Waking up is hard and I fight to stay in the darkness. A beeping sound keeps time with my heart and it feels like there’s a tube or something in my nose. My throat hurts and my head is foggy. I can feel soft but papery sheets on me, but anything would be better than that tree.
My eyes flutter open and the bright lights burn my eyes. Then I hear a set of heavy footsteps, they stop and I feel a presence by my bed – if that’s what I’m lying on. One of my hands is lifted up and I feel a sharp stabbing. I try to growl but my tongue is thick and the darkness embraces me again.
When I open my eyes again something is different. I can’t feel my animal side. I can’t shift! I’ve been drugged! Why? Who would drug me? Who would want me like some ordinary human?
My fingers reach at the duvet thrown over me, I’m too hot with it on, and a heavy weight comes to rest on the back of my hand. Fingers curl round my wrist and give a gentle squeeze.
“Blair, darling you’re awake. I’ve been so worried about you,” a man says and I look up at my father.
“Dad? What’s going on?” My voice comes out as defensive but I don’t care.
He doesn’t answer and pats my head. “I was so glad to see you with Mr Cortez.”
Sergio’s here? That’s not right, he can’t be. He was in the forest and we got separated.
I look around and see that I’m in my bedroom, it hasn’t changed in years and I feel claustrophobic. I want out but I don’t think it will happen. The door opens and a very smartly dressed figure walks into my room. A golden eagle glints on his chest and he smiles.
“Sir, Miss Blair,” he says, I know that voice.
“Ah Mr Cortez. I was just telling Blair how you found her wandering and brought her home.”
So that’s his story, so the hunters knocked me out and gave me to him? Why did he bring me home?
“A pleasure sir, I couldn’t just leave her alone out there. Not with my brother out there.”
“I can’t thank you enough Dragonov. I imagine you and my daughter have a lot to talk about,” he smiles and leaves.
Dragonov comes to my bed and sits by my feet. He even pats them, a perfect act of a concerned friend. I have to remind myself it is an act and he’s the brother I have to be wary of. He’s not Sergio. I suddenly find my voice.
“What are you doing Dragonov?”
He puts on a hurt face, “I was doing my civil duty and protecting the first daughter.”
I snort and cross my arms across my chest, “cut the crap Dragonov, or better yet get lost!”
He grabs my foot and squeezes it hard, “Look, I just want what everyone else wants, I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to get it. You’re going to help me or I will destroy Tree Top City and kill Sergio.”
I glare at him, “you’re bluffing.”
“Do you really want to test me?” he asks coldly and squeezes harder on my foot. “I know what you want and unlike my cowardly brother I can give it to you.”
The only thing I want right now is to get out and back to Sergio. I try to get out of bed and find that I’m chained to the bed by my ankle. I yank my foot against the chains and over their rattle I hear Dragonov laugh. He spins a single key around his finger. I make a grab for it but he pushes me back.
“You only get out if you agree to help me.”
“I’ll chew off my foot before I help you,” I spit and cross my arms against my chest again.
YOU ARE READING
Project: Hero
أدب المراهقين"You might be a killer, but I don't think you're a monster." The government has taken over the nation in a totalitarian state. But there are a select few who stand in its way. And that is those with the moon Tattoos. Each possesses a strange power a...
