Beautiful Darkness

➵Repression Will Rise

Antonis is the opposite of gentle as his callused hands wrap around my hair. They dig into my scalp as he steadily drags me away from the battlefield. I latch onto his wrists in attempt to break myself free from the pain he is inflicting.

My struggling fuels his amusement. A loud chuckle escapes his poisonous lips.

"I must admit, I am quite surprised you surrendered so easily. You were the last person I would expect to go quietly into the night," he briefly looks down to the hair wrapped around his hand, "well, not entirely quiet."

Determination sets as I go completely limp. The sudden weight causes him to drop me instantly. I land heavily on the ground deepening the pain of my injured shoulder.

A serious expression crosses his features as he grabs my chin and forces me to look him in the eyes.

"You will not win. Any act you commit now is simply a waste of breath," he seethes. "Your existence is already a tragedy itself."

"Why do you even want me? I will never help you. I will spend every 'wasteful breath' of my existence fighting you." I respond.

"You are merely a source of information. A toy I can play with and break until it can no longer be fixed." Antonis forcefully threatens.

He grabs my arm and resumes dragging me, not even waiting for me to stand. I hastily try to gather my footing as he increases the pace. Once we exit the arena I am fully surrounded by people of every race. Insults, compliments, and confusion flows around me; some of it directs itself at me.

"Evil witch!"

"Lucifer's child."

"Finally somebody killed that bloodsucker."

These are only a small portion of the comments screamed at me.

Antonis bats them aside as my eyes connect with Orion's. He at my side in an instant, shoving Antonis to the ground as he draws his blade. My form is pushed behind his as he guards me.

Antonis takes his time getting up. With a single motion guards are next to him in seconds flat.

"She conceded, forfeiting any rights to her province. The victor exchanged her into my custody. If you so much as touch her you will be imprisoned for the rest of your life, you swit." He barks. Orion's conflicted expression looks to mine. I slowly walk in front of him.

A sight over Orion's shoulder distracts me. Roman is partially dragging the human descendant, Graham, by his arms. Graham is wildly struggling despite his hands being tied behind his back. His fierce eyes scan over the room for aid until they reach mine. He processes that we are both in the same situation.

"You have to let me go." I whisper to Orion as my eyes remain attached to Graham's. I push him away and take a step towards Antonis.

He does not get a chance to process before Daniel leads him away from the situation. One of the guards shoves me down as nerium chains are wrapped around my wrists and ankles. A cry of pain leaves me as the burning sensations begin. Three guards escort me over to Roman and Graham. They look to him for orders.

"We will all escort the prisoners to the north cell block. I'm in contact with a source that could make communication with the royal family. An assassin has already been paid." Roman announces. I simply react as I struggle to inflict pain upon him.

"You liar!" I yell as I launch myself at him. All three of the guards yank on me as Graham joins my efforts. Roman swiftly lands a punch to his face that dazes him. The hilt of a sword smashes into my skull. I feel liquid drip from down my face from the wound. Two of the guards have to lift my weight from the chains due to the blow completely stunning me.