Chains of Fate

4

Aria

The mating ball was coming up and Kain was stressed, I was paying for it. Pain bloomed under my eye, the red tendrils crawling through the flesh, licking fire and starbursts across my skin.

I was currently tied up, face-first against the billiard room wall, arms and legs outstretched. Little pinpricks of pain sprouted across my back, blossoming red blood. This was his newest punishment. It was the night of the ball and they knew they couldn't touch me at risk of staining their suits but they still found a way. A silver target was painted on my back and the needles of darts now embedded it, like a galaxy of silver and blood. I knew this was insurance, a silent warning of what would happen if I screwed up tonight.

From what I could gather the Alpha King was coming, the hushed whispers circulated the walls. But I relished in this torture, it was delaying my inevitable silence in silver. I dreaded that moment so instead of dwelling on it, I decided to enjoy this thin veil between torture, a mirage of silver.

To my dismay, I didn't fall unconscious, I wasn't allowed, apparently, I still needed more convincing of my silence. Alpha Kain walked me back to his room allowing me to see the hollowed pain of my former comrades, lining the halls in all their horrid glory.

I saw Lila her expression frozen in metal, the same it had been when I killed her. When I buried her. My spot stood next to her, the silver block engraved with my name lay empty of its finishing touches. It awaited my frozen, cold body to finally give it a finality, peace.

I soon tasted my enviable fate, the silver-coated my lips, filling my nose with its acidic nature. Forcing my mind to sleep, leaving all other senses awake. With the burning metal consuming my brain I wondered when I would join my fellow maidens, it was due.

-

I awoke in agony, as usual, I had become one with the metal, it burned my skin, feeling as if acid was eating through my flesh, dripping into my life supply, tainting the last drops of my blood.

Faintly through the pain, I could hear Kain and his friends trailing through the halls, the ball must be over and they're looking to celebrate. I tried desperately to return to darkness, letting the sulphuric tendrils consume me once more but alas fate had other plans for me.
'Love your... Décor, Alpha Kain.' An unfamiliar voice comments, 'What happened to this one?'

'Oh Aria? Yeah someone broke it, it should be back soon. But it might be a bit longer since the guy has been quiet.' The subtle threat lay in the air, clearly meant for my benefit.

The unknown voice speaks again clearly bored of this new subject, 'So where's your office? We have important things to discuss.'

The thudding of my heart quietened as their footsteps faded towards Alphas office. I was thankful for the sprays that coated my skin concealing me from this new threat. I feared Kain was to sell me, like the man before him.

Since my cage was unlocked to avoid Kain from touching the silver, and because I had nowhere else to go. I crept into the darkness towards the remains of my life. I quickly grasped the bundle of ageing paper, hoping the familiar words would soothe my mind, distracting me from my fate, whatever they would be.

I had always been certain of my future. To join my friends trapped in silver, forever frozen in time. But now I'm uncertain. This mystery man could destroy my life, drag out the inevitable, ruin what was left of my short life. I curled back up into a ball in my cage, picking apart my flesh that donned the silver. I relived the memories of those who were lost, absorbing myself on the faded ink, chipped silver falling next to the pages.

-

I heard Alpha Kain outside returning from his meeting, each step insinuated fear in what was left of my soul, I bundled the papers and hid them behind me hoping that he would not find them. I heard muffled voices beyond the rotating wall, I steeled myself, removing all emotion from my body, ready for whatever was next.

I know I should return the letters to their rightful place, but I'm selfish because if I am leaving, I want my memories with me, robbing the next of some kind of peace. But I don't know if I care, I'm broken, I have no soul left, and I don't care if I'm a terrible person.

Because I am nothing.

I hear a thump against my wall, the weight on the other side reveals a sliver of the room outside. 'What the hell?' Exclaims the unknown man. The wall swings open suddenly, revealing me to my small audience.

I go numb, filtering all emotion from my body, becoming nothing.