The Art Of Listening

Chapter 10

I didn't know how right my gut feeling was. I was just sitting on my fluffy couch, reading one of my favorite books and drinking a glass of wine. It was late evening, Jax had told me that he had to go report to his council, in fact, all of them had to go. Apparently, they had to report in every few months. Trevor, Blaine, and Adam had gone but Ian and Justin were left in charge of their pack. 

I was home alone and enjoying the peace and quiet that came with an empty house. I loved my friends, but sometimes, a good book and a glass of wine is needed. "Artemis" a voice whispered. I looked around but saw no one. I know it couldn't be a ghost because Lorilee had put up wards in the house after they would flow in. The General was granted permission, but no one else. I had a problem at first, they would show up in large numbers to talk to me so, Lorilee made sure I could sleep in peace. 

"Artemis, Listen to me" The voice whispered. I set down my book and began to search the house, looking for the voice. "You aren't safe here, Artemis." No matter where I went, the voice sounded like it was next to me. I grabbed my cell and called Ian. "Hey, kid!" He answered. "I know that you are terribly busy, but I need your help. There is someone in my house but I cannot find them." I whispered. "Don't move, I'll be right there." With that, he hung up. 

"Artemis, the wolf can't help you" The voice whispered. Chills made their way down my spine. "Who are you and what do you want?" I called out. "I want to help you, you are not safe." The voice whispered. "Who are you?" I called out again. "Someone you never knew, but I have been watching you, Artemis." it whispered. Ian and Justin burst through the door. "What is going on, Artie?" Ian asked, both were on high alert. 

"There is a voice that keeps whispering that I am not safe, it said that you can't help me and that it has been watching me." I began to shake. Ian wrapped me up in his arms, "Justin and I would never let anything happen to you." He cooed, rubbing my back. I looked over his shoulder and Justin was nodding, "That's right, sweetcheeks, you are in good hands."  I smiled at him. "Are you sure you can save her, Wolf?" The voice whispered and I froze. "You heard that too, right?" I asked and they both nodded. 

"You shouldn't be here, Wolf. You want things that don't belong to you." The voice hissed and Justin flew across the room, slamming into the wall and slumping to the floor. I ran to him, "Justin!" I knelt next to him, but before I could touch him, I was lifted off the floor. "Artemis!" Ian screamed. He tried to grab me, but the room disappeared. I was in complete darkness. "I warned you, Artemis, you aren't safe." The voice was louder and seemed to echo through the dark. "You are mine, they all want you, but they cannot have you, Artemis."  I was scared beyond belief, this couldn't be a ghost, they can't do this. 

"Please, don't hurt them. What do you want? I cried.  "You, all I want is you. My little Nymph. You are special. You have no idea how special you are." The voice answered, it was a man's voice. No more whispers. The room filled with light and I was standing in what looked like a throne room in a castle. There was an incredibly handsome man sitting on the throne. He stood and made his way to me. He was tall, like Trevor, incredibly well built, long blonde hair that touched his broad shoulders, deep green eyes, tanned skin and he wore a soft smile. "Hello, Artemis. My name is Drake, King of the Fae. I have been watching you for a long time, but I couldn't get to you until the witch and vampire left you." His voice was smooth and deep, almost hypnotizing. 

"Why? I mean it is nice to meet you, but why on earth would you want to meet me?" I asked, confusion lacing my voice. He laughed as he reached me, cupping my cheek. "Because, my sweet, you are going to be my bride. I have waited a long time for you." I took a step back, "I don't understand." He sighed, "You are the last in her line. You see, your mother was supposed to be mine, but she met the human and ran off with him. She left me, a King, to be with a pathetic human. That is why I killed her." I sucked in a sharp breath, "I thought I did that, I mean I was told she died in childbirth." 

He laughed again, but this laugh was cold and dark, "No, my sweet, she ran. No one runs from me. When I found her, she was pregnant so I waited. When I saw that you were a girl, I killed her. I was going to take you then, but that fucking witch had spelled you and I couldn't touch you. Don't fear me. I can give you everything you could ever want. Just be my bride." I shook my head, "I can't. I don't even know you, except for the fact that you KILLED my MOTHER!" I growled at him. I couldn't believe he was so cruel to say those things like it was an everyday thing, 'Oh, your mom didn't want me, so I killed her'. Prick. His eyes grew dark, the colors swirling dangerously. He didn't like to be told no. 

He smiled, but it was sinister, "Fine, I shall give you time to think on it." Before I could say anything, I was in a cell. The floor was damp and it smelled musty. I was chilly and dark, but I could make out that I was alone and there was a small bed in the corner. I sighed and sat on the bed, it was as hard as the floor. I must have fallen asleep, but the opening of the cell woke me. I large man, bigger than any I had ever seen, grabbed my arm and dragged me from the room. He took me into a small room and cuffed my hands to a pole hanging from the ceiling. 

Drake strolled in. "Good morning, my sweet. I hope you slept well." I snarled, "Take me home." He shook his head, "This is your home and the sooner you accept me the better thing will get for you. Now, will you be my bride?" I flipped him off. He nodded to the big guy. "This is my friend, Mark. Mark will be teaching you that the word 'no' is naughty." Mark pushed a button and the pole retracted into the ceiling, stretching my arms above my head. He grabbed a nasty looking whip and walked behind me. They were going to whip me, seriously. "Give her ten lashings, then I will ask again." 

This cycle continued for what seemed like an eternity. Every day, I would be dragged into that room, he would ask me to marry him, I would say no, Mark would whip me and they would carry me back to my cell. I prayed that my friends would find me, but my hopes were dashed day after day. They gave me very little food and water, just enough to keep me alive but that was it. I was convinced that I was going to die here and I never got a chance to make love to Jax, kiss him one last time, tell him that I was falling hard for him. I needed to get out of here.

I was in so much pain, but I was determined to get out of here before he killed me. I buried my face in my hands. "Ello, Poppet." A semi-squeaky voice said in a heavy English accent. I turned and saw a small man, about my height, short shaggy brown hair and purple eyes, twinkling with humor and mischief. He had pointy ears. "Who are you?" I whispered and he smiled, showing two rows of sharp pointed teeth that were pure white. "Name's Aden, I'm an elf, in case you were wonderin. I can help you, in fact, that's why I'm here. See, you're my cousin." I couldn't help but smile back, he seemed nice. "You are really gonna help me get home?" He laughed and it was the a funny, full out belly laugh. "Course, Poppet. Come now, we need to be quick. I know you're hurt, but I can't help you til we get to my village, then from there, we can get you home. Just follow me, ok?" I nodded and he took my hand, helping me to stand.  He lead me to the back wall and mumbled something. The wall opened and we stepped out on to the grass. There was a pure white horse waiting and we climbed on it's back, he took off running. I glanced back at the castle and flipped it off causing Aden to laugh. 

"We are most definitely related." He laughed.