Blood Vengeance [COMPLETED]

Chapter Sixteen - Upstaged

Selene froze, unable to form any kind of response at all. The shock was so complete that she felt like someone had torn the floor apart beneath her feet and let her fall through the hole.

The closest friend, if she could call her that, that Selene had ever had, was Arthur's chosen, and exclusive, mistress.

Was Cecily the girl Arthur had pleasured whilst she, Selene, had been locked up in the room next door? Had Cecily been strapped into that chair; stood inside that cage? Had she enjoyed it?

Selene felt a hot sweat bead on her forehead and she pressed a hand to it.

"Are you alright?" asked the girl who had spoken before. "You've gone a queer colour."

"What? Oh. Yes. I just need some fresh air."

The girl laughed. "You won't get that here."

Of course not, because this was a prison; a hell hole with no windows.

"I can't stay in here," she said, raising the hem of her dress, taking one last look at Arthur as he sat at the other end of the room, laughing at something jackie had said.

As Selene left the room, telling the guards she needed to use the bathroom, she felt a disappointment, a sadness, descend and cling to her skin like a rash.

She took a turn down a narrow corridor, not knowing where she was going, and not caring.

Suddenly she was grabbed from behind, strong arms wrapping around her waist. She gasped, but a hand clamped around her mouth.

"Where do you think you are going?"

Arthur.

He released her mouth and pulled her round to face him. The sight of his features, twisted with anger, filled Selene with terror. But still his delicious scent called out to other parts of her body, and she felt a current of excitement vibrate through her.

"I need some fresh air. I feel sick."

"You cannot just walk out of a ceremony like that. It makes you conspicuous."

"Well I am sure you following me didn't help on that front," she said, pulling away from him, struggling, but unable to free herself from his grip.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, his features softening only a little. His tone was still one full of wrath.

"You. You're what's wrong with me!." She twisted again and he let go of her. He dropped his arms to his sides and waited for her to continue. "You pretend you want me; you look at me like...but it's not true. You have a girl already."

"What are you talking about?" Incredulity inflated his words.

"Cecily." Selene felt the threat of tears; her throat engorged and her eyes throbbed.

But then Arthur did something Selene did not expect: he smiled.

"Let me get this straight; the girl who is in love with my brother, who delights in reminding me of that fact at every possible opportunity, is angry because I'm fucking some girl she used to dance with?" He pressed his lips together for a second, and then began to laugh; a low rumble of a laugh that bounced off the walls of the corridor they stood in. "Am I right?"

Selene didn't know how to respond. Of course he was right, but it made her sound foolish; nothing more than a petulant teenager. Suddenly she felt very young and inexperienced, and the inequality in their years felt like a gulf that could never be crossed.

"I won't give her up, Zero. I'm really rather attached to her. And she's very responsive in the chair; a real delight to work with." His lips trembled in an almost-smile the whole time he spoke. Finally, he smirked.