Chapter 2

I heard a shrill voice yelling as she stomped to my cell, “You are not allowed to see the doctor. I don’t care how bad your injuries are. You are only to use the first aid kit in the kitchen.” I bowed my head, “Yes Luna.” She sneered, “Since you have that cast on your hand now, you will stay down here and I will make sure you never forget this lesson.” I gasped, “I’m sorry, Luna. I didn’t know.” She snapped, “Well, now you do. That doesn’t mean you are getting away with it.” She grabbed my good wrist and took me to a room that reeked of death, blood and urine. There were chains hanging from the ceiling, a steel table that had drain holes along the edges, and a chair that had handcuffs and shackles attached to it. The chair was way too big to fit me in it, so that made me feel a little better.

That relief was short lived when she put handcuffs on my good hand and hung me by one hand just high enough to keep my feet from touching the floor. Before I knew it, I was feeling my back being ripped to shreds. Between each crack of the whip, she would call me names such as worthless, runt, ugly, and useless bitch. When it was done, she took me off the chain and I collapsed to the floor and everything went dark. I woke up in my cell, face down on my cot, with no shirt on. I tried to sit up and nearly shrieked in pain. I heard Doctor Miller, “Hold still, child. She used a silver claw whip on your tiny little back. Gabrielle snuck me down here.” I cried quietly, “She’s going to do this every day until my wrist is better.” He asked, “Why?” I replied, “Because I wasn’t supposed to see the doctor for my wrist. I’m only allowed to use the first aid kit in the kitchen.” He sighed, “Okay. I will make sure that first aid kit is stocked and put some extra stuff in it. Where is your room?” I answered, “It’s in the attic. Gabrielle knows where it is.” He gasped, “The attic?” I nodded. He added, “I’m going to put some medicines and other supplies under your bed too. When she lets you out of here, Gabrielle will be able to help you take care of your injuries. I’m putting some protein bars under your mattress in your bed and in here. If Luna doesn’t feed you, I want you to eat one of these. Just put the wrapper back under your mattress. Okay?’ I nodded, “Thank you, Doctor Miller.” He wiped my tears for me and I could see a tear fall from his eyes. He kissed my forehead then moved my hair out of my face, “I’m so sorry this is happening to you. I will try to come back later.” I nodded as he left.

I tried to stay awake, but the pain was so bad, I couldn’t stay conscious. Everything went black once again. Before I knew it, Luna Kate was back and slapping my back. I jerked awake and looked at her, holding back my screams and tears. She growled, “Your food is on that stool. Eat.” I sat up and looked at the tray. It was a peanut butter sandwich and a carton of milk. I opened the sandwich and found a razor blade under the bread. I looked up at Luna Kate and she sneered, “You don’t trust me?” I replied, “I was looking to see if it had jelly on it. I don’t like jelly.” I removed the blade and took a bite of the sandwich. I opened the carton of milk and smelled it. It didn’t smell bad, so I took a sip. I finished the sandwich and the milk and stood with my head bowed. She took the tray and turned to walk out of my cell. She turned to me, “Get sleep while you can, runt. You have two days until doc takes that cast off and you will start your chores again.” She walked out of the dungeons and let the door slam shut.

I sat back down on my bed and realized I didn’t have another shirt to put on. I was cold, but it hurt to put that blanket on my back. I knew laying on my back was going to hurt too, so I laid on my side and tried to keep the blanket off my back, but I covered the rest of me. I really hoped she wouldn’t come back to whip me again. I didn’t know if I could take any more of it. It hurt so bad. The silver claws on the whip took chunks of flesh out of my back and it was not healing like it should.

As I laid there shaking from being cold and from the pain, I fell into a deep sleep. As soon as I was out, I saw a bright white light and knew it was the Moon Goddess. I smiled, “Hi! I’m so happy to see you. Are you here to take me out of this?” Selene lowered her gaze, “I’m sorry, child. I know you are hurting and you are so strong. I do not want to take you out of this. All of these trials are needed for your future. I’m very sorry. I can promise that I will strengthen you so that you can continue to endure it. If you will continue to endure the trials, you will be rewarded greatly.” I asked, “How long will this go on?” She sighed, “I’m sorry. I can not tell you that.” I asked, “Can you at least heal my back a little bit so that I can cover up with the blanket to stay warm?” She laid her hand on my back and shed a tear as she looked at my injuries. The tear landed on my back and skin formed over the open areas. She explained, “The Luna will probably whip you again if you don’t continue acting like you are still hurting.” I sighed, “I understand.” She smiled, “You are so calm. Your parents did a very good job raising you.” I cried, “They didn’t get to finish.”

The Moon Goddess placed her hand on my shoulder, “It’s okay, child.  I will be here for you. You only need to call on me. Just know that I will not appear in front of anyone else, unless it’s an emergency. If Luna is on the verge of killing you, I will appear only to you to help you get through it. Do you know how to mind link?” I nodded, “I do. My mom taught me.” She smiled sweetly, “Good job.” She produced a dagger and placed a cut on her hand, “I, Selene, The Moon Goddess, invite you, Isabel Claw, offer you a permanent link to my mind.” She held out her hand and I placed mine, palm up, for her to cut my hand. She placed the cut on my palm, then I turned my hand over to let our blood mix. I immediately felt a wave of warmth flow through me. I smiled as she promised, “All you have to do is send me a mind link when you need me. If you tell me you are cold, I will send some of my warmth to you through the link. If you need help getting through another beating, call me through the mind link. I can’t stop it, but I can take some of the pain.” I sighed in relief, “Thank you.” She kissed my forehead and tucked me in like a mother should, “Sleep, child. You should be able to rest easy for the rest of the night. You only have two days left before the doctor will come to take your cast off and you will have to go back to work. I will be with you, no matter what.” I yawned, “Goodnight, Moon Goddess.” She chuckled, “Goodnight, child.”

I slept so well, I almost didn’t hear the door to the dungeons open and shut. I heard heavy footsteps and gasped when I heard his voice, “So you think you can have me removed by the council?” I furrowed my brows and asked, “I’m sorry, Alpha, I don’t know what you are speaking of.” He opened the door and smacked me so hard that I fell to the side. I refused to cry, so I just sat up, keeping my gaze low. He continued growling, “I have the council coming to question me about you.” I responded, “If you can keep from putting more bruises on me, I will talk with them when they get here and tell them you treat me well.” He asked, “What is your trick?” I shook my head, “No trick. I just don’t want more trouble. That’s all.” He chuckled, “You are smart for such a small kid.” I answered, “My parents started teaching me things as soon as I was able to understand. I’ve been reading since I was three.” He nodded in understanding, “If they speak with you, you will tell them that we treat you well. I do not know when they will be here.”

He turned and walked back out of the dungeons.