They closed the gap left in my wake as I entered the arena.
It was a surprisingly small area.
But then, it didn’t need to be big.
In the middle of the space was an object I had initially taken for a bed.
But it wasn’t.
It more closely resembled a kind of altar.
Carved from hard and brutal rock, I supposed it must have some kind of special meaning to these people.
Pillars lined the space on this floor and the one above, and further still.
Leaning against the railings were an endless stream of Shadows.
And there were cameras too, so creatures at home could enjoy the fun.
A shudder tore through me and I grimaced.
“Stand,” Hefty said.
She pointed to a spot before a dais.
The twelve Shadow Elders sat upon it in thrones.
The one that had claimed to be my second, snapped to attention, his long black nose quivering with excitement.
The Elder stood up and clapped his claws.
The low harsh whispers among the gathered turned silent.
He raised his head and his voice boomed off the sterile walls.
“Today we join to celebrate the merging of a new species of breeders,” he said. “It is a celebration going back eons, since the great Breaking, when we were forced from our homes to this place. But worry not my faithful subjects, soon we shall return, and we shall return with a vengeance!”
The crowd of onlookers clapped and cheered.
Trained seals at a zoo display couldn’t perform better.
“Today, we introduce to you our new breeding partners… The humans!”
He spread his claws toward me.
The crowd roared even louder.
Hefty whispered to me:
“Wave.”
It took a moment for my hand to rise.
I could fight the effects of the medicine but eventually lost out.
Could I break free and use the training Vai had given me?
Could I bury a blade in Iav’s back before this was over?
Maybe there was still a chance I could escape.
“They have vast numbers,” the Elder continued, “and each year, we shall harvest more and more of them, further unlocking the ability to claim them as our mates. They are delicious in appearance and come in many different shapes and sizes.”
He could have been talking about a new brand of ice cream.
“Today, we begin the first day in a new era. Today, we claim our first human mate!”
The other Elders got to their feet and clapped.
The crowd whistled, fraught with excitement.
I was glad at least someone was pleased.
“And now let me introduce to you our claimer of the human race! Come forth, Champion Iav!”
The Elder led the applause.
The crowd parted at the far end of the arena and Iav stepped forward.
He wore a crimson red robe with gold lapels and string.
My stomach fell between my feet.
“Stand beside the tablet,” Hefty ordered.
As I approached it, resisting every step, she bowed to the Elders and took her leave.
I stood beside the stone tablet, my fingers shivering and my legs struggling to come under their own power.
Maybe, if I could delay him somehow, slow him down, give myself a little more time, I could use my body again…
And even if I only managed to escape halfway through the torturous event, it would be better to escape than not escape at all.
I stood by the tablet facing the Elder.
He took a seat and Iav stepped up beside me.
“Welcome, Champion of humans,” the Elder said. “We owe you a great debt of gratitude. Take her and put your seed in her belly.”
The Elder’s eyes shone like dark rubies.
Iav turned to me.
I didn’t want to look at him while he fucked me.
It was bad enough he would do this to me.
I didn’t want to have to watch him do it too.
The crowd fell silent as they watched.
Iav stood before me.
I stared at his chest.
It was thick with muscle.
He’s going to destroy me…
Worse, there were going to be plenty more after he was done with me…
He would finally achieve what he wanted all this time.
To claim me for his own.
It’d been my stupid pride that led me here.
Everyone made mistakes but not everyone had to pay such a high price for it.
That fiery anger burned in my chest, only now it battled overwhelming fear.
My breaths came slow and haggard.
He reached down with his hand and placed his finger under my chin.
Then he gently raised it so I would look at him.
I peered out the corner of my eyes, not wanting to look into his golden irises.
I couldn’t help the tears that formed.
I wished I didn’t show him how weak I was.
Not when he might use that knowledge against me.
Iav lacked Vai’s kindness, his generosity.
He was evil, bad, and I didn’t want to muddy the memories I had with Vai with this evil creature.
“Emma.”
That was it all it took.
A single word.
It could have been any word.
But he had chosen my name.
Hearing that timbre of his voice, that soft subtle edge that Iav lacked.
And the gentle caress of his forefinger under my chin.
He gently stroked me, sending chills sprinting over my body.
I was afraid now more than ever.
Maybe I had only imagined I heard hearing Vai’s sweet voice from Iav’s throat.
Maybe I had only believed it because I was desperate to.
Maybe it was for the best.
I would rather go into the next few hours of torture believing a lie than the truth.
At least then I could live with myself.
I slowly dragged my eyes over his.
The glinting golden irises were identical.
When he smiled, it lit up those heavenly curls at the corners of his eyes and added those delicious dimples to his cheeks.
And I knew in an instant, the way a parent can tell their twin children apart with just the barest of glances, that this was indeed Vai.
Was it a cruel trick?
A way to further destroy my spirits so Iav could take advantage of me even further?
Was this what he meant when he said he was going to treat me more roughly?
It was none of those things, I told myself.
It was Vai.
Somehow, despite all the odds, he was right here, standing before me now.
I don’t know how he
