Chapter 19 ∣  Feel My Pain

-Eris

Hendrix stiffened at my question, never getting the chance to answer me as the sound of the door opening had him shifting his eyes away from mine. I jumped, the door splintering as it slammed shut, heavy footsteps descending the stairs. It had been such a treat to speak with Hendrix like I was equal, but that all changed the moment Declan reached the bottom of the stairs, his eyes confused with the scene he was watching.

"Hendrix, what are you doing down here with her?" Declan emphasized the last part as though it burned his tongue to recognize my existence.

"Dec-"

Hendrix was cut off as Declan glowered at him, a low growl emanated from the back of his throat.

"Alpha," Hendrix mindfully corrected himself. It appeared these two were normally much more casual when speaking with each other, but he wanted to show his power when in front of me. If he wanted me to fear him, he really didn't have to put that much more effort into doing so. I knew I was a dead woman walking, it was just a matter of time before he decided to eliminate me. But, not without inflicting excruciating pain first.

Declan scanned my cell quickly, noticing the food that Hendrix had so kindly brought for me. He quickly strode towards the two of us, barking, "Why are you feeding her?!"

"I-If you want to," Hendrix was trying to find the right words and I could tell it was breaking his heart and it hurt him to say, "Torture her for as long as possible, she needs some strength."

Nice save...

"Hendrix," Declan's words made my heart sink, "Leave."

No, don't send away the nice wolf...

After a good five seconds of silence, Hendrix turned away from me, walking past Declan as he began to climb the stairs. Each step he took was another second closer to whatever Declan had planned for me. My breathing quickened as the door to the basement opened, closing solidly another moment later as Declan unlocked my cage door.

Don't show weakness.

Don't give in.

You can't break me. I won't let you. I've been through literal Hell and survived a lot worse than whatever you're about to do to me.

"Come here," Declan ordered, but I wouldn't move. When I hadn't obeyed his order, he took four steps into the cell, threw me over his shoulder like I was nothing and unlocked the cuff that held me in place. I wanted to scream, the fear inside of me rising once again, but I wouldn't bring myself to show him how much I was afraid.

There was a circular wooden pole that was about three feet wide near one of the corners, that is where Declan placed me down.

"Take off your shirt," his eyes held mine, my own widening with a stunned expression.

"N-no," I returned, my voice sounding not as strong as I would have hoped for.

Declan's hand was around my throat the moment I refused him, holding me in place as he ripped the fabric from my body. The shreds of what used to be my only protection fell around my feet.

One side of me kept begging to take his energy, to try, while the other half reminded me of how weak I am compared to this animal before me. The air was cold, my skin covered in goosebumps, but it only made it more uncomfortable when he snatched my bra from my chest, tearing the clasp. Embarrassment washed over me, both of my arms wrapping around my breasts.

Declan narrowed his eyes at the top of my shoulders, confused by what he saw. The hand that was gripping my neck, loosened while the fingertips of his free hand traced over the bite marks.

"What are these?" He questioned me.

Now...is that a rhetorical question? Or am I about to get smacked again for mouthing off?

What's it look like to you dumb ass?

"Answer me!" I trembled as his voice washed over me.

So...it isn't a rhetorical question...nice to know, thanks!

"My marks," I quietly answered, not wanting to delve further.

Muttering to himself, Declan stated, "I've never seen a mark like that. Ain't no bloody vampire mark..."

I kept quiet as he whirled me around, facing the wooden pole. I attempted to pull out of his grasp when he grabbed my left wrist, locking it into a chain that wrapped around the pole. My struggles were quickly overpowered, taking my right wrist and locking it into the opposite chain that ran along the back of the pole.

My breasts were no longer exposed, pressed tightly against the wooden pole, my arms basically hugging it. Declan's hands faltered as he took my long dark hair away from my back, moving it over my shoulder. His warm hand was soothing when he trailed it over the many thin lash scars that littered my upper back.

"You've been punished before?" His voice was filled with confusion.

Again, with the fucking rhetorical questions...scars don't lie asshat.

"No...they're love marks..." I replied dryly, my left cheek pressed against the wooden pole, my eyes filled with hate and anger. This whole situation was bringing up memories from my past. This wouldn't be the first time that I've had something taken out on me at the expensive of another.

"Your beloved beats you?" Declan voice seemed...concerned?

I replied lowly, "One, Maverick is not my beloved. Two, no...I'm no stranger to being used to take anger out on."

Declan sighed with irritation, "I'm done listening to your bullshit lies. His scent is on you and that is good enough for me. Whether his is or isn't your beloved doesn't matter. He'll come for you, and when he does, he'll have his heart ripped from his chest just like mine was."

Well then, glad to know we're past the pleasantries.

He walked away from me; his footsteps were heard as he took one of the many weapons that lined the wall. I hadn't even heard him until the low growl came from the back of his throat, "Let's start out with something you're familiar with them."

The crack of a whip filled the stilled air, lashing against my flesh. It had been a long time since I had felt the recognizable sting that rippled from the point of contact, spreading like fire through my back. Closing my eyes while I steadied my breathing, I rolled the chains into my hands, gripping onto them tightly as I prepared for the repetitive burn that would eventually overwhelm me.

Three more cracks later and I felt the blood trickling from the open wounds, the warm liquid sliding down my lower back and soaking into the top of my jeans. Biting on my lower lip, I refused to cry out. He wanted me to feel his pain and I was, but I wasn't about to show it.

Crack.

Maverick...if you are looking for me...please find me, please find me before it's too late.

Crack.

I don't know why you killed his mate and there may not be a reason at all.

Crack.

The teardrops fell from my eyelashes, followed by a stream coming from the corner of my eyes. The smell of my blood filled the room, churning my stomach to the point I was ready to throw up. I continued to bite back the screams that wanted to leave me, knowing my teeth were leaving behind marks of their own on my bottom lip.

Crack.

If you do come for me...please bring me pizza...I really miss pizza.

Crack.

I could see black spots creeping into my vision, a dark cloud forming within my head as I welcomed to be knocked out. It would take away the pain and I desperately wanted to give into it. Just a little more...

The whip halted, the faint sound of footsteps running down the stairs had Declan pausing his strikes. I could hear Tristan's voice vaguely as he informed, "Alpha, the rogue pureblood, he's entered the forest."

"Lead the hunters and track him down," Declan growled, "I want him alive."

The whip bit into my flesh once again as he resumed his merciless strikes on me. My fingers slowly lost their grip on the chains, the bindings at my wrists were the only thing supporting me. Everything was becoming numb, the cuffs scrapping the skin around my wrists as I slumped against the wooden pole, my eyes fluttering shut.

I heard four more cracks before I was finally granted peace, the darkness consuming me.

**

I moaned in pain, my eyes slowly blinking open to only see a dimly lit basement.

Wonderful...I'm still alive...

Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks as I felt the pain course through my back at the slightest movement, my arms wrapped around my upper body. Pulling my knees to my stomach, I finally let the sob escape my lips. I hadn't felt this weak and helpless since I had been a prisoner to Prince Kalyn. My energy was spent holding onto my life, my broken body was the last thing I could do anything about.

In the state I was in, I couldn't heal myself even if I wanted to. I had absolutely no energy...

No...go away!

The door at the top of the stairs opened quietly, shutting even quieter behind the shadow that was descending the steps. Shutting my eyes tightly, I heard the cage door opening, the bars scrapping just loud enjoy for me to flinch in terror. He's already back. He's going to hurt me or kill me.

I yelped in surprise as I felt a hand gently touch my bruised cheek. That same hand quickly silenced me, whispering, "It's okay."

My eyes gradually opened, adjusting to see the concerned expression that Hendrix held for me. His warm amber eyes searched my face while he knelt beside the "bed". Placing his index finger to his lips, he brought his hand away from my mouth, craning his neck to check on me. I remained still, even when he rose and gently examined my back.

When his fingertips ran over my shoulder, my eyes altered to their electric blue, stifling my cry as his eyes met mine once again. I could see it there...lingering deep within those two spheres. Hendrix thought whatever enticing energy that radiated from me was love...but it wasn't.

It was just lust.

Withdrawing the need deep within me to survive at any cost.

That's not what he thought, kneeling beside me once more as he growled lowly, "Mine."

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To Seduce a Succubus by K. A. Young.

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