Chapter 23 Die

Chapter 23 Die
It was absurd how my life had taken a different path in a day. One day I was being auctioned for my body, and the next moment I was brought, then brought to this house and attacked.

The scars these wounds would leave didn’t scare me, but the scars this encounter had left on my soul would haunt me forever.

The brother Azran talked about was living in the woods, attacked me, and now Azran talked of some war I didn’t know about or wanted to be a part of.

I didn’t know if I was shitless scared or simply too numb to process anything. I didn’t want to go to my room or sleep there at all. Even though Loren assured me nothing could enter this house, I was still paranoid.

I could sell my soul to escape this place. Or probably kill myself to escape this horror. When Azran said I was not to set foot outside this house, it evoked a primal feminine urge inside me to argue with him that he had no right to cage me, but this cage looked far better than the freedom I thought I was outside.

I’d never regretted anything ever since I learned nothing was in my hands or control, but I regretted knowing the decision of walking into that forest was my own. I did this. Brought this upon myself. I deserved it.

I pressed my fingers into the blanket, grounding myself in the texture and the present moment. The house felt different now that I knew a secret.

I hadn’t agreed to any of this. I wasn’t meant for battles and bloodline grudges that outlived reason. I was meant to survive day by day without being noticed. Yet here I was, standing at center of it all that had already marked me whether I wanted it or not.

I thought of the brothel, of how simple life had been in its ugliness. It was cruel and demanding, yes, but it was predictable and repetitive. I knew what to expect. Pain followed patterns, and patterns were simple. This worlds didn’t offer any patterns but chaos and power imbalance.

The man in the forest had not attacked me aimlessly, that was clear now. It was Azran’s brother, and it knew my name. I wasn’t the collateral damaged but somehow I was involved.

The idea of war made my stomach twist. I didn’t want to be fought over. Didn’t want to be protected or claimed or avenged like some damsel. I wanted anonymity I wanted a life small enough to call it mine without any beasts or monsters in it.

Instead, I lay in Azran’s room now while he talked some business with Eli. My fever was still there, it hadn’t gotten better. I stared at the ceiling, listening to the soft humming of birds outside the window and to my relief, the window of his room didn’t face the woods.

I closed my eyes as exhaustion filled me and dragged me down again. It was because of those pills Loren gave me I guess. Cause there was no way I could sleep right after what happened.

If this was the path my life had chosen without asking me, then I would have to learn how to walk it.



When I woke up again, it was already late evening. My head felt lighter now and my legs didn’t ache much except the pain in my wounds. I hoped they would get better with time.

I looked around finding no one, and took my time raking my eyes all over the room.

Last night when Azran brought me here, I couldn’t see or comprehend much cause I was scared but now that the foggy illusions were drenched by some sanity, I could finally see the manliness and contrast Azran’s room had with mine.

Where my room was bright and light, his was dark and moody. With light grey walls, wood panels over one side of the wall, a leather couch in middle, a cabinet of liquor and a large king sized beg I was laying on with black satin sheets covering me.

I sighed feeling the satin slip down my body as I pushed myself up and dangled my legs over the edge of the bed, wincing but pulling myself up.

His room smelled so much of him. That woodsy, aromatic  sandalwood aroma I could recognize anywhere. I still had to apologize to him for doubting him when he asked me not to roam into the woods. Only if I had listened to him and obeyed.

I walked slowly, limping to the bathroom, splashed water over my face and freshened up. After washing my hands, I decided to go downstairs.

Though the task of walking down the stairs was horrendous. I had to walk like tortoise to reach the last stair. I was already tired even though I woke up less than fifteen minutes ago. There was no one when I went to the kitchen.

So I grabbed a water bottle, and drank it greedily.

It felt nice as if I’d drank the water after ages.

Where was everyone? I thought as I limped toward the living room.

“She needs to know if you want the ritual to be complete without any hindrance.”

I frowned at the familiar voice, as I walked closer to the living room.

“She’s never agree.”

“Then you’d force her?”

I stopped near the entrance.

“Yes,” Azran’s deep voice followed. “If I have no option.”

“She’d die.”

“She is dying.” I frowned at his words wondering who they were talking about.

“What do you mean?”

Azran’s stoic voice followed with a strained sigh. “He has marked her already before me.”

Who had marked whom?

“This… can’t be…”

I stepped forward slightly, peeking through the pillar and my eyes widened at finding Ian and Azran standing face to face, wearing the faces of confusion while Azran’s unreadable expressions haunted me as his jaw clenched and he ran a hand through his hair.

“And now, if he doesn’t consummate their bond, she’d…”

Ian’s eyes widened as he completed. “Die…”