I stopped, my brain freezing as I realized something very, very important, that Benedict had ignored when I’d asked in the great hall about the women. Or rather, the lack of them. There were female drakens, weren’t there? There had to be. Every species had females, didn’t they? Come to think of it, I never heard mention of any female demons. D’Arcy had said there had never been a woman in Dark Haven before. My kidnapping suddenly made a much more agonizing, awful sense. Had I just made the biggest mistake of my life?
“Are you ready?”
A bang on my bedroom door caused me to jump, and I hurriedly unbraided my hair, letting it flow loose around my shoulders. I raced over to the wardrobe and grabbed the black traveling cloak hanging on the right. I flung it over my shoulders, sighing in relief as it covered the shape of my body. I did appreciate the new pair of leather boots next to the bed and slipped them on gratefully. With a bit more confidence I opened the door, only to find Benedict pacing. His eyes gave me a brief once-over, lingering at the crude modifications I made with clothing. I gave him a challenging look in return, and he rolled his eyes.
“You’re late.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he had already grabbed me and tugged me through the passageway. I planted my feet on the stone floor, afraid. He growled and yanked me towards him. I flew into his chest, banging my head against the hard planes of his body.
“It would be cowardly to back out now.” His eyes judged me, finding me clearly wanting. I wanted to smack him again, or at least talk back, now that I knew I wouldn’t be punished for it.
“It is difficult to be cowardly when you have no idea what is going on, especially when the man who kidnaps you doesn’t even offer his name!” I might have been shouting. His eyes widened, then narrowed in suspicion.
“You don’t know who I am?” The shock in his voice was genuine, and about the only thing that snapped through my torrent of rage. Both of us relaxed, letting go of each other. I looked at my feet nervously.
“D’Arcy called you Benedict. I assume that’s your name?” I glanced up warily to find his head cocked to the side, studying me intensely.
“Yes. And you are Wren.”
I pushed forward, wanting—no needing—more answers.
“And you’re all...drakens?” He blinked slowly. I looked away, unable to stand that fiery, purple gaze.
“Why me?” I finally managed, still unable to figure out what this handsome, strong creature would possibly want with me.
“You were there. I chose you.” He made it sound so simple.
“And the ‘crying blonde’? What about her?"
He snorted, an animalistic sound that reminded me of the horses back in the stables.
“She was a deal with Crullfed; a human female sacrificed to the drakens, and in return, I released a debt he owed me. I took you instead.”
How did he do that, answering my questions only to create more?
“But why?” I couldn’t put into words why this was so important; why it mattered that this man, this...draken had chosen me over a beautiful, young blonde who could likely fetch a small fortune at any auction.
“You said yes.”
He said with a finality that quelled any other questions I had. I tripped as he yanked me forward again, wondering if all drakens were this pushy, or just men in general. He gave me a second shove, and my temper snapped. I was not a dog or a cow, and I would be damned if I were led to my slaughter like one.
He raised his hand over his head, and I instantly panicked, thinking he was going to strike me. My knife was free from its tie at my waist and buried in his shoulder a second later. I didn’t have time to regret my actions as he whirled around, hissing in pain. Stars exploded against my eyes as he threw me into the stone wall, more by reflex than intention, if the moment of panic on his face was anything to go by. I fell as my vision swam, stunned by the blow. He pulled the knife from his shoulder, his lips thinned in displeasure. The wound healed over and was gone before the knife clattered on the ground. If I’d done this at the breeding house, I would be dead without question.
“Was that your grand plan to murder me? Crullfed put you up to it, didn’t he? This was his plan the whole time! That’s why you agreed to come with me!” He sounded genuinely upset, and I think
