GEMMA'S POV
In the dimly lit corridors of the capital's prison, the two officers approached my cell, their heavy boots echoing against the stone walls. The flickering torchlight danced eerily, casting long shadows on the floor. With a jingling of keys, they unlocked the rusted metal door and entered the small, damp chamber that had been my living quarters for quite a while.
"Get up, witch," grumbled Officer Reynolds, his face etched with disdain.
I slowly rose from the cold damp floor, my piercing eyes meeting their scornful gazes. "Well, well, if it isn't my esteemed guests. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
I was left alone in the solitary confinement cell for what seemed to be days. I didn't even know how many days it had been, in the tiny room, days blended into night over here, I didn’t have any concept of time. My throat was parched and I was so hungry. If I had known that saving the Governor would earn me such a strict punishment I would have let him die.
Officer Williams shot me a withering look. "Don't get any ideas, witch. The Governor wants to see you."
I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. I was secretly relieved, maybe he would release me in exchange for saving his life. "Oh, how delightful. The mighty Governor Rhys Amman himself wishes to grace me with his presence?"
The officers exchanged a cynical glance before Reynolds snorted. "Don't get too excited. We don't understand why he's bothered with the likes of you. You're nothing but trouble."
As they led me through the cold, stone passages, I couldn't help but taunt them. "Trouble? Me? Oh, I'm just a humble practitioner of the arcane arts, seeking my place in this unjust world."
Williams scoffed. "Save your theatrics for the Governor witch."
"You're not worthy to be in his presence, I wonder why he sent for you....."
"He shouldn't have to reward you for anything, saving your Governor is nothing but a civic duty. Everyone in your position should have done the same..."
My lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Ah, yes. That incident. Pity you fine officers weren't quick enough that day."
Reynolds clenched his jaw, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his baton. "Are you mocking us witch?!"
I shrugged, the shackles on me rattling. "I'm merely wondering why a Governor's life is so easily endangered. But I suppose I should thank you for giving me the very rare opportunity to be the hero this time."
Williams handed me a bundle of fresh clothes, his voice dripping with disdain. "Don't get too comfortable, you're not going to be given a medal or anything for what you've done. Don't expect much."
I chuckled softly as I changed. "Oh, I'm well aware of that. But with the right circumstances, who knows what will happen?"
They left me in another room to change and while I would have preferred a bath instead, I made do with the new clothes. They gave me a bucket of water and a towel and I tried to clean up as much as I could with it. My hair was hopeless, but I managed to tame it into a tight braid, I needed to wash it, but the guards certainly wouldn't oblige any request of mine.
With my new attire, a pair of oversized pants and a hoodie that seemed to swallow me up with soft black converse, I was ready. My chains were removed, and we proceeded down the corridor, the officers shooting me occasional mistrustful glances. They were very weary of me. The torchlight seemed to dance more brightly as we neared the exit of the building. I was finally going to leave. And see sunlight.
As we stood outside the exit I turned to my captors, a sly smile on my face. "Well, gentlemen, I do hope you'll find a way to fill the void in your hearts that my absence will surely create."
Reynolds sneered, but Williams let out an exasperated sigh. "Just go in, witch."
I waved at them, happy to finally be free.
At the exit, two of the Governor's men were waiting for me, with a black car in front of them. One of them opened the door for me and I was led inside the car.
In the car I was offered a bottle of water and I drank every last bit of it. I was really thirsty. I needed food too, but I supposed that would be later. Food, a proper bath and somewhere to lay my head to sleep.
My mouth salivated at the thought of food. One of them must have realized I was hungry, because he offered me a protein bar, I devoured it.
Finally, we got to the capital and a few minute later we were in front of the large imposing glass building that was the Governor's building.
...........
Governor Rhys office looked like every bit of what I imagined a Governor's office would look like. And Rhys was a lot younger than l imagined. He was young, but not too young, the twenty-eight year old had become an alpha at twenty and a governor at twenty-six, the youngest reigning governor ever in the history of Azov. The Governor’s chiseled features were framed by a cascade of dark hair that fell like a raven's wing. His eyes, the shade of stormy blue seas, held an intensity that commanded respect and admiration. He had the kind of handsomeness that you'd only see on movie stars.
Now that I thought about it, girls were always in front of the TV anytime there was a broadcast with the Governor in it. I always thought it was because they were eager to hear current news, but now l realized it was because of the Governor was in it.
The Governor asked his guards to wait outside while I stood in his office, taking everything in.
He looked at me, I could tell what he was thinking. I was small. Small for my age, small for the kind of name that I carried. He was right. I got that a lot once people discovered who I was. I was used to it.
I hoped I at least looked presentable, I had the urge to touch my hair, make it look presentable, but I didn’t want to mess it up again.
"Gemma Bracken, why did you save my life?!”
The question caught me by surprise. What did he mean? Why would anyone save anybody? But he was right, why did I? I could have made a run for it during the chaos. And he had certainly not been nice to me, he was about to sentence me and I’m pretty sure it was a harsh sentence.
“I really don’t know. I won’t stand here and lie that I saved you because I cared about you or what you are.”
“I just did it…”
I answered honestly, hoping my sharp tongue wouldn’t get me in trouble.
He was quiet, for a long time, was he trying to tell if I was lying? I knew werewolves had that power, but I just couldn’t tell if he was using it on me.
“Thank you.”
He simply said. I nodded.
"You're welcome. But I foresee that such attacks would be frequent in the future. You should get better security."
He nodded. "I'm well aware of that.”
"So what are you going to do about me now? Do I get a prize? Am I free?"
I asked the question that had been weighing on my mind all thought the trip, the Governor’s face gave away nothing.
"Your actions won't go unnoticed. But your crimes, Gemma Bracken, they are grave and numerous. The country cannot simply turn a blind eye to them."
I scoffed, my eyes narrowing: "And what, pray tell, are these crimes you're so worked up about?"
"I mean did you even investigate some of these crimes?! Because most times when your officers find out I'm a witch, they're willing to assume the worst of me! So many witches have been charged with impossible crimes that they didn't even commit so they can lose their license. That's why many of them are fleeing to other countries because living here is crap!"
He didn’t even say a word. He just watched me quietly. What game was he playing at? I didn’t understand him at all.
"Your crimes are extensive Gemma, I cannot let someone like you go after all you've done. I'm sorry if that offends you but I'm just trying to protect my country."
I scoffed. "Funny how you conveniently forget that I also ensured that your country didn't fall into the hands of those resistance fighters."
"And I'm grateful for that, I really am. However, it doesn't absolve you of your other charges."
I fumed. I knew it! I should have just let him die! What a joke!!
I cannot go back to prison, I cannot, I thought as I started thinking of what to do or say next to plead my cause an idea popped into my head.
“Oh well, I think I understand your point. May I present an idea for you Governor?”
“What’s your grand idea?”
He answered sarcastically.
"Actually, I have a proposal for you." I replied. If this worked, I could very well get out of prison and never have to go back there.
"And what's this proposal?"
"I’m very skilled, it would be a huge mistake on your part to throw that away when you can use my talent for your own personal gain."
“Besides, someone very close to you must be working for the Resistance for them to launch such an attack on you. You need to find them.”
The Governor’s confusion was evident, "Do you want to work for me?”
“Precisely. I want to work for you. In exchange for my freedom.”
There was long silence and I silently prayed to every goddess that cared to listen that the Governor would consider my offer.
After what seemed to be eternity, he finally spoke.
“Okay Gemma Bracken.”
"If you serve me faithfully for a year, as part of my personal security team, I will give you your freedom."
My eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. That was all I wanted, my freedom.
"And you'll also give me back my licence?"
He nodded.
"Yes I will. What do you say to that?!"
I nodded.
"Okay."
The Governor nodded.
"That’s settled.”