Selena
There was only one moment in my life I had honestly felt safe. With Varick's arms around me, his mouth against mine, promising me something with his kiss that I couldn't quite grasp. But I knew it meant everything. I knew it was worth risking the world for. Even though there was every chance I'd find him in that castle as nothing more than the monster I'd once feared he was. If the Helsings were punishing him, they'd have no mercy. And I didn't know what would be left of the man I was just starting to know.
As we sailed into the polar night and the sun was left far behind, Ulvic took me through the plan. Whilst he handed me over to the Helsings, Mekiah and Reason would remain hidden on the boat. During our distraction, they'd sneak into the castle and release their Alpha and Varick, before coming for me. Ulvic would meet us at the boat, and if it all went to hell, he had plenty of weapons to make a stand.
“And when am I going to get a hold of one of these weapons?” I asked, turning his crossbow over in my hands. I was still uneasy about the fact I'd be going in unarmed. But, deep down, I knew Ulvic's plan made sense. The Helsings couldn't know he was helping me.
“You'll get your chance if needed,” he said, looking thoughtful as he rested his hand on the control desk.
I placed the crossbow down beside his bag. “Good,” I said simply, strolling out onto the deck.
Mekiah spun around and Reason glanced over her shoulder, looking at ease, her hair floating around her in the breeze.
The day was long and the further we sailed on, the more anxious I grew. I spent the time practicing my aim with Ulvic's weapons, but nothing I did made me feel much more confident.
When Raskdød loomed on the horizon, my bones turned to ice. I was numb, gazing at it, recognising the lighthouse on the western shore. We arced around the southern coast until the castle loomed on the eastern cliff: a giant square with an imposing tower on every corner. It looked cold and unwelcoming. The moonlight on the grey-brown stones illuminated the fortress, so the world seemed to pale around it.
Reason touched my arm, offering me a smile of comfort, evidently sensing my nerves.
“Why aren't you afraid?” I whispered, her serene expression so out of place near this island.
“Because my Alpha needs me. And if I die saving him, it will be a good death.”
I nodded slowly, not really understanding. As we sailed into the bay, Ulvic called us into the cabin, tying my wrists behind my back with a coarse piece of rope. When he was done, he opened the toilet door and pointed at the small room.
“In,” he ordered Mekiah and Reason.
Instead of complaining about the tiny space, they moved on his command, squashed up against each other.
“Wait at least twenty minutes before you move,” Ulvic commanded.
“I know what to do,” Mekiah growled and Ulvic gave a stiff nod before shutting the door and returning to the helm.
Ulvic steered the catamaran into the bay, pulling up beside the long pier so it rocked and swayed. He led me from the cabin, guiding me to the edge of the boat where we stepped down onto the slats.
I gazed up at the castle as we walked, taking a winding route up an ancient series of stone steps. We headed along a large path leading under an archway into a massive courtyard. In its centre was a stone fountain that spewed water from the contorted faces of women, all wound together as if taking part in some eerie dance.
Two ancient wooden doors barred our way any further, but Ulvic simply yanked me to a halt, waiting.
A cold wind tugged at my hair, but it was the ice in my heart that chilled me. The doors creaked loudly as they began to open and I grew tense, trying desperately to hold my ground, but fearful of facing the people who had forced me into their games before.
Abraham appeared with his lean wife, Katherine at his side. Both were dressed formally as if they were about to attend a dinner party; Abraham in a smart suit that was tailored to accommodate his large muscles and Katherine in a deep mauve gown with her golden hair swept up into a high bun. Abraham tugged on a chain in his fist and a dark-haired girl stepped into view from behind him.
She was a pick of a girl with reams of pale skin, dressed in black jeans and a vest, but I didn't notice much else about her apart from the huge metal contraption strapped over her mouth and nose, a small grate at the front of its protruding shape. It was latched around her throat, looking so heavy that I was surprised she didn't topple over. The chain was attached to a ring at the bottom of it and Abraham pulled on it again to bring her closer. My instinct was to back up; I had no doubt she was a V.
“Ulvic,” Abraham acknowledged him, but his eyes never left mine. Even from the eight paces that parted us, I could see the hunger in his gaze. He wanted revenge. I doubted anyone had defied him for a hundred years. And now here I was, a girl that had probably caused him all kinds of trouble with his clients, especially after they'd found one of them dead.
“Abraham-” Ulvic bowed his head. “It's good to see you again.”
“Thank you for returning Miss Grey to us,” Katherine said, her eyes flitting to me then back to him. “Will you be staying long?”
“Just a short visit,” Ulvic replied, pushing me forward. “I have some business with Ignus.”
As I stumbled toward Abraham he took my arm, his grip like a vice. My eyes slid to the chained girl beside him, something achingly familiar about her eyes. Her brows drew together and I could have sworn a growl sounded from within her muzzle.
I focused my attention on Abraham. “You promised you'd let me go,” I snarled, doing my best to act bitter at being brought back here.
Abraham's azure, lifeless eyes slid to mine. “The deal was that you would spend a night with the winning bidder. Brice Edgewater's death is not something I take lightly. He was one of my most loyal clients.”
“He was a rapist scumbag,” I spat. “And if you think I was going to let him hurt me after everything you put me through-”
Abraham spoke over me in his booming voice. “But it wasn't you that killed him, was it, Selena?”
I bit my lip, trying to hold his unwavering, indigo gaze, remaining silent.
“You messed with more than my clients. You turned my most loyal Vampire against me. Now I have to train in another – do you think that an easy task?” He yanked on the chain again and the Vampire lurched forward, snarling.
“He wasn't loyal,” I bit out, my body trembling. “Varick despises you.”
Abraham invaded my personal space until we were almost nose to nose. “He is already ruing the day he betrayed me and my family.” His tone was so deadly that it frightened me to my core.
“What have you done to him?” I breathed, unable to hide the way my voice was shaking.
A sneer curled Abraham's mouth and I wondered how I had ever thought Varick was evil in comparison to this man. Instead of answering, he dragged me forward, leading me into the castle, taking me away from all of my allies, leading his trainee V behind him.
I stole a glance over my shoulder, finding Ulvic's gaze stony. My life was now in him and his wolves' hands.
Abraham guided me through the drab halls, the walls towering up around us, the grey flagstones beneath our feet resembling tombstones.
“You're a thorn in my side, Selena,” Abraham muttered, sending a tremor through me. “And it's time to tweeze you out.” He led me into a stairwell and we circled down, down, down into the depths of the castle, the darkness growing thicker the further we descended. My heartbeat grew rapid at the thought of being trapped here. I'd been so intent on saving Varick I'd never considered that I may not even see him, perhaps being quickly executed to put an end to my rebellion.
We entered the underground dungeon, lit by bright lights that glared down at us from the ceiling. The place was clean and white, but the cages lining the walls held filthy creatures. Starving Vs that slammed against the bars as they caught mine and Abraham's scents. Screeches of pain rang out as they burnt themselves against the silver.
Fear grew inside me like a dark flower, blossoming into sheer terror.
What if Varick was one of them now? Thin, grotesque, barely human. How long would it take for him to become that way?
Abraham led me and his new pet past all of the Vampires. Many of the cages were empty and Varick wasn't there. But where else could he be?
We passed into the laboratories where I'd been taken after the game and I grew anxious as Ignus appeared, striding toward us with purpose.
“Where is he?” I blurted, unable to help myself.
Ignus halted, smiling broadly. “Oh you won't find him here, Selena. He's gone.”
“Gone?” I echoed, shaken to my core.
Ignus's smile widened further. “Yes, he's gone to the Isle of Lidelse.”
I turned to Abraham, looking for an explanation and found him paying little attention. He replied anyway, seeming keen to pass me on to his son. “Ignus has developed a new island for the games. Varick is currently being prepped to tear apart the new contestants.” He shoved me toward Ignus, handing him the chain attached to the Vampire girl. “Happy torturing.”