Brave But Cheated

Keres

Ash

I can't believe that I was so stupid to believe that Keres was my second chance mate. Flame keeps blaming himself for what happened because he couldn't speak to me to tell me not to reject Noctis.

Keres is keeping me in this cell somewhere. I have no idea where I am, but all I know is that it is scorching hot down here. She hasn't come and tried to get anything from me, I am just left here with people coming in to give me food and water once a day. In this heat it isn't enough but I will survive...for now.

She probably hates us right now. We will stay here until we finally die, Flame tells me.

Don't speak like that Flame, we will get out of here, I encourage.

No, we won't. Have you not figured out where we are yet? Come on Ash, think.

Think about what? You know where we are? Tell me Flame.

It's best if you don't know... Flame tells me before retreating to the back of my mind.

I stand up from the floor, swaying on my feet a bit from the dehydration and heat. I stumble to the metal bars and shout out to anyone who will listen.

"Let me out of this hellhole! Keres! Let me out of here!" I rasp out with my dry throat.

I can hear some chuckles not far from the cell but they walk right by me. I slump back onto the ground and think. Keres...Keres. I know that name from somewhere. Where do I know that name from? I know she is a witch, but there is something more.

Footfalls coming closer to the cell break me out of my thoughts. My head snaps towards the noise and I instantly regret it as my head starts spinning. My vision comes back into focus after a few seconds and the person is standing in front of the cell.

"Here," the man says and tosses me a bottle of water.

I have learned to never take it quickly and I should always sniff it first. One time they added wolfsbane to see me in pain. I have never been able to see the faces of my captures and they don't usually talk much.

"Why are you here?" The man asks.

"What?"

"I asked why you are here," he repeats.

"I have no clue. Keres brought me here after she tricked me into giving up my mate."

"Who's your mate?" He wonders.

"Noc....why do you want to know?" I stop myself.

"Just wondering."

"Why are you speaking with me? No one else ever does," I wonder.

"I am curious. We only have two other prisoners down here."

"Who are they?" I question.

"Answer my question first," he retaliated.

I sigh, "My mate is...was Noctis Kilo."

"Really? The one who eradicated over two hundred rogues in thirty minutes?"

"The one and only," I let out a nervous chuckle. I knew she killed a lot of rogues, but more than two hundred in thirty minutes? That's crazy. That's impossible.

"The other two prisoners are a witch, Maria Morris and a wolf, Braden. I don't know his last name, the lady wouldn't let it slip."

"How long have they been here?" I wonder.

"About five months maybe."

"Why are they here?" I ask.

"I have no idea."