I step into the small concrete room with a glass window at the very top, one that can’t be opened. It’s just to give this prisoner a sense of day and night.
The lights flicker as I pull a chair from the hallway and into the room. Selene sits on a cot, one arm bandaged, and one side of her face bruised purple and green. Her lip is split, but she still smirks, the kind of smirk that says she’d bite my hand off before thanking me for anything.
She watches me like she’s already decided that pissing me off is worth the possible death penalty.
“Well,” she rasps, voice dry. “Happy now? Went through all that to takeoneomega?”
“You’re lucky we showed up. That alpha was a part of theRed Fangs, and they deal with human trafficking. You’d probably have no organs by now, which they cut out while you’re still awake, just so you know.”
Selene leans back, exhaling through her nose. “What do you want with me? Where is Diana?”
His jaw tightens. “Diana is under my protection now.”
Selene’s breath catches, but she hides it with a scoff. “That what you call it? Protection? What happened to her while she was in heat? No one will tell me.”
“Itook care of her.”
For a second—a very brief second—Selene’s defiance falters. Her throat moves as she swallows, eyes darting all over me, the room, then down at her wounds.
“I want you to write a letter,” I say, pulling out a folded-up piece of parchment and a pen from my pocket, “that tells her you’re alive. Then you’re going to add something in there that only you two would know, so she knows it’s you. I will be reading it, so don’t try to include anything I wouldn’t approve. We’ll rewrite it a hundred times if necessary.”
Selene’s eyes harden. “What’s going to happen to her?”
For a while, we just stare at each other. There’s something about this woman I don’t like, which is why Diana won’t be seeing her again. A letter will suffice. “She will live here and be mated to someone,” I carefully reply.
Finally, Selene exhales, muttering, “What happens to me?”
“When I think your use is gone, I’ll set you free.”
“And what dictates that?”
I pass her the paper and pen. “That’s not relevant. Now write the letter, and you’ll be given proper medical care, food, and water.”
Selene takes the pen and paper, sadness crossing her face. “I’m only doing this so she knows I’m not dead.Notfor you.”
“Don’t care the reason. Do what I asked.”
I watch and wait as she writes, having to shift so she can put the paper on a bench. Hopefully, this will allow Diana not to worry about Selene. At the very least, I will have done my duty to ensure those close to her are not harmed for her actions. What happens to Selene after this is something I could care very little about.
DIANA
It’sstrange to admit that a fewdayshave since passed. There’s not much action one can take when holed up like this, and that eats at me. What am I doing with myself? How can I possibly getanyleads if I’m not allowed to leave? Ravina seems to have changed her tune, claiming that taking me to the bonfire was merely an introduction, not an invitation to meet any alphas just yet.
Roxy was removed the following morning, and I haven’t seen her since.
I’ve explored the courtyard garden and found the fence line that Juno mentioned. It’s not only staffed with Dominion, but I’ve also since learned that dogs patrol it. You can hear them barking or yipping throughout the day.
And yes, they’re even out there at night.
None of the others have left, either. Where it once felt spacious, I admit it’s now pretty crammed. Juno and Scorch play hacky sack during the day, Cassandra is pretty dedicated to yoga and stretching, while Mira and Alicia keep to themselves in their corner, drawing or reading. Juno will go around and just talk all day long. I focus on sharing stories about theEnclave if Juno asks too many questions. I do what I can to avoid talking about my life before then.
I’ve also been trying to sleep a lot during the day. Let my body rest after that intense heat I just endured. Which means that I’m wired during the nights, so when the others are lounging or winding down for the day, I throw on a knitted sweater, jeans, wool socks with leather boots, and a wool blanket over my shoulders to repeat my initial meeting with the oak tree.
I brought a stool out the second night so I could sit on it, wrapping the blanket tightly around me as little clouds of breath form in front of me, my ass still cold. I stare up at the massive piece of nature.
My eyes connect with those of an owl, my breathing pausing. An immediate wave of envy washes over me, wishing desperately for the wings and freedom it has. I suck cold air into my lungs as the bird spreads its wings and flies away, watching it until I can no longer see it in the distance.
It’s very quiet now.
