The Lost Heir

Chapter 18

Raven's POV

He lifted me again, slamming me against the wall. This time, the impact rattled my bones to the extent that my left shoulder popped out the socket. I crumbled to the ground, holding my shoulder and biting back the pain. He walked towards me and touched my arm. I don't want him to touch me. His vile touch repulses me. Why do I feel the need to stay away from him?

He shoved my arm back into the socket and yanked me up. His face was inches away from mine. I looked away from his glare, only to have him squeeze my face, forcing me to make eye contact with him again.

"You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't be in love with him!" He screamed at me.

Be in love with whom? This man is ludicrous. What is he speaking of? Ami. He's referring to Ami, isn't he? How does he know about him? No one in the village is supposed to know of Amon.

"I can't just give you over as the sacrifice without having my fun first. But I can't even have the fun I wanted!" He shouted. His lashes enunciated the words.

He kneed me in the stomach and threw me on the ground. He literally started jumping on me as I shielded my head from the blows. He's angry. That's what this beating is about. He's taking his anger out on me. While he rained kicks on me, I kept repeating Amon's name in my mind. I wanted this to be over.

"You are lucky I don't know the time you were born. I would have ended this already!" He grunted while kicking me in my back.

I felt something crack. Oh dear Gods. No. Please make it stop. Please. Black spots started to cloud my vision. The last thing I remember before I passed out was him kneeling down in front of me, a clawed hand outstretched towards my face.

●●●●●

I woke up, I'm not sure how long after, with my body sore but healed. I was on a thin mattress covered with a tattered sheet. An even thinner blanket was thrown haphazardously over my body. Groggily sitting up, I glanced around my surroundings. I was in the same room.

Why am I even here? I don't even know how long I've been here. How many hours have passed? Has it been an entire day as yet? Moving my legs, I realised I couldnt. Around my left ankle was a shackle attached to a chain connected to the wall next to me. How could I have not noticed that before? The shackle wasn't even heavy. It felt like a part of my body, light and weightless even.

Pulling with all my strength, I tried to detatch the chain from the wall or at least my ankle. How foolish of me. I was too weak to even do that. He walked in while I was tugging on the chains.

"It's useless to try to escape. You are the sacrifice tonight. I am keeping you here so Halphas won't touch you."

"Is that why you beat me? So you could touch me instead?" There was venom in my words. It was the first time I spoke to him. To the villagers, I couldn't speak. But at the moment it didn't matter. If my options were being raped or beaten, I honestly don't know which was worse.

Leraje strolled over and stroked my cheek. Bile rose in my throat at his touch. For some reason I was more than repulsed by his touch. I didn't want his fingers on my skin. I shied away from him. He took notice and grabbed my wrist, bringing my face close to his.

"My dear Raven. Soon. Don't worry." He said with a sneer. What was he eve talking about? What will happen soon?

With that, he threw me against the wall, causing me to bang my head, and left the room again. Ami, when are you coming to get me? Oh. That's right. He can't. He doesn't even know I'm being held against my will. I'm stuck here with Leraje until time for the sacrifice.

It didn't take long for him to return. He unchained my ankle, roughly grabbing me, pulling me out the door. He shoved me once we were outside and I landed on my hands and knees at the feet of someone. It could only be one person I was being treated like an animal for. Helphas. Slowly looking up, I was greeted with a slap to the face.

"Where the hell were you?! Thought you could run off hiding and escape your fate! Well it's not happening. You will be sacrificed tonight." He screamed in my face before grabbing me by my hair and dragging me towards the stone table.

I didn't care again. I kicked and screamed. I even pulled in the opposite direction, ripping my hair from my scalp. Once I was free, I didn't think twice. I ran. I didnt make it very far though. Leraje grabbed me and dragged me back.

"The less you struggle the easier it would be for you." He whispered for only me to hear. "I'm trying to prevent you from suffering a worse fate."

Worse fate? Was this man really insane? Nothing is worse than being stripped naked in front of the entire village and chained to a stone slab. Being the Sacrifice wasn't the problem. It was the fact that my body would be on display for everyone to see. I know Amon won't hurt me. Being sacrificed to him means I could leave this village.

Leraje pulled me to the stone slab. The entire village gathered around. No doubt to see the village freak sacrificed to the beast of the forest. Chaining me down, he pulled a dagger out of the waist of his trousers, cutting my dress. He yanked the fabric away from my body, exposing me to the entire village. I've never felt more humiliated in my life. And there were plenty of opportunities for me to be.

I noticed the men of the village all looking at me lecherously. I would give anything to go back to being invisible to them. Ami please hurry up. Take me out of here. It took everything I had to not cry. I will never let these people see me cry. So I did the only thing I could do at the time. I squeezed my eyes shut and pretended they weren't around me. I drowned out their whispered voices, repeatedly chanting Ami's name. My only wish was for him to hurry and take me away from here.

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A/N- an update. Love me. Love me. Just kidding. For those who were patiently waiting for this I hope you all enjoy it.
I guess I will be honest with you as, my readers as to why I'm not updating on time. I'm 8 months pregnant and it's been tough these last few weeks. My goal was to finish the book before the baby comes. But it looks like I won't be able to make it. But I will try my best.
Anyway. I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to vote and comment. I also look forward to hearing from you guys.