Chapter 1

A slave, that’s what he called me, what they all called me, his property to do with whatever he wished, and by definition he was right. He owned me.

It began with my ancestors something along the lines of my great great great grandfather owing the stupid warlock a favour and not having the means of paying the conventional way. So, he did what anyone would I suppose, he sold his daughter to him, signed a contract that would give my master full control over her and all her children, then her children’s children and so on. Until me.

But I had no intention of continuing that, no way would I have bare children just so he could use them until they either died of old age or he got them killed in his everlasting fight for power. Fuck that. Warlocks were immortal, the cycle would continue forever if I had children, they would be damned to repeat my pain, to suffer.

The full moon was in a few days, I just had to hold on, just a three more days and I would be free for the night, I could go where I want, leave his land for 12 hours. I could be alone. I guess that was a perk of being a wolf, he couldn’t control me when I shifted, couldn’t make me bow with his magic, I was stronger with Nyx, my alter form, she was brave, fearless, and took no ones shit. Me? I was shy and I only spoke when I had no choice, I guess my bravery was beaten out of me a long time ago.

Balthazar was brutal if you pissed him off, he never thought twice about making someone pay, and betrayal? You would beg for death when he was done with you, no one betrayed him, not even other warlocks. They knew he was powerful, knew he could beat them with a flick of his wrist.

I stood in front of the small mirror in the only bathroom I was permitted the use in the basement, a tiny room that held a corner bath, toilet, mirror and sink. That was it. But then again, that’s all I needed. I was pale, my skin barely getting enough sun, I suppose it was hard to tan when you were only permitted to step outside after the moon had risen. My hair was a bright and beautiful red that cascaded in waves down my spine until it reached my bum, my hazel eyes having specks of the same crimson. My cheeks lined in freckles.

I was slim, slimmer than the other slaves, but I never had an appetite, how could I? All I saw day after day was pain and suffering. That’s all I knew. I shook away the thoughts that plagues me, mainly ones of escape, but that was stupid, I had tried escaping more times than I could count, they all ended the same way, me brought back to him, kicking and screaming, until eventually, I was gifted with the studded collar that was round my neck even now.

I couldn’t never take it off, if I tried it would surge an electric current through my body, one so painful I would pass out and he would know instantly. It was the same if I tried to leave the land when it wasn’t a full moon, then, he would track me down, bring me back and I would pay for thinking I could be free of him.

Nyx stirs within me, uncomfortable at the thought of trying to escape, even as fearless and brave as she was, he still scared her. We knew better than anyone why he was capable of.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be trying that again, I don’t like it either when he hurts us.” I whisper low enough that the others down here down hear me, they already think I’m weird, that I don’t belong.

They are right. I don’t.

But it isn’t like I have a choice.

I sigh, I don’t want to go out there, I don’t want to face the day, but even as I ponder it there is a knock on the bathroom door, the soft voice of Margret pouring through. “Annalise? Are you in there dear?”

Forcing my best smile, I walk towards the door and open it, Margret is the oldest wolf here, her hair greying with age, and her eyes soft. “Sorry Margret, did you need something?” I ask sweetly.

She shakes her head, “Not me. Master Balthazar is looking for you.”

My smile drops, fuck what have I done now? I wonder as I nod my response, sidestepping around her, I like Margret, she was the only one who had ever been nice to me after my parents were killed, the only one who helped me through the grief of losing them both. I appreciated that, every time she cleaned the lashes across my back, every time she stitched a fresh wound.

She didn’t deserve to be here.

Though, I suppose no one does. Not really.

I look down at the grey knee length cotton dress, making sure that it’s neat, that I look presentable, the long sleeves reaching just past my knuckles and the simple material masking the slight curves I had. The basement was massive, though I suppose it had to be, especially with fifty of us living down here, their was a small kitchen area with two cookers and four fridges and three chest freezers. We weren’t allowed to cook upstairs. Nor eat with our master.

The rest of the space except for the six bathrooms were coated in small cot-like beds, small and thin mattresses the only comfort we were allowed. I turn my attention towards the stairs, ignoring the others as they prepared for another day, chattering away trying to forget what would happen once their left the small safety of the slaves basement.

I took a long breath, trying to calm my erratic heart as it pounded against my rib cage, quickly tying my hair back into a simple bun. But panic still consumed me, and Nyx shifted nervously, this was one of the times I wish she could speak, that she could give me some advice. But she was a wolf after all, she couldn’t speak, but I could.

Yet, I knew her every emotion, and she did mine, that at least, was some comfort.

Folding my hands neatly in front of me, I walk up the twenty-seven steps to the first floor, gently knocking on the door to let the guards on the other side know I am there. I hear the lock click, and without looking at those who unlocked it, I bow  my head; the punishment for wandering eyes in more severe than you might think.