8: Prisoner

Vee’s POV

I stirred, burying my face deeper into what had to be the softest pillow ever made. I haven’t slept this good in years.

I don’t know how the firm bed and soft pillow came about, right about now I would not even question it. Entire body ached and I just needed to sleep. Recharge and plan my next action.

When morning comes I can try escaping again but for now….

A roaring sound echoed outside.

Was red eyed monster back? If so we were fucked. Fear raced down my spine and as goosebumps flooded my skin.

My eyelid immediately flew open.

It was too dark and I had no idea where I was. But it had to be a bedroom and hence there had to be light somewhere.

When the roaring came again, though very distant this time, I panicked, rolling off the bed and banging my head against a wooden surface before hitting the ground.

I cursed under my breath as I touched my forehead. That was sure to leave a bruise. But I would worry about that later.

I felt the bedside table until my hand touched a lamp and I turned it on. The light was able to brighten the room enough for me to find the light switch and flip it on.

Golden rays from the chandelier bathed the luxurious bedroom. I worked in a five star hotel and I thought I had seen luxurious bedrooms, but this was something else altogether.

This bedroom was a masterpiece of luxury – plush velvet drapes cascaded from towering windows, diffusing the golden glow of a crystal chandelier. A massive four poster bed, draped in silk and adorned with embroidered pillows commanded the space. The bed was big enough to contain four adults comfortably. Nothing like the tiny bed I shared with Vera.

Everything from the hand woven Persian rug to the mahogany furnishings and the subtle hint of jasmine that lingered in the air whispered effortless wealth.

Little wonder they could afford that expensive pearl thingy Vera stole….Vera.

I raced to the large window and slightly opened the curtains and peered out the window. But it was completely dark outside, there was no moon either. But I could make out the tall trees - I squinted - and dark shadows marching around. Security, I guess.

But they would be no good if the beast returned. The picture of the shredded men in the forest flashed in my mind. There had been so much blood….If it weren’t for that green-eyed man, I would probably be dead too.

I had to get away from here. From all this craziness. Vera would be looking for me. I hope she doesn’t think I took the pearl and ran away, abandoning her to her own fate.

I hurried to the door and tried to yank it open, but it wouldn’t budge.

I had been locked in!

Those bastards!

I slammed the door several times, screaming, “Let me out of here!”

I banged at the door until my hands ached and my shoulder felt sore. “Please let me out,” I cried as I slumped to the floor, curling into a ball.

Everything sucked. My life sucked. This situation sucked.

Who were these people and what do they want from me? They could have just taken me to the police for thieving the weird bulb, instead they brought me here to die by firing squad.

Then they treat me and now I’m locked in with no explanation whatsoever.

Just then, the click sound of the door as it unlocked. I scrambled away from the door and grabbed the closest thing I could find for a weapon. A candle holder.

The door fell open and the green eyed stranger strolled in, looking livid. My eyes strolled down his body. He was shirtless, exposing his muscled body. It was like the gods had carefully molded him, paying special attention to his muscles.

And his weird tattoo, that covered most of his chest.

I felt a tickling sensation at the back of my chest, like a silent hum. A need to reach out to him.... I quickly peeled my eyes away from him.

“Put that down,” he growled.

I curled my finger tighter around the candle holder. “Not until you tell me what the fuck you people want from me,” I snapped back.

He lunged at me before I could react, he already pried the candle holder from my hand and I found myself on the ground with my back pressed against the wall.

“Your kind do not understand the concept of obedience and I would be more than happy to teach you. The hard way.”

The hate in his eyes was almost palpable. If he hated me so much, then why did he save me? Twice.

I forced myself to my feet, ignoring the pain rippling through my body. “You got your stuff back, just let me go,” I said.

He scoffed. “You think I would let you go after you dared to steal for me! Even after you were paid for your services?”

What services was he talking about? “I am not a thief and…”

He slammed his fist into the wall and the place he punched, caved leaving a hole in the pristine wall.

"So my pearl magically disappeared into your purse?"

I pressed my eyes shut. I could not defend myself, because telling the truth meant exposing my sister and God knows what these people would do Vera.

I had to protect Vera.

“Just let me go. Please,” I said weakly.

“That will never happen. And if you keep yelling, I will take you back to the woods and leave you there for the beast!"

The look in his eyes told me he wasn’t bluffing. “You can't keep me here. I am not your prisoner!”

He chuckled dryly and pulled out a pen knife from the back pocket of his faded jean.

Panic rose in my chest. I tried to move away but he grabbed my wrist and held on firmly.

“You are my prisoner Vee.”

He slashed my wrist.