The minutes seemed like hours, the hours seemed centuries. She lost track of time in that place. She knew that it had been dark a while ago because the place had gone dark with only the slight reflection of the moon on the water in the tub.
She settled down leaning on a wooden column and moving her aching buttocks to the side. At least the pain in his knees had lessened, but not the bruises that formed. She put her hand to her forehead. Her fever had risen, the slight cold sweat lowered the woman's tunic that had been worn for her and the slight dizziness not only from the disease, they were the confirmation of that. She hugged herself trying to find some warmth that did not reach her.
She was exhausted from everything. This was one of those moments that told her to let go of everything and close her eyes and forget that the world existed. In the end she had no regrets. She was not a vindictive person and knowing how weak she was, she could not hope to kill the man who had annihilated his family. It would only be taking risks in vain. Thinking about it coldly, she realized that she had nothing to bind her to this world. If she could die and no one would care. Clinging to life as she did sometimes only brought misfortune.
She let her heavy lids hide all the light from her eyes and plunged into darkness, but his rest was negligible when the door was flung open and the light of a lamp illuminated the entire place.
-Wake up, the master wishes to see you- the same servant who had thrown her there before was now coming to look for her and as if reading the environment, Jade's entire body began to tremble. Something told him she shouldn't go.
She tried to back away but the servant pulled out a knife and waved it with his free hand in front of his face with a smile.
-My lord told me that if you gave problems I could have fun with you, believe me, I have several ways to do it- Jade could tell that the boy's face was pleasant if it were not for his frown most of the time and that sinister look he gave him.
The images of when her body was marked passed quickly and the memory of the pain was present. Swallowing hard, feeling her throat ache, she staggered to her feet, leaning back against her spine. He hadn't realized how weak she was until that moment. Everything around her was spinning and she felt cold, very cold.
-Come on- the servant ordered in a demanding voice and Jade only had to order her body to listen to him and move.
She did it slowly until she was able to walk in a not very straight line. Behind her, she was grateful that this Izen did not push her, but she would fall without much elegance and from there she would not be able to get up.
They went through three corridors, two of them leading to the central garden of the house, one exquisitely decorated with white stone ornaments, and a small stream with lotus flowers. Unlike where they were, many of the rooms in that place that seemed larger than from the outside were illuminated.
They stopped in front of a door and Izen knocked with his knuckles.
-My lord, it's already here-
They received no response but the servant opened the door and ordered him to enter. Jade hesitated until she saw the knife peek over the edge of the man's sash. She stepped into the room and when she felt the door close behind her, she had to use all her strength not to crumble.
The room where she was, unlike the others, was lit more dimly. The red stained walls lightened with white curtains gave both an intriguing and exotic feel. The windows were slightly open allowing the slight breeze to cool the place causing her skin to crawl even more, because despite knowing that her skin was hot, it was cold inside.
-Come closer- the same deep voice she had heard that time echoed in the room and Jade reflexively stuck to the door behind her body for support. She swallowed hard and blinked to focus his gaze.
At the end of that place there was an immense bed with exuberant curtains and sheets scattered everywhere accompanying that man who now more closely gave him a totally different feeling from that time.
His ill-fitting tunic dropped to one of his shoulders, exposing his broad chest, too defined to the height of his marked abdomen. In the position that was one of his shapely legs was also in the air and did nothing to hide it, a body that seemed to have been working for a long time.
His long hair that seemed lighter, to the point of appearing brown, moved and hugged his body like snakes wanting to wrap themselves in it. And his face made the woman lose her breath. Lips in a fine line that denoted self-confidence, a slim nose and those eyes, a color that could be lost between amber and gold framed in thick lashes. Even Jade had to admit that this man would be the one for a perfect night, but it was not her case.
She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. This man must be Vladek, and his life was now in his hands.
-Come closer- she heard him say again after releasing a puff of smoke leaving the cigarette holder aside.
The girl had no choice but to listen to him and advanced until she was in front of him separated by at least two meters. She saw him tilt his face and blink as if in analysis.
-It has been years, but I can still remember those eyes-
Jade was surprised by those words, at least she didn't remember it, didn't even know it existed. He was simply aware that his name came from the color of his eyes
-I'm Jade, my father…- She bowed when she was interrupted.
-I already know that part of the story, I didn't think he would have the nerve to ask me for something like that-
The girl pursed her lips.
-Take off your veil- he ordered.
Jade took a step back, pressing the veil against her face.
-I'm sorry, I shouldn't, my face is disfigured, I'm afraid it will alarm you- he lied in a certain way.
She could not reveal the secret that she was the one who had the mark that defined her as the map, she had to keep that part hidden as well as possible or that man, whom she did not trust, could deliver it or use it.
He didn't like the look he got. The color of Vladek's eyes had deepened and before Jade could react he was lying between the covers with the man's body on him.
Panic seized the girl. She felt her body trapped under that stranger who was looking at her without any interest while the hair caressed her face making her tickle uncomfortably. A lump formed in her throat and she couldn't help biting her lips until they hurt. Every muscle in his body was tense and immobilized, she had to get out of there but she didn't know how. -I don't like rebellious people- Vladek's deep voice alarmed her, the brightness of those eyes devouring her from top to bottom- Take off the flight- he demanded. Jade visibly trembled and, managing to move her hands, she pressed the veil again with one and the other brought it to her chest, preventing the robe from opening. Vladek realized that the little person below him was beyond terrified, to the point of collapse. The color had left what he could see of his face and his pupils were so dilated that he could see himself in them. Still, it would strain his defenses a bit more. If he was not the p
Jade walked as fast as her body allowed behind Vladek. That morning he had only ordered her to follow him without further explanation and had no choice but to do so, despite wanting to stay in bed all day. And asking questions was not something she could have as an alternative. Her temperature must have risen a little more and she felt like the inner robe was sticking to her skin, being repulsive. Even if it wasn't a hot day, she felt suffocated and shivered with cold. Vladek hadn't paid attention to her condition or asked her anything. Had it been okay to trust him? She still didn't know. He was not a man of many words. Now he was walking fast without looking back. Their robes ranged from browns to whites with a few odd weaves. His hair flowed softly behind her, and his robes gave off a delicious smell of cinnamon that nothing hit him but made the women turn in his wake. He was the type of person who attracted attention even inadvertently. After several minu
Vladek hated what it was. Others wanted to have his ability, his genes, his nature, but he was different. When you are 379 years old, the story was not pleasant especially having a path of misfortunes on your back. He had seen many people die in front of him, especially those who discovered his secret, but what marked him the most were those who had been an important part of him. He had longed for death several times but as a wolf he could not easily seek his death and his strength had built up in such a way that his body would not surrender to anyone, even if he wanted to. He cursed his life over and over again. Sigh. Concentrating, he let the blood inside him flow freely as it rarely did. He maintained absolute control over his instincts and only let them go when necessary, or doing so would have serious consequences. He was too violent when he put his mind to it. He opened his eyes, they had turned an intense golden color and the pupil had been red
Blood ran down the white wolf's back, making a trail behind him. Other injuries on his body made it difficult for him to advance faster, even though there were at least five men behind him, pursuing him. It hurt, his blood burned inside, his betrayal of him. If I could I would rip his neck off and eat his heart and then throw it up. Vladek advanced trying to leave that immense property, but the more he advanced the more it seemed that the exit was moving away, it must be because of the painkillers with which the weapons that attacked him were bathed. The owner of that mansion had threatened to reveal his existence and although Vladek had wanted to kill him right there, he remembered the words of his father claiming that they owed much to that family. Although it was that same family that extracted a large amount of money from its own reserves. He advanced until he began to stagger awkwardly. He had to stop for a few seconds to catch his breath and focus his eyes when
Jade could feel the bigger man's breath on her face. His eyes were deep and she could swear they changed slightly in color. She swallowed hard. He asked her to surrender. Her greatest fear came true but she had mentally prepared herself for it despite the panic building inside her. She closed her eyes and nodded hoping his body would be attacked and raped, but it didn't happen. Vladek got off her and walked to the door. -I will call Izen to take care of you and dress you, we will leave as soon as possible. The girl sat up on the bed still confused, the action made her dizzy but she was able to compose herself. -Where we go?- -To the only place where there are people who can decipher what is in your body- and immediately he left the room Minutes later Izen entered with some clothes in her hands and protesting. -I can't believe that I was brutally deceived by a little girl, this is unheard of, Mr. Vladek must be really up
Jade could swear that she was leaving a part of her soul with every step she took. She had exercised in her life, little, her sword training counted, but that was nothing compared to now. She was climbing the steepest slope she had ever seen. It was a rocky mountain with very uneven terrain with hardly any plants on the sides. The floor was made of stones and dirt and her feet slipped easily. The large stones next to her had sharp surfaces so holding on to them was dangerous, especially if you thrashed with one. And what bothered her the most. That although she spent the greatest work in the world to advance even a few meters, Vladek and Izen, five meters in front of her, climbed as if they were walking down a street. They hadn't even bothered to see if she was following them. Good thing Vladek had said he had to protect her, apparently that only included the people who were behind her skin, not the possibility of breaking her neck in a fall. She managed to c
Selam, alpha of the pack and father of Vladek, stopped and slammed a fist into his son's face without holding back, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. The attacked man just got up and looked straight at him without saying anything, rubbing the place of the blow that soon began to lose its reddish color. The hustle and bustle had died down and by the door, several people were crowding one another to see what was happening. -Do you have any idea how worried your mother is? – -Not a single news from you- He nodded again. -You are not coming to visit us- He nodded again. -Something to say in your favor? – Vladek this time denied. -Good- the alpha, from a cold expression to a smile -Welcome son- he surrounded his neck and drew him roughly, almost suffocating him- You arrived at a good time, join the party- Jade who was cautious behind Izen's back was atomic with the outcome of it all. From a tense atmo
Jade felt her body move over Vladek's shoulder and began to pound his back. That position only made her eyes fill more with tears. It was humiliating to be treated that way and her depression only increased further. -Let go of me- she sobbed louder and louder -Let me go- and began to giggle to return to sobbing -Leave me alone. Let me die. Let me go with my dad and my mom Vladek paid no attention to the girl's words and just kept walking. "Let me go," Jade repeated as she felt the nausea reaching her throat. -Shut up, drunk girl. Next time I order Izen not to take his eyes off you- There was a silence followed by a sob.-Izen, Izen hates me- she rubbed his nose- You hate me too, everyone hates me- Vladek sighed. You didn't feel like hearing the wailing. He had seen her stumble out of the room while he entertained himself and had no choice but to follow behind knowing that his servant might be misplacing some