SENA

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Zorya

Dying.

Knowing I died because of manipulation by others had always bothered me. The knowledge that my hell experience wasn't because of my own choices. I mean, outside of my choosing to love a man who never loved me.

Even then, if he'd denied my hand and rejected my father's marriage proposal, nothing would have come of it.

But he didn't.

It was better for him to marry me and make my life miserable to gain a title that allowed him to get close to my sister without anyone questioning their relationship.

Now, I rejected the idea of dying because of someone else. If I were going to die, I would die by my own hand, or at the very least, I would die because of my own choices.

All that is to say, when I saw another experiencing death due to the manipulations of others, I immediately felt like I'd met a kindred spirit.

The dark room wasn't as dark as I expected it to be.

Once you fully entered the room, a low blue light filled every corner. The dark black splotches that decorated the walls, floor, and rack of torture devices truly added to the hell-like décor.

Walking past these things, I noticed a throne-like chair and a table beside it. A recently opened wine bottle, food, and glass were on the table.

I closed my eyes as memories crashed against the door of my sanity. Control, I'd fought to keep a hold of breaking bit by bit.

Terrible demons roamed behind it, eyes black with little remorse or sympathy.

I tightened my hold on the cold handle of my blade. The bit of pain from pressing my thumb against the pointed decoration soothed my spirits. Re-opening my eyes, I looked at the shackles on the wall. Nothing was chained up there, and I didn't know whether to be happy or sad about that.

Walking past the chair, I frowned as I couldn't find anything until my gaze landed on a small cage in the corner. It was about the height of a five-year-old and as wide as one. Something shifted inside.

"Jui, open it."

The shadow rippled before it slammed into the lock on the cage.

My throat felt thick, like something was choking it. I slowly approached and went to my knees. At this point, I no longer cared how dirty my gown would become. The pungent smell of blood filled my nose and waste.

Keeping my expression empty of emotion, I reached for the now-unlocked door and slowly opened it. The cage door hinges groaned as an all-black wolf pup was revealed. His body was torn to pieces, as if some beast had mauled him.

Barely able to move, his nose twitched, but nothing else. His eyes had scar marks that were thick with blood and puss.

My fingers froze on the door. My body felt like it had been plunged into an icy river; reality was the waves that crashed into my heart.

I don't know how long I'd sat there staring. My heart was pounding in my ears as I remembered another helpless soul spilling from my body as blood pooled at my knees.

I'd never had the joy of hearing my child call me mother.

On this thought, I moved and reached inside, taking the little one into my hands slowly. The beating of his heart was faint, but I refused to think about what that meant. The minute I pulled him out, he whimpered and tried to move, but it was impossible with his injuries.

"Shh, shh, I have you, little one. I have you," I said, pulling him close so he could feel not only my warmth but also my heartbeat. I promise you; I'll take you to safety. No one will ever hurt you again."

The door I'd closed behind slammed open, and a masculine demanded angrily. "Who are you?! How dare you attempt to steal my property!"

Not responding to him, I slowly rose to my feet. Instead, I continued to whisper to the shivering pup in my arms. "When we leave here, you'll get a warm bath and delicious soup. Then we'll sleep in a warm bed so comfortable that you'll think you're sleeping on clouds."

A few men joined him in the doorway.

"Listen, you bitch! I'll teach you to ignore your betters. I'll have you on your knees, and maybe I'll give you grace after playing with you."

"Jui. Shae." The shadows slowly peeled from the wall until the two stood behind me. "Kill all of them, and bring me the speaker's head."

When the first scream came, I didn't bother to see who'd gone first. Turning around, I calmly walked out, not caring about the blood dirtying my hem or the dress itself as I walked out. The blade I'd been holding appeared beside me as Shae caught up with me. Her silence was a comfort, and I motioned to the cells with the other children with my chin.

"Take them and hide them in your shadow."

She disappeared, and the children within the cell were swallowed out of sight.

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