Chapter 20

Being carried over Damon's shoulder like a sack of grain was humiliating enough, but the sight of the dark, looming packhouse stirred a dread that made my skin crawl. The cold night air bit at my tear-streaked face, and my screams and thrashing had subsided into muffled sobs. My body was too drained to fight anymore, but my mind burned with anger.

He strode through the doors and into the shadows of the enormous structure, the air thick with the faint metallic tang of blood and the earthy musk of wolves. He didn't speak, didn't glance at me, and that only stoked my fury.

We descended into the belly of the packhouse, the stairs narrowing and the light fading with every step. At last, we reached a small, dimly lit room with stone walls. There was a single metal chair bolted to the ground in the center, heavy iron chains snaking around its arms and legs.

Damon unceremoniously dumped me onto the chair. The clang of the metal was loud in the quiet room, and I flinched.

"Stay," he said, his voice cold, sharp, like a whip.

I refused to sit still. My rage surged as I spotted a jagged shard of metal lying near the chair. Without thinking, I lunged for it, my hand curling around its edge.

Before I could register my own actions, I drove it into his side.

The shard sank deep, and for one glorious moment, I felt a sick sense of satisfaction as his blood slicked my hands. But the look on his face—calm, almost bored—made my stomach churn.

Damon slowly pulled the shard from his body, the wound closing before my eyes. His blood evaporated like mist.

"Well," he said, his voice a low growl. "That was bold."

"You're a monster!" I spat, my voice trembling with rage. "I hate you. I hate all of you!"

His expression didn't change, but the room seemed to grow colder. "Let me remind you, pet," he said, stepping closer, "that you are nothing here. If you test me again, I'll do more than rip out your heart. I'll make sure you're alive to watch me feed it to my wolves."

I swallowed hard, fear clawing its way up my throat. He leaned in, his silver-gray eyes locking onto mine, almost transparent in the dim light.

"I own you," he said, his voice low but charged with authority. "You live because I allow it. Remember that."

I wanted to scream at him, to throw more insults, but my body betrayed me. I stayed silent, the shard clattering to the floor as my fingers loosened their grip.

"Good girl," he said mockingly, his lips curling into a smirk. Then, without another word, he wrapped the chains around my wrists and ankles, locking me in place.

Damon turned on his heel and left, the heavy door slamming shut behind him.

I sat in the suffocating silence, the cold metal biting into my skin. Tears streamed down my face as grief swallowed me whole.

Anna was dead.

Ellis was dead.

Lily and Jordan were still out there, but for how long?

I hated Damon more than I had ever hated anyone in my life. The grief sharpened into a resolve, hard and unyielding. I will find a way to kill them. Every last one of them.

###

The next day passed in a haze of despair and anger. Damon hadn't returned, and I'd been left chained in the room until one of the guards came to release me. They barked orders, instructing me to return to my duties as a servant.

The humiliation of it all burned, but I held my head high, letting my hatred keep me upright.

By midday, I found myself in the grand dining hall, a tray of food balanced in my hands. Damon's siblings were gathered at the long table, their voices low but animated.

At the head of the table was Adam, his sharp jawline and icy demeanor a chilling reflection of Damon's. Beside him sat Bella.

Her hair was a striking shade of blonde so pale it was almost white, tumbling in soft waves down her back. Her gray eyes, light and piercing, seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow, her delicate features a perfect mask of innocence and cunning. Despite her youthful appearance, there was something ancient in the way she carried herself, an air of authority and grace that demanded attention.

As I approached, their voices became clearer.

"...can't keep ignoring it, Adam," Bella said, her tone sharp yet unnervingly calm, like a blade hidden in silk. "These bloodsucking demons are becoming a problem. They're multiplying, and it's only a matter of time before they overrun our borders."

Adam's expression darkened. "I'm aware, Bella. But the question remains—what do we do about it?"

Bella leaned back, her fingers idly tracing the rim of a glass. "We need reinforcements. Witches, perhaps. They owe us favors, and we could use their magic."

My breath caught in my throat. Witches?

Adam scoffed. "Witches are fickle. They'll demand a price, and we're already stretched thin."

"Then what's your suggestion?" Bella challenged, her voice a perfect mixture of grace and vehemence. Her icy eyes never left Adam's, unblinking. "Because if we don't act soon, this world will collapse under the weight of its own chaos."

Adam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Perhaps it's time to consider rejoining the human world. With the witches' help, we could create a bridge—"

The tray in my hands rattled as I froze. Human world?

Bella's gaze flicked to me, her lips curling into a sly smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Careful, darling," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "We wouldn't want any accidents."

I muttered an apology, steadying the tray, but my mind raced. Human world? There was another world besides this one?

Adam didn't spare me a glance as he continued. "It's a risk. The human world doesn't take kindly to...our kind. But it may be the only way to regain control here."

"And what happens if we're discovered?" Bella challenged. "You know as well as I do that humans fear what they don't understand. They'll hunt us."

"Then we'll remind them why they fear us," Adam said coldly.

Bella chuckled, her laugh like the crackle of ice breaking. "Now you're starting to sound like Damon."

Adam shot her a glare, but before he could respond, Bella waved a hand dismissively. "Enough. We'll summon the witch and see what she offers. After all, she owes us more than a few favors."

Bella turned her gaze back to me, her smirk returning. "Leave us," she said, her tone sharp. "We have much to discuss, and your ears aren't needed here."

I bowed my head, backing away quickly, but her piercing gaze lingered on me until I was out of sight.