His Estranged Mate

Chapter 36: Bitten?!

CATRINA

I am staring into the darkness when the door to my room swings open and Lance walks in.

"Come on," he says and hauls me up by my elbow making me stumble a bit. I gasp in pain when his nails bite into my skin.

"I'll get up myself. Don't hurt me," I whisper and regain my balance. He grunts and then hands me a glass of water.

Being grateful, I drink it since my throat anyway is dry. After a glass, he hands me another one. He's being nice?

I just mutely take that glass and try to finish only half of it and then return it back to him. For a moment he just looks at the glass and then at me all the while frowning.

"Drink it," he orders and his voice is lower but gruffer. Not wanting to anger him, I drink all the water and hand it back to him.

Now he gives me a bottle of water and I stare at him in shock. What's this guy doing? I can't drink that much.

"Xanthos will come in the next hour. Finish this now," he growls loudly making me flinch and I literally grab the bottle from him and gulp it now. I feel nauseous with all that water but somehow do not retch.

"Hmm, good," he says once I am done and then takes the bottle from my hands.

"I'll be back in an hour. There's a toilet for your use. Don't even think of running because I can sense you. Even the slightest sound and I'll be on you in a second. Is it clear?" he threatens. I nod, mutely because I know that this is his promise. Now that I know that he's a rapist and a sadist for hurting his own kid, I don't want to be the victim of his wrath.

~~~~

Just as I walk out of the small closest sized bathroom, I bump into someone. Stumbling now and screaming at whoever it is, I back pedal and find the nearest wall, willing my eyes to adjust to the darkness.

"Shut up," growls Lance. I want to claw at his arrogant face but somehow even thinking about it makes me feel tired.

I just want him to let me go, I don't know what is Xanthos's agenda and now all this is getting on my nerves. I think I had almost an hour to think and during that time all I could think about was Lance's plans for me and Xanthos's plans for Fenris's kingdom. I need to make this Lance guy talk at least a little so that I get some idea of this situation.

Just when I am about to ask, he pulls at my hands and starts walking.

"Come on, it's time. Let's go," says Lance and pulls me roughly.

"Is Henry alright?" I ask, nervous that he's hurt the kid.

"Scared for him?" he asks and I nod.

"I won't kill my son. He'll be useful," he whispers and I wonder if he's using Henry as a messenger for their work. What if he sends Henry to collect the ransom?

"Walk faster, dormant," he growls again and this time pulls me so hard that I fear for my arm. I don't want to dislocate it, so I start jogging behind him.

He takes me from the corridor, down the stairs of this ruined castle and then into one of the rooms. The moment the door opens and after having a good look at the things inside, all I want to do is run and scream.

Scream, I do and when I turn to run, I am picked up by Lance and am actually thrown into the nearest corner of this room. I feel disoriented for a minute but then turn to the crowd in front of me.

All around me are females of different age groups. Oh my god! There is also a child and she's approximately 2-3 years old.

"Shut up, bitch," he growls but I keep shouting. I don't realise half of what I am saying but I can't help it. The state of all these girls is as if they are slaves. Female slaves. For flesh trade?