The Captive

Chapter 15: Exploits in the Dungeon...Again

Vasilisa's POV

When I woke up again, I was disappointed.

I was hoping I really wouldn't wake up again. That would make things much, much easier.

Only one candle was lit and beside it was Rhyn.

I turned slowly to gaze at him head on. He was looking at me as if he were the one in pain "Vasilisa?" He asked.

I tried to speak but started coughing instead. He helped me sit up. 

When I recovered my breath, he spoke again "I was ordered to let you wake up first, but now I have to take you to the dungeons."

I just gazed at him before slowly swinging my legs around. I stood and thought they felt weak, they were stable enough.

I noticed I was in nothing but a dressing gown.

It draped over my body and left little to the imagination in terms of the thin fabric.

Rhyn slowly pulled a heavy, wool blanket around my shoulders "You'll need it down there. It's been getting colder at night recently."

I didn't reply, just followed him through the bar. 

Madge watched me with a pained look on her face.

As we left the back way, I realized we were going the way that we were less likely to encounter many people. It seemed to be near dawn so I didn't understand why it was necessary to come this way.

We entered the dungeons and he put me in the same cell I'd been in before.

I walked in without any complaint.

My bare feet were already starting to freeze.

He gazed at me before asking angrily "What? Now you have no smart comment?!"

I raised my eyebrows at him tiredly "Do I get food this time?"

He inhaled sharply "Most likely."

I shrugged "Then no."

He slammed the door to my cell shut with frustration and growled through gritted teeth. He stomped away and out the door.

I sighed when I was finally alone and glanced out the window.

Winter was coming quick and at this rate, with or without food and with or without a blanket...

...I probably wouldn't make it anyway.

Scar's POV

I was in the hall when Svetlana and Julianne barged in, determination on their faces.

They had visited me two days ago and asked to see Vasilisa. I wouldn't let them.

She was being punished.

I watched the mother and daughter warily as they both sat down in front of me, gazing at me with twin glares.

"What do you ladies want now?" I asked.

Svetlana replied coolly "For one I'd like to see my daughter."

I motioned towards Julianne "Have a good look."

Svetlana's lip curled "She was just trying to protect us, Alpha."

Julie continued "We weren't aware that the entire country was going to war. Vas made a judgement call because she thought she could get us out. She wasn't trying to be malicious to you in any way; she was just trying to protect her family."

I scoffed "Trying to not be malicious to me? I trusted her to be in my company. What if I'd needed to rely on what I thought was a man, but couldn't?"

Svetlana scoffed "You've only seen her with a bow. Do you imagine she's incapable with a knife? Her father taught her well, and when he died she took it upon herself to make sure nothing bad ever happened to us. You're punishing her for no good reason. Your pride was wounded you didn't see it sooner."

I growled, my anger boiling "Bite your tongue woman. I'm punishing her because she needs to realize that as a woman, she is vulnerable on a battlefield. Ladies, that's what we walked into the other day. Did she tell you that?"

Svetlana wasn't taking any of it "You mean meeting with the Vampyres? That's what she told me you were doing. As she said it, you asked her to come along...to help. And did she?"

I paused, glaring at her. This woman was as bad as her daughter.

Julie huffed "I think that's all the answer we need. If you need us, we'll be in the dungeons."

They stood and walked off and I let them.

My wolf wanted his mate badly, but I couldn't bring myself to go to her. I couldn't swallow my pride and admit that I had been wrong. Not today anyway. In the morning, I would do so, but today was my last day of my self-proclaimed pity party.

At least this time, I knew she was getting food.

Vasilisa's POV

Mom and Julie surprised me.

I was currently tossing a pebble I'd found back and forth between my hands.

I stopped when I heard the door open.

Mom stopped in front of my cell "Oh honey..." She started.

I stood and quickly got to the bars where I hugged her through them. She hugged me back "Good God, your throat." She exclaimed.

I grimaced "Uh, yeah."

Julie clenched her fists "I warned him what I'd do. I'm going to do it too now..."

I glanced at her "Julie, what are you talking about?"

She grumbled "I told Rhyn that if he hurt you, I'd kill him myself."

I frowned "It wasn't Rhyn, Julie. It was Scar."

My mother tensed up and looked quite distraught "That bastard." She grunted beneath her breath.

I rubbed my face "Are you two going to get in trouble for being down here?"

They both shrugged "Please go before you do. It's so cold down here at night."

My mother didn't want to leave me, but she hugged me through the bars again and then left, dragging Julie with her. Before she left, I felt her slip something to me.

I looked at it and frowned.

It was a piece of paper that had one word written on it. "Pungo."

It was another spell.

If she gave it to me then she was confident I'd figure it out.

I whispered it over and over again, picking up the stone I'd been tossing and began to toss it again.

"Pungo." I said.

Don't I have to know what it does before I use it?

I watched the rock as I gently threw it from hand to hand. "Pungo." I muttered to myself.

My eyes seemed to lock on the movement the rock was making.

"Pungo." I whispered again. The rock froze in mid air.

I smiled. Thanks mom.