When you’re a child, you come to fear the shadows for the monsters that lurk beneath them, but it’s the evil that walks among us that you should fear.
I was never afraid of the dark growing up, knowing all too well that it was in the light that monsters came to visit.
Apart from a handful of supes, there was nothing but vile creatures in King’s Tower. Unlike the demons and underlings who wore their horns and skins proudly, King and his followers hid behind sharp suits and pleasant smiles. Their cruel natures never far from the surface, reach out to lure the unsuspected innocent in.
In King’s Tower, I had to be careful who I surrounded myself with. I learned early on the meaning of true friends, having left the only ones I ever knew behind.
The word “friends” and the guys no longer had the same meaning. Especially after the other night. Each kiss seared into my body and mind, making it hard to forget about them. The thought of them alone sends my pulse racing and makes my body sensitive to even the smallest touch.
Where the hell did they learn to kiss like that?
I shake my head, not willing to let my thoughts go there. I had to put them all behind me.
It’s for the best, for us all.
Focusing on Alana and getting out of here needs to be my priority and not my messed-up hormones.
Alana.
My once heated body, not moments ago, turns cold as thoughts turn to Alana.
King only allows me to see her once a week. The rest of the time, she’s hidden some place I can never seem to find. Though, it’s not from lack of trying.
Over the years I’ve searched the hotel in its entirety, coming across hidden nooks and hideouts, but she was nowhere to be found.
King either was aware of my searches and moved her around or took her someplace else between our visits.
Either way, the plan was all I had left to get her out of here.
As I make my way down the corridor, I grip the fabric of my thick jumper to make sure the food and ointment concealed inside was still there.
My hands shake, remembering the last visit with her a couple of weeks ago. Her bones were visible through the filthy rags she wore, her face gaunt and pale. King had taken away her food as a punishment for me disobeying his latest orders.
I had intervened when one of his lackeys decided to take his foul temper out on an innocent bystander, knowing and accepting that I would be punished.
Instead, he had given my punishment to Alana, something that hurt far more than the slice of a blade or sharp crack of a whip as it flays my skin open.
I would heal, as always, but I couldn’t share my curse with others. My healing abilities only extend to myself.
Alana had suffered again because of another one of my foolish mistakes.
The guilt clawed at my throat, choking the breath from my lungs.
Pausing for a moment, I lean against the wall, trying to gasp down some stagnant air.
Shaking my head, I dig my nails into my hands.
Now was not the time to break down. Alana needs me to be strong. Now more than ever. We were so close. Just a little while longer and we would be free.
I focus on the near future, seeing the hope of light in the dark tunnel, and finally pull myself out of the pit of despair trying to hold me down.
Shaking off the last of my turbulent emotions, I make my way through the maze of halls, and toward the room where they allow my brief visits with Alana. Every minute and moment are cherished, but it’s never enough.
“Did you hear about the missing vampire?”
I release a heavy sigh hearing Jared, the sorry excuse for a vampire and his cronies. Their model physiques and killer smiles tell you nothing of their ruthless nature.
Jared narrows his dark eyes on me, a glint of danger shadowing his features.
Apparently, self-preservation isn’t my thing as I continue forward.
Jared deals in drugs and blood. His products sell well across the city. Or at least, that’s what I’ve heard.
I’ve snuck into his vile apartment many times to steal a couple of his products for witches who want to pull off some dark spells. It’s earned me a nice few trades, helping me get that bit closer to the end goal. It also helped me get a nice stash for other little potions I need from Jazmyn.
The vampire girl gets up, blocking my exit. She moves closer, forcing me to take a step back and into Jared.
“Just a little taste,” the psycho coos.
“Little? I want to drain her dry,” Jared says to her, his eyes roaming my body.
“Back. Off.” I feign being fearless.
Jared’s smirk turns up a notch. “I bet she tastes as good as that fiery temper.”
“The fighters always do,” Creeper agrees, reaching out to grab my arm. I jerk back forgetting about Jared. His cruel chuckle hits my ears along with his cold breath.
The psycho steps forward, a glint of darkness in her eyes as she zeros in on the rapid pulse in my neck.
Fuck. She was going to bite me. I hated when they drained me dry, feeling so weak with how exhausted I’d get. But damn them if they thought I would go down without a fight.
I clench my fists ready to fight my way out when a dark voice full of menace surrounds us.
“Touch her and I’ll make sure you stay dead.” Kane, a demon walks down the hall towards us.
My tense body slightly relaxes, knowing I have a powerful ally on my side.
Kane is not someone you want to piss off. A higher demon, with a shitload of power and connections and who most of King’s associates listen to.
“Come on Kane, she’s a tease and you know it. Someone needs to show her, her place.”
“And I’m guessing, you’re the one who’ll show her?”
“Well—”
Kane’s eyes flash a crimson red, his skin shifting just under the surface.
“If I see you sniffing around her again, I’ll personally make sure you remember the smell of your charred flesh when I flay it off you.”
Jared blanches at Kane’s threat, narrowing his eyes at me before heading in the opposite direction with his pissed off companion.
Kane relaxes, his demon retreating, showing his deep dark onyx eyes as they focus on me.
“I heard you met with the five alphas of Manhattan?”
I did more than meet with them, but I wasn’t going to tell Kane that. A flash of heat hits me as I remember the feel of their talented hands and mouths against my skin. Shaking off the haze of lust trying to take over, I focus back on Kane.
“Something like that.”
“Just be careful. Kai isn’t what he seems.” He frowns crossing his arms.
At the mention of Kai, I pause. “What do you mean?”
“He’s not just a hound of hell. He’s… more.”
“Subtle doesn’t look good on you. Spit it out.” I raise a brow.
Kane shakes his head at me, a small tilt to his lips. “He’s a direct descendant of Cerberus.”
I gape at him, the shock hitting me like a physical force. “The original hound of hell?”
“Exactly.”
How did I not know about this? Why didn’t he tell me?
I guess it made sense in a way. He was always able to make the others listen to him, even though they were all alphas too.
A descendant of the guardians of the gates of hell.
That was… a mindfuck. I’d heard of myths about a few of his descendants. They were dangerous, dark and something you never wanted to cross.
But this was Kai we were talking about. The same Kai who used to sneak into my room and stand guard at my door for wandering spirits.
Another thing that now makes sense.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.” No matter how many years had passed between us, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he, nor the others, would ever hurt me. Not like that.
Kane releases a harsh breath. “Just… Keep your guard up.”
“I will.” I promise him but not for the reason he thinks. I needed to keep away from them; I needed to protect my heart.
“Go on. You don’t want to be late for your appointment.” Kane gives me a no nonsense look, tilting his head in the opposite direction the vamps went.
Kane doesn’t know about King’s little sessions or the setup with Alana, he thinks what King wants everyone to think. Only King’s oldest and closest guards know what really goes on in that room and I’d prefer it that way. I see too much pity from the kind-hearted demon to ever want him to know the truth.
I nod a thanks to Kane, turning to go when he calls out.
“Jaz wants to see you later at the club. I’ll be working tonight.”
I give him a small smile before hurrying down the hall, an excited pep in my step. Jazmyn must have found the contact we needed for the last piece of the spell. It was finally all coming together.
My good mood plummets when I come around the corner and spot Marcus on the door today. My least favourite of all King’s guard dogs. He’s a jaguar shifter who enjoys joining in on King’s sessions the most. The glint of sick satisfaction each time I reluctantly cry out or moan when the pain gets to be too much has shown me just how depraved of a creature he really is.
“There’s that fiery temptress I adore to play with.”
He takes a step to the side, waving me forward. I hesitate before straightening my back, not letting him get the better of me, and walk to the door.
Just as I reach for the handle, I feel his stale breath reach the back of my neck, “Soon, my little temptress.”
Before thinking about it, I grip my fist, forcing my elbow upward with as much strength as possible. His foul breath leaves me as he drops to the floor behind me.
Grabbing the handle, I yank it open and rush inside the small room, his raspy chuckle following me inside.
“Kiarra? Kiarra, is that you?” My heart constricts at the small, weak voice that calls out.
“It’s me, Alana.”
I find the owner of the small voice on the floor in the empty room.
I can see the goosebumps on her arms, her frail body and light rags not giving her much warmth.
Going straight to her, Alana pulls me into a hug, my arms wrapping around her with plenty of space.
I pull back, giving her a watery smile. I would not cry, not in front of her. She needed me to be strong.
“Has he been starving you again?” I grip the fabric of my top, imagining King’s head as I twist it.
How has she survived this long? She’s barely skin and bone. The thought of her no longer around sends me spiralling into the darkness.
No. You can’t do this. Not here. Alana needs you.
Focus on…
Something you can feel.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I rub the fabric between my fingers, rolling the soft woolly loops of texture back and forth.
Something you can smell.
Keeping my eyes shut, I take a deep breath smelling the slight floral smell that is Alana. The slight tremors in my body recede and stop.
Something you can see.
Opening my eyes, I focus on Alana, and her shy smile as she shrugs her gaunt shoulders. The darkness flickers as it struggles to hold on.
Something you can hear.
“I…” She shakes her head, not finishing her sentence.
“Alana?” My voice sounds raspy, but strong.
I can do this.
She gives me a sad smile. “King let it slip about the new agreement he made.”
As if remembering something, she reaches up to a large nasty purple bruise on the side of her jaw.
“Did he do that to you?” Rage bubbles inside me, clearing some of the shadows, and giving way to a hazy red.
She looks down, playing with the hem of her sleeves. “I… I shouldn’t have asked about you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Something you can taste.
I bite down on my tongue hard enough to taste blood. The salty metal aftertaste, releases me from the nightmare of my internal thoughts and ending the panic attack and the last of its hold on me.
My hopelessness and pain turn into rage, finding its true target…
King.
She reaches out a cold, shaky hand and grasps mine. I clasp it, hoping some of my body heat will warm her up.
“I’m so sorry you had to do that. I’m not worth it.”
I try to breathe through my anger, knowing it won’t help Alana or me right now and I’d just be wasting our time together.
“You’re worth so much more.”
She shakes her head vehemently. “No, I’m getting old and have little left in me.”
“Don’t say that! We’ll get out of here.”
“Kiarra, you’re young. Get out and live your life and not worry about an old woman like me.”
“We will get out of here.” I look at Alana desperately pleading with her to trust me, but she’s too lost in her own hopelessness. I need to give her something to hold on to. I quickly check around before whipping out the small, round purple ball and squeezing it between my fingers. A pink smoke seeps and disperses around us. Alana tries to pull away from it, but I pull her back. The spell needs us to be close for it to work.
“Wha… what was that?” Her frightened gaze follows the pink smoke warily. I pull both her hands into mine, squeezing softly.
“It’s okay, it’s just a small spell bomb. It only lasts a couple of minutes. They won’t be able to hear us.”
Her shoulders drop in relief.
“Listen, I might have figured a way out for us both.”
I know I made the right decision telling her when I see a slight glimmer of hope and excitement in her eyes.
“Truly? You found a way out for us? Both? I’m not leaving here without you Kiarra.”
My eyes burn as warm tears threaten to fall.
“Yes, for us both,” I rasp out.
“Oh Kiarra.” Her happy smile lights me up on the inside as she reaches out to hug me. Her frail body feels weightless as I hold her tight, not wanting to let go but knowing our time will be up soon.
Reluctantly, I pull back and grab the items from the concealed pockets in my jumper.
“Here, I grabbed what I could.”
I hand her the bag of chips and water. She reaches out to them tentatively, a small smile on her lips. “I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
“You won’t, please, take them.”
She grips the bottle of water like a lifeline. My heart breaks when I see her try and fail to open the lid. I quickly open it, helping her take small sips.
I swiftly wipe away a lone tear, opening up the healing ointment and get to work on any visible bruises and cuts. After a couple of minutes, I have them all covered. There’s a dark bruise above her right eye that looks nasty. I apply an extra layer just in case.
Finishing up, I hand her the last of the ointment, telling her to hide it along with the small stash of food.
“Thank you Kiarra, you’re too good to me.”
“I wish I could do more.”
“You do enough, and we’ll be together soon, right?” The glimmer of hope returns to her eyes, awaiting my reply.
“I promise.”
She gives me a warm smile, reaching out to embrace me once more. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”
If only that were true.
A loud banging interrupts our moment, bringing me back to reality. “Time’s up.”
“Soon,” I promise her placing my finger on my lips, silently asking her to keep quiet. She nods her head, a determined look in her eyes.
“I love you, little one.”
“I love you too, Alana. Stay safe.”
I give her one last look, trying to remember every little feature before I make my way to Marcus’s replacement.
A new minion has taken his place. One I’m not familiar with. He must be new. King likes to take on fresh blood every now and again, especially when he’s killed off too many of his recruits for the smallest infractions.
The newbie dips his head in acknowledgment as I pass him, no sneer in place. It shocks me silent causing me to frown.
“Is everything alright?”
My frown deepens, waiting on the snide remark or cruel comment telling me he’s joking, but it never comes. He continues to stare at me, his own frown forming.
I clear my throat, testing what commands King gave him.
“I’ll be heading back to my room. I don’t require an escort.”
He backs off immediately, informing me of how little King has told him and how new he must be. But I’m sure the other vile guards will catch him up to speed soon enough.
“Of course. Enjoy the rest of your day, Miss Valdis.”
I shudder at the guard’s form of respect.
I was no more a Valdis than I was human.
Valdis was King’s last name, not mine.
Never mine.
I eye the new guard and his niceties with suspicion as I make my way past him. He waits until I’m out of view before heading in the opposite direction.
Most supes on King’s payroll haven’t a decent bone in their body.
Once I’m inside my suite, I lock the bolts in place and redraw the protective barrier.
Making my way into my room, I strip out of my baggy clothes and head for the shower. My thoughts drift back to the guys once again. Their presence here was dragging up unwanted feelings and how much they reminded me of a better time.
One where I was happy and surrounded by people who loved and cared about me.
One where I had a family.
Mom.
Seeing Alana today reminded me of her and how happy she always made me feel. She would be so disappointed in me if she saw me now.
I had let Alana’s beatings go on too long. I stole from the supes and people who lived and came to King’s Tower and club. I lie to everyone around me.
When does it all end? When do I stop pretending and start being me?
Whoever that was.
I was tired. That deep ache in your bones telling you, you need to rest. I was so tired of everyone and everything trying to chip away at what was left of me.
Closing my eyes, I let the warm water flow down my face to join my treacherous tears. I give myself another moment to let my pity party pass before pulling myself together and focusing on what needs to be done.
Getting out of the shower, I quickly dry myself off and walk into my closet, wincing at most of the clothes in here.
Apart from the small pile to the left, everything in here was bought by King.
I was just a pretty face he liked to use to keep clients happy.
I pick up a short black dress with a wrapped front only revealing a small triangle on my stomach. I frown, turning it around. The back exposes way too much for my liking, but it’s the most modest of the bunch.
Without thinking too much about it, I throw it on and get started on my makeup and hair.
After an hour of primping, I had long, dark, wavy curls framing the sultry look I was going for. Adding a pair of black heels, I was ready to go.
Pulling at the tiny dress once more, I take a deep breath, preparing myself for tonight and letting my mind forget about everything today to focus on tonight.
I stare back at the unrecognisable girl in the mirror. Everything about her was made to tempt and tease. It wasn’t until you looked in her eyes did you get a glimpse of the sad truth.
I shake off my forlorn thoughts and place a sultry smile on my lips. I’d only have to play the part of King’s puppet for just a little while longer.
Tonight, was the night it all finally came together. A last meeting with my contact and Alana and I’d be one step closer to getting out of here.
Finally, we’d be free and, most importantly, together.
