Chapter 26: The First Task

The air is heavy with tension, the silence in the room broken only by the faint hum of the fluorescent lights. I sit on the edge of the hard cot, my fingers tracing the seams of my pants as if the repetitive motion could calm my racing thoughts. My neck still aches from the weight of the collar, its presence a constant reminder of my predicament. Lucian’s words from earlier echo in my mind: “You’ll do whatever I say, won’t you?”

I didn’t have a choice.

A sharp knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. The door swings open, and a man I’ve never seen before steps inside. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, with a no-nonsense expression etched into his face. His dark uniform and the insignia on his chest mark him as one of Lucian’s enforcers.

“Get up,” he orders, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitate for a moment, my body frozen in place. Then I force myself to stand, my legs trembling slightly beneath me. The man gestures toward the door, and I follow him out into the corridor. The fluorescent lights above cast harsh shadows on the walls, amplifying the cold, sterile atmosphere of this place.

As we walk, I steal glances at the man leading me. His face is impassive, his movements precise. He’s like a machine, devoid of emotion or humanity. I wonder if he’s as trapped in Lucian’s web as I am, or if he serves him willingly.

After what feels like an eternity, we arrive at a large steel door. The enforcer presses a code into the keypad, and the door slides open with a hiss. Inside is a small, windowless room. A single table sits in the center, flanked by two metal chairs. On the table rests a black folder, its edges worn from use.

“Sit,” the enforcer commands, gesturing toward one of the chairs.

I obey, my heart pounding in my chest. The enforcer doesn’t sit. Instead, he stands near the door, his arms crossed as if to remind me that escape is impossible. Moments later, Lucian enters the room. His presence is like a storm, filling every corner with an oppressive weight.

“Good,” he says, his lips curving into a cold smile. “You’re learning to follow orders. That’s progress.”

I don’t respond. I’ve learned that silence is often the safest option when it comes to Lucian. He approaches the table, his fingers brushing against the black folder before he opens it. Inside are several sheets of paper, each covered in dense text and photographs.

“Do you know what this is?” he asks, holding up one of the pages.

I shake my head, my throat too dry to speak.

“It’s a dossier,” Lucian explains. “On someone who has been very... uncooperative. Let’s call him Subject Alpha. He’s been withholding information that I need. And you, Nerina, are going to help me get it.”

My stomach twists at his words.

“What do you mean?” I manage to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lucian’s smile widens, and it’s the kind of smile that makes my skin crawl.

“You’re going to persuade him to talk,” he says, as if it’s the simplest thing in the world.

The room feels colder, the air thinner.

“I don’t know how to do that,” I say quickly, panic creeping into my voice.

“You’ll figure it out,” Lucian replies, his tone dismissive. “I suggest you get creative. Subject Alpha is resilient, but everyone has a breaking point. Find his.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them away. I can’t show weakness. Not now.

“And if I refuse?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

Lucian leans closer, his hands resting on the table as he looks directly into my eyes.

“Refusal isn’t an option,” he says softly, his voice laced with menace. “If you fail me, the consequences will be severe. For you, and for others.”

He doesn’t need to elaborate. I’ve seen what he’s capable of. I’ve heard the screams echoing through the halls.

Lucian straightens and turns to leave, but before he reaches the door, he glances back at me.

“You have one hour,” he says. “Don’t disappoint me.”

The door closes behind him, leaving me alone with the enforcer. He gestures for me to follow, and we make our way to another room, deeper within the facility. My mind races, trying to come up with a plan. What am I supposed to do? How can I possibly get someone to talk when I’m barely holding myself together?

We arrive at a room identical to the one I just left. Inside, a man sits chained to a chair. His face is bruised, his clothes torn. He looks up as I enter, his eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and fear.

The enforcer steps aside, allowing me to approach. My legs feel like lead as I move closer to the man. My hands tremble, and I clasp them together to steady myself.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, more to myself than to him.

The man’s eyes narrow, and he spits on the floor at my feet.

“You’re just another one of his pawns,” he says, his voice rough. “Do whatever you want. I won’t break.”

His words cut deep, and for a moment, I consider walking away. But then I remember Lucian’s threat. If I fail, it won’t just be me who suffers.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to meet the man’s gaze.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I say, my voice trembling. “But I don’t have a choice.”

The man doesn’t respond. His silence is defiant, and I can’t help but admire his courage. But admiration won’t save me. I have to find a way to make him talk, or Lucian will make good on his promise.

As the seconds tick by, I realize that this isn’t just about survival. It’s about finding a way to maintain my humanity in a situation designed to strip it away. I don’t know if I’ll succeed, but I know one thing for certain:

I have to try.