Chapter 51 - Hostage

Esma’s pov.

Darkness engulfed me. it was the same kind of darkness one would have witnessed during a long slumber, or death. Death? Am I dead? I don’t know. This is oblivion. At least it felt good.

It’s peace, in oblivion, in emptiness, without any worry, without any fear. It was just me now. no one to bother me, no one to hurt anyone. I could float in this abyss of nothingness forever.

“And what about me? about us?” my breath hitched hearing that familiar voice of a man. I hear it so many times, calling me, pulling me towards it. I can’t put my finger where I heard it. deep down, my heart was earning to hear it again and again.

“Kitten.” It calls to my deepest depths of my heart again and this time I tried to move. Who is it? who’s calling me?

“It’s time to wake up Esma.” this time he called me by my name and my heart thundered.

“REED?” the name automatically left my lips and all the memories gushed back like the thunder in my mind. The witches, the attack, the rogues, the blade of Zydus. Ravenna.

We were attacked by the rogues and Ravenna was the one who executed the whole plan, I just danced to her flute like a fool. She lured us to her trap and then…

My head hurts. I can’t remember what happened next. Where exactly am I? no, this is not the time to dwell on the past. I have to fight. I have to fight it out to my way.

“What could you achieve by fighting huh?” I herd another strange yet familiar voice, my eyes widened realising I heard it before in my dreams. The terrific voice of a women I keep hearing in my nightmares ever since I have a taken a foot on Noman’s land.

What could I achieve by fighting? what could I accomplish? What’s a life without any accomplish? No, I cannot let my guard down. I can’t submit to this voice. my people since time immemorial fights their way to live in this world. So does the others. We fought back, that’s what we do.

I had to wake up, I couldn’t’ give up to this oblivion. I couldn’t give up to these voices. This is not a dream. Right now, I feel somewhat like I was drugged on wolfsbane or silver. I could feel it in my nerves. This feeling is so addictive that I almost don’t want to wake up.

But I tried to forced my eyes open, but it took too much effort. They didn’t want to wake up. My senses were dulled and my eyes refused to pick signals sent by my brain.

I tried again and again till I felt like I was getting hold of my body. I heard the same voices again and this time they laughed.

“How futile.” They snarled but didn’t stop. I tried again and again till I felt I was getting hold on my body. I felt like my struggle continued for hours, till the effects of the drugs faded away and my organs finally started to take commands from my body again.

I felt my eyes fluttered open at last and disappointment filled my heart when I realize the gravity of the situation. i turned my gaze to the walls of rather old and shady dungeon and I swear I forget to breath for a moment or two.

I have seen this place. I have been here one time before. or to be exact I visited this place in my vision Diana showed me months ago. my skin prickled and my head hurts remembering the horrific vision she showed me.

I remembered it all now. the forest, the dungeon lost in the woods. The darkness. my body shakes in fear as I dared to move my neck to look at the exact same spot I was killed. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down my racing heart beats.

I finally opened them and sighed in relief. Not the time, I suppose. Now that I finally surpassed the inevitable fear of death for now, I finally looked at my pathetic state.

The cave was poorly lit and smell even worst. The only source of light in here was the small window on the later wall that had been partially covered by the metal rods, probably to ensure I couldn’t escape.

Sunlight steamed in the room through the darkness, making me wonder how long I have been held captive here. Judging by the crimson color of the light, I bet it soon going to be night.

My eyes desperately looked around to find someone, anyone to ask around, about what was really happening. My arms and legs were tied to the little squeaky chair my back was facing the wall which was sending chills right to my spine.

I tried to make a sound but failed miserably as my throat left a raspy whisper as a sound. My throat hurts dammit, it is dry as sandpaper. Almost in a heartbeat, my eyews drifyed to jar sitting preciously on the table, two feet away beside me.

I gulped, trying to moisten my throat a little. My hands are tied and so do my legs. I bit my lips, taking my chance, desperate need to quench my thrust, I moved- dragged. My hands were burning due to ropes and I know they will definitely leave a scar. I seriously thought if someone would hear or at least notices I was awake.

I waited a second before pushing my luck and tried to move again. One more step Emmy.

“Did you think how you will drink from that with your hands still tied?” I heard the voice before the footsteps and I quickly recoiled.

My heart beated away fast as I silently hoped for that person to be a helper. I know it was wishful thinking and I was clutching the fringes of hopes but still. That was all I could do.

My hopes shattered pretty quickly as I watched Ravenna making her way towards me. Her uncanny eyes had the same expression as always. Her eyes founds the jug residing on the top of the shelf and she walked gracefully towards it not breaking the eye contact with me.

She lifted the jar and I could easily see she was trying her best to keep a straight face and almost in instant she turned it upside down.

My eyes widened in surprised, I bite back my anger as I found the jar was completely empty.

“Oh sorry but let me make it up to you.” she said and with the snap of her fingers my hands freed from the ropes. I smoothened them, my arms were sore.

“Here.” She snapped her fingers again and passed me the empty jar, I lifted my one eyebrow and her lips quirks in sinister smirk. I had to be extra cautious, Ravenna is not naïve.

She purposefully unshackles my arms but I could still feel how she tightened my legs. She is not leaving any scope for escape or mistakes. I sighed tiredly as my throat burns more. I unwillingly accepted her generosity and quench my thirst.

“Now.” She reverted her gaze to the window. I peeked through my lashes to see it was now evening. “I suppose we should talk. I was very curious from the first time I laid my eyes on you.”

I was not getting a good feeling about this.