Emberborn

The Power of Fear

The sound echoed around the room before the pain even registered on my face.

My head flew to the side from the force of the blow and there was a metallic taste that began to spread in my mouth. Thousands of pins began to prick at my cheek when I reached up to touch it. He struck me with so much force that it knocked me to the ground.

But he didn't care.

He stood still and took a few deep breaths in before looking back down at me.

He was angry.

It appalled me how quickly his moods can change.

My heart was thumping so loud, I felt like it could be heard down the hall. Images of the other night flooded my mind, only making it harder for me to keep my shit together.

He reached down with both hands and grabbed me by the wrists. I shrieked at the strength of his grip. It hurt, but I dared not say a word.

He lifted me off the ground right in front of him. His anger was rolling off of him, making it hard for me to breathe.

"You disobeyed me, again."

When I lifted my head, I only saw fangs glimmering in the moonlight.

He knew.

Of course, he knew that Jax was here. I'm sure his scent is still lingering in the room.

It was in that moment, I felt, suddenly, that the center of this man's attention was a very bad place to be.

"Atarah?!

Atarah, what's happening?!"

Telling by the panic in his voice, he must have felt my fear. I have no idea what is going to happen next, but I do know that it's only going to bring me more pain.

More suffering than I can possibly handle.

"Jax, he knows..."

I whispered in my mind. I can feel my body start to shake beneath his grasp. His eyes burned holes into mine, leaving me at a loss for words. But there was nothing that I could say.

No words could possibly save me from the hell this man will bring.

"Atarah, you need to get the hell out of there.

Run!"

He was just as frightened as I was.

I glanced over at the door, then down at the tight hold he had on me. I knew there was no way out.

I couldn't run even if I wanted to.

"Wanting to run, darling?" He said slowly.

I stared him back in the eyes and thought long and hard about my next move. He slowly released my hands and stepped away from me, giving me a clear shot to the door.

"Go ahead. Run."

I was about to make a break for it when something prevented me.

I didn't want to run. I don't want to live in fear.

This man has so much control over me, but I am sick and tired of feeling powerless.

I would rather die than live on my knees, only to serve this monster.

"I'm not going anywhere. I will not run from you."

I didn't want to die, not when I just fought so hard to get my life back. But I will not live as a slave.