Forsaken & Claimed

Chapter 9

Pandora

I spun, facing the stomach of the last member. The heat from his body radiated off of him like a flame—a source of comfort and pain.

"Well, I would hate to ruin your grind fest," I said, averting my gaze.

He gave a light chuckle, "It seemed like you enjoyed it more than us."

My face burned, "Maybe not as much as you think."

My nerves were on edge as I tried to think of an escape. I need to get this tablet back to the team. Their intense eyes made me fidget under their gaze. His glowing light brown eyes emit warmth.

"I'm Owen," he said, closing the little distance left between us.

Pointing to green eyes, "He's Ares."

"And Casimir. We have a private section upstairs care for a drink?" he asked with his head cocked to the side.

"I can't. Only good girls get to drink."

What the hell am I doing?

"That's something we may be able to help you with." his smug grin made me want to slap him while at the same time curious.

He held out his hand, and I took it without hesitation. He guided me to the staircase that led to the upper floor. We ascend to the dark catwalk stopping at the last room. Ares and Casimir hold the curtains for us as we entered the secluded room. They take a seat on the couch that's across from the small table, both with a shot of HelIfire.

"Are you enjoying the celebration?" Owen asked. He led me to a spot in between Ares and Casimir, then took a seat across from us.

"Yes. It's always exciting meeting new people. Your accent, northerners?" I said.

"We are. Most people confuse us, for southerners," he said with a smile.

The air becomes thick, and the heat from their bodies makes me tingle. The music seems to fade into the background. Knowing anything could happen makes my skin hot and heart skip a beat.

"Do you know any?" Ares asked.

"Southerners? Yes. We have a diverse community."

"I meant Northerners."

Just one that I haven't heard from since that night. I shouldn't have shown him. Maybe we could've had more time.

"Who knows," I said.

"How about a game?" he asked.

"I love games. What're the rules?"

"Each of us asks you, Truth or Spank and you choose. Lies are punished." Ares said, handing me the shot.

"Do I get a turn to ask questions?"

"Of course," Ares said.

"You're first. Truth." I said, absorbing the shot.

"What is your fear?" Ares asked.

"Coming hot out the gate, are we?"

"Not answering is considered a lie but worth two infractions. If you're honest, I'll shave one-off." Owen said.

"Being caged. Truth."

"What do you do for a living?" Owen asked.

"I work in a flower shop."

"Back at two. The last one," he said.

"Truth," I said

"Do you know anything about the rebel leader Shadow?" Casimir asked, handing me the last shot.

"Who doesn't know something? What is--" Casimir's stare silenced my lips.

"That's two more. Such a dirty mouth. We'll have to fix that." Casimir said, removing his belt.

There were too many people here; he's insane. What if someone sees?

"I thought this was a game," I said.

"It is, and you lose," Owen said, taking the belt.

"Best out of--"

"The time for words has passed," his voice rumbled but held promises of something more. He cleared the table placing the items on the couch beside him.

"Come to me," he said.

Their eyes leered at me. That intense pressure returns, filling me with excitement and fear. I must be drunk. This is not happening.

"1. 2. 3-"

I walked over and stood between his legs. A warm sensation starts to radiate in my belly.

"Be a good girl. Place your hands on the table."

The short glass table felt cool, but my hamstrings burned in the stretched position. Ares and Casimir continued to look on. A longer skirt would've been better.

"Do you have safe words?" Owen asked.

"Yes. Red and yellow."

"Count after each one. If you miss a number, I will add another," he said.

Thud.

The shock of impact took my breath away. It's a soft clap leaving its warm print behind.

"One."

"Good."

Thud.

"Two."

He smacks the same spot with precision. The potency of it leaves a stinging sensation. With every number, the force increases. My panting dissolves into hisses and gasps. An ache takes hold of my lower half as he brings it down for the final time. The spot feels hot when he massages it outward unrushed. His other hand begins to trace my cleft.

Thick fingertips caress my throbbing bud through my moist panties. He discovered one of my secrets. I stifled the moan that's built in my throat. His eyes light up, accepting the challenge. I shut my legs tight, trying to resist the opiate touch.

"You know how to have fun," Owen said as he caressed my clit.

His fingers picked up the pace. My body, on the edge of shattering as that sharp pain returns. Why now? A flaming sensation engulfed my skull. He pulled his fingers away, and my heightened state flatlined. Their eyes are bewildered. Reaching for the hottest area, my fingers graze a hard object. My chest tightens.

What the hell?

Eyes wide, I frantically touched and tugged at the new sharp addition. My stomach churned as I shuffled through my bag for a mirror.

"What the fuck did y'all do to me!"

My hands shook as I gazed upon glowing pink eyes and straight horns.

"Grab her now. We have to report this," Owen's sultry tone was replaced with urgency as he hurried off. The room started to spin; a rough yank from the chair brought me to my feet.

"I got her, come on," Casimir said.

"I thought female warriors were kept under lock and key," Ares asked.

Boom!

We fell to the ground, and the crowd went into a panicked frenzy. I leaped up with my bag and dashed the stairs—a steel grip wrapped around my wrist. I swung the bag with all my strength and hit Ares in the face. He lost his grip, and I sprinted for my goal. I pushed through the crowd and hit the back exit.

I pressed on the earpiece," Vicky? Are you guys ok? What the hell was that?"

"Yeah, we're fine. It was your out. We were worried when you went dark for so long," she said.

"I'll meet you guys at the rondeau point. I have the comm tablet, but it might have been damaged during the escape," I said.

"Don't worry. I can pull the information," Adam said.

"Great, I'll see y'all then."

My knees buckled as I stumbled into an alley. You're such a liar, Celia. I grabbed the horns and pulled hard. An unrecognizable sound erupted from my throat. The flaming pain returned.