn and run through the trees, my fate be damned...Instead, I allow him to lead me through the door back into the compound. The sound of is closing makes me wince, forcing me to reconsider my position.Am I strong enough to go into this and then walk away before things get heated? I'm starting to doubt that I'm capable of that, but I suppose I will see.Ark doesn't say anything as we wind through the corridor, heading toward his private room. I still can't tell if he's playing a game, waiting for me to crack, or if he really does intend to take this all the way tonight.A few people walk by us, staring with wide eyes. I'm the prisoner, and now I'm walking around holding hands with their leader.Ark doesn't so much as flinch, nor does he acknowledge them.Soon enough we reach the door to his room, which he shoulders open, leading me inside.I pause right in the threshold, my hand fall
~KivaTonight, my opportunity has come about by a random, very lucky series of events.It has been a couple days since I slept with Ark, and since then, I've been pushing my luck with what I am able to do. I am Ark's only weakness, and although I enjoyed our night together, I need to exploit it.So tonight, I asked one of the guards if I could switch one of the vegetables on my plate for another. She looked irritated, but obliged me.Her replacement got caught up in conversation just down the hall, so in the few seconds I had where my door was left unattended, I made a break for it.Now, I'm stalking quickly down the hallway, shoulders squared back, trying to look like I belong here.Since everyone is downstairs, enjoying their dinner together, I don't see anyone as I scale down the stairs, heading toward where I know there is a door to the outside world.Once I'm out there, I could get lost in the forest to freeze overnight. But there is a bit of daylight left, which I'm going to use
~KivaI draw in a sharp breath, training my eyes on Caspian.Is he dead?Ark stalks behind my husband, who shudders once, then starts to blink his eyes open. If I weren't bound to the chair by coarse rope, I think I would have collapsed onto the floor with relief.“What’s going on?” He groans, focusing first on me as he winces.My eyes trace a line of blood that travels down from behind Caspian's ear, down his neck to pool at his collarbone. He's been hit.He takes in the scene around him. His guards lay dead in pools of blood on the floor, which is a fate he may share with them very shortly.I know my mate. He is going to taunt him first.“It’s Ark. He’s here," I hiss, nodding my head at Caspian. He tenses, unable to turn around to face the man who is about to put him through hell.“I apologise Kiva. I’ll release you soon," Ark assures me, coming back around to stand within both Caspian and I's eyeline.“If you hurt him…” I warn.Ark holds a single finger up, showing off those cold l
~KivaThis is bad. Really bad.Ark has taken me back to the compound again, letting me calm down. I haven't slept, unable to stop replaying the events of the other night over in my head.Caspian is free. I'm free from him, although not free from Ark.But that is the least of my concerns. Ark's accusation rings in my head. His sister is dead, and somehow Caspian is involved, and so is my father.Did they kill her? My stomach churns at the thought.Rolling over in bed, I tuck my knees to my chest, wanting to sob. I have no reason to trust Ark, and yet I believe him. Seeing his expression, hearing the way he spoke has made it clear to me that whatever is going on is terrible.I just can't wrap my head around how my father is involved.The sound of voices drawing near has me sitting up. The guards that are usually posted outside my room don't speak much, and don't dare come in.Not like Ark did...It's strange to think that he once guarded my door as these people now do. I don't even know
~KivaI let them come to me first.Their faces are concealed by shadows, but I don't need to see them anyway. They are just more rebels who would rather kill me than risk allowing me redemption.The tallest one lunges for me first.Anticipating their attack, I slash the shard of glass along their arm in a similar fashion as with a knife. Ark's training rings in the back of my mind, giving me some confidence in my ability to get out of here.The rebel hisses in pain but barely flinches, still advancing on me. They manage to grab my arm in a firm grip, holding the glass away from themselves.Someone kicks me in the lower back, a jolt of pain accompanying me in my fall to the floor.I hadn't even realised someone had come up behind me...The rebel who kicked me climbs on top of me, trying to wrestle my arms behind my back while another readies the rope to wrap around my neck.With my cheek pressed against the cold floor, I try not to let my panic exhaust me.They really are going to do i
~Kiva"Ark!"My head spins as I practically throw myself from the couch. Ark catches me in his arms, pressing me close against him."Hey sweetheart," he soothes, holding me for a beat before he pulls me back so he can examine me. "What the fuck happened to you?"Dark, cold anger simmers in his eyes. He withholds it well, but I can see on his face, in the tension in his muscles that he's moments from exploding. "A lot. Sit down," I encourage, pointing to the couch. It's mostly for myself because I feel like I'm moments away from fainting.He guides me onto the couch before he sits next to me, his body turned to face me. He grazes his fingers over my skin, face, gently tracing over the bruises and marks that mar me. His jaw only tightens as I wince.Slowly, his attention shifts to Louis, who stands back a little. "Did you do this?""No, he didn't. He saved me," I cut in quickly. If Ark so much as suspects Louis is involved, he won't hesitate to kill him.He frowns. "Saved you?""You n
~KivaWe walk hastily through the forest, circling around the wait.We don't speak as we walk. Louis's breath is harsh as he keeps up a decent pace while still carrying Erin in his arms. My mind is still whirling, or maybe that's the blood I'm losing.It takes over an hour of us walking before we make it to Louis's home on the east side of the river. It's a simple wood cabin with two rooms and a bathroom.I would be happy for him, if I didn't know the job title that is funding this place.My legs wobble beneath me as I approach the couch, colours spotting in my vision. Louis hurries into another room, placing Erin on the bed.I sit slowly, feeling faint.I've lost a lot of blood from the back of my head. When I look down it's all over my chest, drenching the front of my shirt from where it has run down my neck."She's been drugged. She will be out for a bit," Louis says, closing the bedroom door as he comes out."It's for the best. She need's rest," I say quietly, squeezing my eyes sh
~KivaI roll my head back, groaning.Consciousness has struck me harshly and quickly, dragging me back up to reality. My vision spins, something on the back of my head aching sharply.It slowly dawns on me that I was hit viciously on the back of the head.My vision eventually starts to steady, the messy splotches of colour finally piecing together to reveal my father."Kiva," he says in a calm, steady voice.I blink. I'm in the room where I saved Erin, tied down to the bed. When I lift my hands, they are weighted down by thick iron chains."Why am I tied down," I ask breathily, trying not to let panic overwhelm me."Did you follow me, sweetheart?" father asks, taking a tentative step toward me. Behind him are two guards who stare me down menacingly. "Did Ark have you follow me?"I let out a long breath, trying to process what is happening.My father now knows that I've learnt about what is going on here. I'm tied down in a place where girls before me have been tortured and murdered,
~KivaSteadying myself, I head through the front door.Initially I planned to burst in and confront my father, to threaten him. However, once I enter, hearing voices drift down the hall, I decide to slow play this.Pressing my back against the wall, I inch closer to the room, keeping my eye out for anyone who could pass by.This place seems like any other home. Aspects of it have clearly been changed to suit a business, with what looks like a waiting room in the old sitting room and a reception in the foyer.I will investigate the intricacies of the place later. For now, I want to hear what my father is saying.“How do we know they don’t already have something on us?” The unfamiliar voice sounds panicked.“If this were about the business they would have killed my daughter.”I draw in a breath. They are talking about the rebellion. Father would never openly tell me what he thinks, so I listen keenly.“Maybe they were planning to.” The other voice sounds like they are pacing.“She doesn
~KivaThe dining room opens up around as I approach where my father sits, enjoying his breakfast.A shaft of sunlight cast through the towering dining room windows gives my father a deceptively ethereal glow.He looks innocent. He couldn't be further from that.His eyes lift as I wander in. "Good morning. Feel better?"I school my expression into a smile, remembering the story. I was kidnapped, and now I am home and terrified the rebellion is going to come for me."I feel...fine," I exclaim stiffly, sliding into my chair.Father's gaze feels heavy as I carefully select my breakfast. A piece of toast I'm going to smother in spread, accompanied by some fruit.It's what I would choose if I weren't hiding something. It's what I would choose if I weren't moments away from throwing up on the polished floor."You have been through a few hard weeks, haven't you dear?"I ignore the bite of pain in my stomach. His sincere tone doesn't help the situation. I must fixate on Ark, his sister and all
~KivaMoments later, a figure emerges at the window, clambering through.I tense, watching Ark duck his head under the glass, snow dusting his shoulders and hair. I admire the ease at which he climbed up the trellis considering the amount of times I have fallen from it.He removes his cloth mask, breath clouding in front of me as he meets my gaze.His expression immediately softens. "Hey, are you okay?"I look down at my hands, unable to face him. This is the most horrifying discovery I have ever made and I am still reeling from it."I...no."He's crouched in front of me in an instant, grabbing my hands in his gloved one's. The ice still lingering on the fabric burns at my skin, but I welcome the distraction."What happened?" he asks gently."I found something. Bad," I tell him, fighting past the lump in my throat to say it.I feel so stupid. How many years was this going on and I never knew about it? Ark allowed me to hate him for weeks, trying to protect me from the horror that I wo
~KivaI walk through the manor doors, shoulders back, chin tilted up.The guards stare in wonder and confusion, making to say something, but I wave them off. I don't want a fuss."Get my father," I tell one of them.The nod, rushing off toward his office.It's early evening and I'm finally returning home. I spent my entire childhood in this home, and now it just feels vast and empty, void of everything that once pleased me.Ark and I spent the whole day coming up with a plan for tonight. I've come here to find evidence of what Ark has alleged.Not even a minute later my father is rushing down the stairs toward me.Only a day ago I would have rejoiced at seeing my father. I may have felt overcome with emotion, grateful to have been freed from the rebels.Now, I feel nothing but repulsion."Father," I say, trying to sound relieved, although it comes out rushed and a little rehearsed."Kiva...oh my baby, you're home." He ushers me into a hug, holding me close. I let him, fighting the urg
~KivaI let them come to me first.Their faces are concealed by shadows, but I don't need to see them anyway. They are just more rebels who would rather kill me than risk allowing me redemption.The tallest one lunges for me first.Anticipating their attack, I slash the shard of glass along their arm in a similar fashion as with a knife. Ark's training rings in the back of my mind, giving me some confidence in my ability to get out of here.The rebel hisses in pain but barely flinches, still advancing on me. They manage to grab my arm in a firm grip, holding the glass away from themselves.Someone kicks me in the lower back, a jolt of pain accompanying me in my fall to the floor.I hadn't even realised someone had come up behind me...The rebel who kicked me climbs on top of me, trying to wrestle my arms behind my back while another readies the rope to wrap around my neck.With my cheek pressed against the cold floor, I try not to let my panic exhaust me.They really are going to do i
~KivaThis is bad. Really bad.Ark has taken me back to the compound again, letting me calm down. I haven't slept, unable to stop replaying the events of the other night over in my head.Caspian is free. I'm free from him, although not free from Ark.But that is the least of my concerns. Ark's accusation rings in my head. His sister is dead, and somehow Caspian is involved, and so is my father.Did they kill her? My stomach churns at the thought.Rolling over in bed, I tuck my knees to my chest, wanting to sob. I have no reason to trust Ark, and yet I believe him. Seeing his expression, hearing the way he spoke has made it clear to me that whatever is going on is terrible.I just can't wrap my head around how my father is involved.The sound of voices drawing near has me sitting up. The guards that are usually posted outside my room don't speak much, and don't dare come in.Not like Ark did...It's strange to think that he once guarded my door as these people now do. I don't even know