ESCAPE

Punishment

When the meeting was over the guards released the women in groups of five to go get dinner. It was already morning the next day but that didn't seem to bother anyone. The women had tired looks and some yawned. Everyone had been released except me. When Rain and Meg had left they had given me worried looks but I had shaken my head. No one else should get hurt. My whole body was buzzing with adrenaline and I was anxious to find out what was going to happen. Every sense was on edge and I could identify Ajax's footsteps as he came back into the ballroom. I refused to look at him. The chain around my neck was pulled up and I choked against the collar. He stared into my eyes and boy was angel boy pissed.

"How dare you." He growled, "You were taught better. I had to make you seem like a wild animal in the zoo to not be shamed."

"Poor you." I hissed, "I'm so sorry I acted like a wild animal in the zoo I thought that's what I was."

He slapped me. The bastard slapped me.

"You will learn how to behave." He growled

I reached out and grabbed the hand that was holding my chain. My nails raked down his skin drawing blood. He let go instantly with a roar. I grabbed the chain and yanked it, but it didn't budge.

"It's not actually gold. Iron keeps whatever abilities you have at bay. Having it this color just makes you look pretty." Ajax said

I watched his muscles coil and just as he jumped at me I twisted away. The golden chain now wrapped around his neck.

"Is that what this does?" I said with a smirk

His wings were splayed out and I twisted the chain in one hand and pulled. He struggled against me his wings striking at me, but there was no way in hell I was letting go. One of his wings nearly hit my face and as I went to block it I grabbed a handful of his feathers. The movement of his wing ripped them out and he howled.

"I'm going to kill you for that." He said in a choked whisper

Shit. I was still chained and collared. Guards would be here any second and I didn't take his threat lightly.

"Asteria this is your last chance to let me go." He warned

I pulled the chain tighter. If I was gonna die I was going to take him with me.

"Women are not slaves asshole and one day people like you are going to learn that." I screamed

A large blast of air sent me flying out of a glass window behind me that I had not realized was there. I was still chained to the wall and the only thing keeping me from hanging was Ajax. His wings were stuck against the doorframe and he was glaring at me. The golden chain was still around his neck.

"Fine you want to be free. Go!" He hissed at me

The link connecting the chain to the wall was disconnected and he unwrapped it from his neck. He let the chain drop from his hands and I screamed.

I was falling. The room we had been in overlooked a cliff. It was too dark for me to even see what was under me or how far down it was, but judging by the glint in Ajax's eyes as I fell there was no coming back from it. I was going to die, but at least I was free. The air rushed against me and the sun peaked out from behind the horizon. I felt so peaceful and closed my eyes.

That's when I fell against something hard. My breath wooshed out of me. I felt cold and the air was now pushong against me. A harsh breeze hit my face. Someones iron grip surrounded me and I welcomed the Lord of Death to take me away. There was freedom in death and happiness surged through me.

But I was still alive. I opened my eyes and stared straight into the eyes of Ajax. His large black wings blocked the sunrise.

"You'll never be free." He said and I blacked out