Protection

-Justin-

We had no real reason to crash this party besides the fact that Eric was bored. He claimed that he was in need of more souls to turn into shadow creatures. But honestly he was bored and wanted to drag me from my much needed rest.

Eric taunted the girl as she sassed back. I forced my expression to be bored as he toyed with the twins for awhile longer. No matter how my feet itched to intervene, I stopped myself. As one of the girls revealed magic. I smirked to myself, This could get interesting…

I watched the girl banter with Eric a bit more as he assessed her. He seemed to enjoy the fight even more with her cold exterior. More wraiths appeared and I tensed, Eric was a Shadow weaver meaning he had control over them, supposedly. Eric could weave and manipulate shadows to travel and even capture dead souls and turn them into wraiths. Yet wraiths were still somewhat feral creatures. They had talons which could slice through bone if given the chance. Not how I wished to spend my time.

I turned to Eddy beside me, his wild brown hair getting in his eyes “Should we intervene?” I whispered under my breath. Eddy grasped my arm shaking his head. He always was one to shy away from confrontation. Andrew on the other hand stood as emotionless as ever. He was one of the reasons why we were stuck in this mess to begin with.

Eric had lured Andrew to his cause with lies where he trapped him. Andrew was a shell of who he once was, barely speaking and following orders without question. I hated him for it. Hated how Eddy followed him and I much to my dismay stuck by their side. Liam had escaped a month ago finally having enough. He had urged me to join him, but again I had stayed.

I shrugged Eddy’s hand away sending a glare towards the bloodsucker. The vampire's name was Damion, I just preferred bloodsucker as it suited him more. He somehow got it in his thick skull that he had authority over us. Nobody gave me orders. Nobody except Eric.

I snapped out of my thoughts seeing Eric glower at the now unconscious girl. She had given everything for her pack. A pack that by the looks of it hadn't even cared enough to come back for them. I was tired and bored I rather be part of a party instead of massacre everyone. Just picturing my warm bed had anger spark in my chest once more. Here I was waiting for Eric to have his fun, just so I could rest. “Leave her Eric.” I ignored Andrew’s glare and Eddy’s appalled gaze. I was practically asking to die right now.

I quickly added to divert his attention away from me, “Are we bringing them back? Or are you going to kill them both?”

Eric's face twisted to fury at my disruption before he paused in thought. I knew I had struck a nerve, maybe even two. Eric wanted support in his cause. The cause of conquering all of the North and uniting all species. He believed that as a united front we would be powerful and safe. He just had a shitty way of obtaining that goal. Having two more gifted people would benefit us greatly at the moment since Liam’s disappearance. Besides enough blood had been spilled already. I racked my brain thinking of other ways to keep the girls alive, as well as myself. I came up with none. This was the only way.

Tension filled the room as Eric slowly patted my back. I winced it was more of a hit silently meaning ‘If you ever interrupt again I’ll flay you’ kind of pat.

“You’re right.” Eric spoke emotionlessly. Justin, why don't you carry one of them?”

Damion, the annoying vampire quickly butted in “Just let me finish her off, the wolf is going soft” He sent a quick glare my way flashing his fangs in triumph.

I ignored his remark, swooping the girl up. Her head rested at my chest looking exhausted. Eddy went over to the other girl and started hauling her over rather carelessly. She probably was injured we needed them somewhat in one piece.

The vampire noticed as swell and snorted “Careful of the merchandise Eddy. I blame you if she dies now.” Damion’s honeyed voice sliced through the room.

Andrew looked across the room at the fallen bodies a blank expression on his face. The bodies would soon be part of Eric’s ‘collection’ of shadow wraiths. By trapping the deceased’s soul he morphs them into wraiths where they then hunt down more souls for the collection.

“I'll get some warriors to come clean this.” Andrew spat walking out a back exit. Being in second command had its perks. Bummer he wasn't in the right mind.

“Idiots.” Damion hissed darting out into the night. No doubt already hunting down an innocent creature out of spite. He was just a bloodthirsty killer. Even I have boundaries I never crossed.

Looking down at the girl. Her blonde hair was tangled from the floor yet she still remained cold. Her power probably had something to do with that. For all I know she could always be cold.

Eric rubbed his hands together, opening a portal to the dreadful castle. “This will be such fun.” His cheery voice was still sharp leaving me stung.

I sighed, Eric could mess with my mind and do as he pleased. In the end we all were powerless to stop him. I shuddered remembered the task he had forced me do while controlled. It wasn't pretty. Instead of refusing the order I pictured my warm bed and stepped through the shadow portal calling over my shoulder “Eddy hurry your ass up!”

“Alright, alright. Justin, I swear you’re getting more bossy.” Eddy joked a playful grin on his face.

I closed my eyes exhaling slowly knowing full well that the castle would be waiting.

-Valerie’s Pov-

If waking up with ringing ears and the room spinning wasn't confusing enough. The scent made me want to bury my head in the sand. The smell of death and pine needles made me instantaneously realize that this wasn't my room. Or even my pack.

This was not my room. I repeated springing awake and staring in awe. The room was way bigger than the small bedroom of mine at the Packhouse. The red drapes against the black stone.. Except that wasn't stone. It was obsidian. Obsidian was rare and extremely valuable yet durable all the same. I had heard the stone was able to last for decades against all kinds of plunders. Who in their right mind had enough gold to spend on an obsidian room? I groaned rubbing my temples feeling as though the shadows stretching along the wall was watching me. I eyed it warily along with the strange room. Where in Goddesses name was I?

My clothes had been changed to a long nightgown which was rather comfortable. Perverts. I cursed jumping from the bed to the arched window drawing the velvet drapes back. I hissed as my eyes adjusted to the blinding morning light. The trees seemed to stretch on forever were all pine. Shocker, that explains the scent at least. The only thing in sight was a lake and what looked like a small town as smoke poured from a chimney curling out to the sky. I was in the middle of nowhere.

I quickly noted the obvious that this was a castle. A damned castle made out of obsidian blocks! From the stonework on the outer wall and the winding black pillars this thing was massive. If I peered down closely a ravine appeared which led to nothing but darkness. It looked as though the ravine surrounded the entire building meaning the castle was standing on a slab of earth. Giving the whole shadow vibe a whole new level of scariness.My fingers sizzled with ice on the windowsill as I drummed them in thought. Where was Vivian?

“So she really is alive huh?” A males sarcastic drawl had my back stiffen. I turned seeing the shadow dude and another male. I scented the air, determining him as another werewolf. He had longer black hair than the shadow dude and it seemed to be slightly in need of a trim as he ran a hand through it. What surprised me most was his startling sapphire eyes which drilled me in place. The werewolf gave me a coy smile as he assessed me.

Somehow I moved my gaze to the shadow dude, who had the decency to chuckle at my state.

“If you’re thinking of jumping don't bother Love. You would have a long fall before hitting the rocks at the bottom of The Divide.” He crossed his arms “What a shame that would be too.”

“The Divide?” I asked cautiously still unnerved.

“You know the giant ravine leading to the mine? Even my grandmother could see it and she is blind as a bat.” The sapphire eyed male snarked rolled his eyes at me in distaste.

“Thanks for the input.” I cut in icily eyeing the window. Maybe jumping to my death would be better than staying here.

“Pleasure to meet you.” The shadow dude bowed dramatically. “My name is Eric. My people call me King however.” He gestured to the sapphired eyed male once more. “This is Justin, my third in command. He is usually this bland so do excuse his attitude.”

“I don’t care” I stated shrugging my shoulders. “Lovely room you have here though...”

Eric gave me a sly grin “This is your room. Unless you would like to share?”

I huffed at his suggestion. Then remembered, “Where are my clothes.”

Justin glared at Eric. “I had a maid attend you, Although I am more than happy to help you change into something else.” He paused looking innocently at me.

“I’ll find Emma.” Justin frowned at Eric's attempt at flirting. I watched him leave the room suspiciously.

“Where is Vivian.” I demanded stalking up to Eric.

“Safe.” Eric’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “For now.”

“If you harm her I’ll kill you.” Realizing if he even harmed a hair on her head, I would.

“Empty threats won't get you anywhere here Love. We barter with blood and bone. You’re no murderer girl.” He sat down on a chair by the window trailing me with his eyes.

“I don't threat.” I spat frowning at the memory.

“Love, you surprised me the moment I saw what you were.” He replied calmly.

“I am a Beta werewolf from the Night Crescent Pack.” I growled forcing my voice to remain neutral.

“Such a shame they couldn't see your potential. Now tell me, did they know?” He questioned seemingly curious.

“Know what?” I faked looking puzzled.

Eric sighed as though bored, “Yet, you didn't use your magic. Love, with proper training you could be unstoppable.”

I mulled that over for a second. Hearing the door creak. Justin appeared with a small red headed girl peering over his shoulder. Her dark green eyes flickered in panic at the sight of Eric. “I hope you didn't spook her Eric.” Justin chided resting a hand on the girls shoulder.

“Just talking. Weren't we Love?” Eric pressed flashing his demonic grin once more.

“Don't call me that.” I hissed.

Eric snapped his head around glaring at me. “I can call you whatever I damn well please!”

“What would you like us to call you then?” Justin interrupted before Eric could continue.

I let out a sigh rubbing my temples. “Valerie.”

“Valerie and Vivian. Vivian and Valerie” Eric hummed in a singsong voice mimicking me. He stood up pausing in the doorway. “I think ‘Love’ suites you better darling.” He drawled on the ‘love’ part making sure I heard it. Seconds later he vanished from the room.

I rolled my eyes. Pervert.

“Showoff.” Justin hummed to himself. Quickly straightening his sword as if making sure it was still there. He scanned me up and down “Emma get Valerie some new clothes. Bring her to the training area after.”

“What kind of clothes?” The small redhead who I presumed was Emma questioned softly. Not making eye contact with Justin or I focusing on the floor..

“Why to the training room?” I butted in. “I am a prisoner, am I not?” I asked confused. This doesn't make sense. Why am I here?

“Valerie you are no prisoner. You are a recruit.” Justin grunted.

“So I can leave then?” I replied icily.

Emma paled soon finding the floor interesting as she scuffed her feet.

"We shall see.” Justin growled giving Emma a softer look before disappearing.

“Ugh he never answered me!” Emma exclaimed looking fearful.

“Just get me normal clothes. I can dry them myself if I need to.” I answered curtly. What was a sweet girl like Emma doing being here? Her freckled cheeks lifted into a smile.

“Okay. Can I call you Valerie?” She bit her lip shyly gathering clothes.

“Of course! May I ask how old you are?”

"Twelve.” Emma said while ruffling through clothes.

I shuddered. What was a twelve year old doing here?

“Here.” Emma handed over a set of clothes. “I heard from the guys that you were at the mating ball. Though, you don't look old enough to attend.” She looked me up and down in question. “Why were you at the ball?”

I laughed “No, I was on a mission. I’m only eighteen.” I paused taking the clothes, “thank you.”

“Oh, uh yeah. I’ll leave you to change” Emma stuttered bowing quickly before exiting.

I watched her scurry out the door. I threw on the new black leather outfit shrugging. Nothing new, nothing old. Might as well make the best of it right? I pushed open the door seeing Emma once more.

“Hurry. I don't want to get in trouble.” Emma started down the hall. Numerous doors lined the walls leading to gods knows where. Stained glass windows hung throughout the castle with lush drapes slung across. Damn this kid moved fast! Emma was already at the end if the hall. I sped up my pace.

We stopped at a door. Which appeared the same as all the other doors. “Is this it?” I asked curiously.

“Yup. Good luck.” She then skipped away.

I groaned banging my head on the door. I really don't want to do this. Contemplating the odds of escape by disobeying or following directions. The logical thing to do was to obey. I did the logical thing, I opened the door.