The frozen heart

Chapter 31:Unmasking Shadows

Chapter 31

Kaiden's cold grip vanished from Anne's waist the moment they materialized in the new location, leaving her unsteady for a moment as her feet found solid ground. He immediately stepped back, creating distance between them as if her mere presence burned him. He didn't look at her, but his body was rigid, his movements sharp as he withdrew.

Anne took in her new surroundings—another prison, though different from the last. The room was larger, almost cavernous, with high, shadowy ceilings that made it feel more like a forgotten castle chamber. The walls were stone, but unlike the oppressive coldness from the previous room, this place had a strange, unfamiliar warmth, as if something ancient resided here, watching.

Her gaze flicked back to Kaiden, who was standing at a distance, his mask still in place, concealing his face. He was staring at her, unmoving, his eyes—what little she could see of them through the mask—focused intently on her. It was a study, an examination, as though he were trying to decipher something hidden beneath her skin.

Anne's heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to show fear. She straightened herself, gathering her courage, before breaking the suffocating silence. "So, what do you want me to do?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm and bitterness. "Now that I'm your personal whore and such."

The words hung in the air like poison. She watched him carefully for any reaction, and there it was—a barely perceptible flinch. It was small, almost unnoticeable, but Anne had spent enough time with him in the past to catch it. His body tensed, and for a brief moment, she saw something crack in his cold façade.

But just as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone. Kaiden turned on his heel, his back now to her, his voice low and controlled. "Make yourself at home."

Anne's eyes narrowed. That wasn't good enough. She had been dragged away, her life turned upside down, and now he wanted her to settle into some twisted routine? No. She wasn't going to let him get away with this without answers.

"No, really," she said, her voice growing louder as she took a step forward. "The first time you took me, you wanted me dead. So, what now?" Her frustration and anger bubbled to the surface. "What do you want from me this time?"

Kaiden stopped in his tracks, his hand lingering on the edge of the doorframe as if contemplating leaving. Slowly, he turned around to face her, his eyes—cold as ever—fixed on hers. There was something inscrutable in them, a darkness that made Anne's skin prickle with unease.

"I'll bring food," he said, his tone final, offering nothing more, no explanation, no hint of what he was thinking. He turned once more and walked out of the room, leaving Anne standing alone.

The door closed behind him with a soft thud, and Anne was left in the silence of her new prison, the weight of her words still lingering in the air. The term she had used—personal whore—echoed in her mind, and she wondered if she had struck a nerve with Kaiden.

But what did it matter? She was here, far away from everything familiar, and Kaiden had yet to reveal his true intentions. She could feel the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her, but she knew one thing for sure—whatever game he was playing, she had to be ready.

Kaiden returned, his movements smooth and deliberate, carrying a tray with food. He approached without a word, setting the tray before Anne before seating himself across from her. His presence filled the room, the silence heavy between them as Anne cautiously watched his every move.

He gestured towards the food. "Eat."

Anne hesitated, her eyes flicking between the food and Kaiden, unsure of his intentions. But after a moment, she slowly complied, picking up a piece of bread and taking small bites. The tension between them was palpable, her mind racing with thoughts, questions she wasn't sure she could ask.