Serpentine Desires

The prey

I paced back and forth, my feet sinking into the soft carpet, but the pressure in my chest made me feel like I was suffocating. Guttural noises filled my ears. And I realised it's my breathing.

The room felt too small. The walls too close, and the silence was too loud. My fingers tugged at the ends of my sweater, twisting the fabric between them as if it might help me think, help me breathe.

But it still didn't. I was not doing anything wrong. Then why was I feeling this way? Every second that ticked by crawled beneath my skin, making it harder to keep still. My heart was a wild animal caged in my ribcage, hammering against my chest.

I've been up for past some hours now. And the fact that I could still hear Ivan's words in my ears should be alarming. Was I really thinking of going against Judas? The Judas Romanovski?

What was I thinking? He'd grill me raw, maybe have a bite or two to make sure he could taste my fear on his tongue.

Ivan said his brother was a big-shot, but was he really as big as Ivan claimed him to be? Damn it!

My hands threaded through my hair and I wanted to pull them. I'd never ever think of going against Judas in this life time of upcoming lives, cause I know what that man wa made of, but this life.... I looked around. This life was not mine. It was not even a life. A prisone. Gilded cage.

Where is wait for longer to arrive and feast on me.

Pain and humiliation. That's what he had ever offered me.

But did I want him to inflict more of that? No. No, no, no.

I attempted to calm my heart but I couldn't.
A sharp knock on the door made me freeze.

I turned, eyes locking on the entrance just as Kyle's deep voice cut through the silence. "Come out, food's ready."

And him. How would I distract him? There was no way he'd let me leave even if I cry. What was Ivan thinking?

I swallowed, but my throat was too dry. I didn't want food, but I knew Kyle wouldn't leave it alone if I refused. Fixing my hair, I entered the dining area and saw him placing plate of freshly cut fruits and pancakes in the table.

I was about to tell him I was not hungry when his phone rang. He frowned, glancing at the screen before answering it.

I watched him, trying to read his face, but Kyle's expressions were always a damn mystery. His eyes darted toward me once before he turned slightly, his voice low and terse as he spoke to whoever was on the other line. A few moments later, he hung up, his gaze falling back on me.

"I have to leave for a few hours," clipped words echoed. "Stay in the suite. It's Sunday. You don't have classes. Don't go anywhere."

As if I could if he lock the door.

My stomach twisted, the confusion tightening inside me like a knot. Kyle was always hovering, breathing down my neck. How was Ivan supposed to get me out of here when Kyle was so... present?

I nodded stiffly as Kyle grabbed his jacket and left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him. The silence returned, heavier now. I stood there, feeling the cold fingers of anxiety creep up my spine. I wasn't alone. Not really. Ivan was waiting—somewhere.

What do I do?

Minutes passed, maybe more, and then the doorbell rang. My heart skipped a beat, and I stilled, my breath catching in my throat as the doorknob twisted.

Panic surged through me and a wave of confusion and fear crashed into my chest. My breath hitched, fingers twitching as the weight of dread settled over me. Who it could be? Did Kyle return?