Chapter 2

Ava's pov

Whilst I had been observing my house the warrior had called out my name twice and I didn't hear him. All the villagers were looking at me eyes wide, whispers could be heard as they all feared for her safely

Turning I locked eyes with the warrior, his gaze was piercing. His eyes were cold, expression unreadable but promised trouble.

“I called your name twice,” he said, bearing his fangs.

I stepped forward, steps slow and unhurried. I refuse to be intimidated. I held his gaze, no remorse or apology, if something bad was going to happen it would happen on my own terms.

“Ava Sinclair, I said I called your name twice.” He repeated, his voice low as if he was daring me to challenge him.

“And now I've heard it.” I retorted, keeping my voice steady even though my heart was pounding. I will never be weak before them.

Collective gasp could be heard. The warrior took a step towards me and I heard the villagers behind me take a step back.

I will not be intimidated, I will not move, I will not bow. I chanted in my head.

Now he was directly in my path, he towered over my 5”4 figure. He grasped my chin tightly in his hand, his claws dug into my face, I tried my best not to wince.

“Listen to me human,” he said in a low dangerous tone.”It will take me the littlest of effort to rip your weak body into pieces. You're lucky the king says that you guys are not to be severely harmed when brought in.”

He shifted his grip to my neck then began to strangle me.

I can't breathe…please. I wanted to say but I will not, I will not give him that satisfaction.

His grip tightened further upon seeing the defiance in my eyes. Spots began dancing at the edges of my vision.

“Please!” I heard a voice shout. “Please let her go, please. I apologize, we apologize, she's sorry, it won't happen again.” The voice continued to beg.

I could suddenly breathe again as he released me and threw me on the icy ground. I hit the ground hard sending shockwaves through my body. Gasping and coughing,I grab my neck, heaving desperately for air, each breath a painful victory.

I felt hands gently tapping my back and I turned and I saw my mother and father on their knees beside me. They had been begging, I curled my hand into a fist, nails digging into my palm at the fact that they had shown those bastards weakness.

“Let this serve as a lesson to you all,” the bastard warrior said with a slight victorious smirk that I desperately wanted to smack off his face. “The next time any of you try to be defiant I won't be so kind. Note, the king said ‘they shouldn't be severely harmed’ not ‘they shouldn't be harmed at all’.”

“Please don't dare them, Ava.” My mom whispered in my ear giving me a look that said not to try anything. I gave her a nod in response, I won't try anything…yet.

My parents helped me to stand up before giving me one last look of warning then walked back to join the other villagers.

The warriors ordered us to form a line, I spotted Sylvia and stood next to her. They began to bind our hands with a connecting rope.

“Are you okay?” She asked in a barely audible voice.

“I'm fine, don't worry.” I said, offering a small smile to reassure her.

She still looked uncertain, her gaze moved to my neck lingering for a moment, her eyes were filled with concern. She looked for a minute before she turned to face the front, least a pissy warrior spots her and yells at her.

Our parents brought out our luggage — little sacks filled with little clothing and valuables we could all afford, and handed them over to the warriors.

The warrior got to me and secured the rope tightly on my wrists.

I'm sure it's going to bruise… I thought to myself because I could feel it digging into my skin.

In a couple of minutes he was done binding all our hands likewise our parents were done loading up our things. They began ushering us into the carriage.

We were all cramped in the carriage, it was too small for all of us but no one dared to complain.

The pearl pendant was cool against my chest, nestled underneath my coat. I'm glad my dad insisted that I take it. Reaching up, I grasped the pendant and held it for a bit then turned sparing one last glance at my parents before the door shut welcoming us into darkness in the little carriage.

I felt Sylvia’s hand in mine as I dropped my hands from my necklace. She was the last bit of home I had. Sylvia was an only child, her parents had struggled for years before they had her, they sheltered and cared for her like a precious gem. She couldn't being to imagine how they were feeling right now, their daughter was being forced into an unknown fate which they didn't know whether or not she was going to survive.

She cursed them deep in her heart, they were making all of them leave their home and dreams behind to become their slaves which they called ‘servants’. The pained expressions on the faces of her parents will forever be etched into her mind, they had lost their son and are now scared of losing their daughter.

The warriors yelled outside the carriage and we started to move. As the carriage jolted forward it seemed to finally dawn on the others that their lives as they knew it was about to change completely, muffled sobs echoed around me, I heard Sylvia sniffle behind me.

“Ava.”

A voice suddenly whispered, I turned to Sylvia but she was too occupied with her tears. I shook it off as nothing and focused on the journey ahead.

This was it.

We have been selected…