Descend into Darkness (BOOK 1)

| 23 | Immortal Love

Isaac explained the reason for the eye-less helmet I had to wear. A layer of silver within the helmet blocked my enhanced senses, so I wouldn't be able to hear, smell, or see anything. 

I gave a small nod and was enveloped in darkness, gently pulled along by the restraints around my wrist. I understood, then, that I was considered extremely dangerous.

It felt strange to be robbed of most of my senses. I could only feel the subtle shift in textures as my feet continued one after the other. There was an occasional tug at my restraints when I was falling behind, or they needed me to shift direction. 

At one point, my right foot caught my leg and I tripped, landing face-first into the ground. There was a dull reverberation through the helmet. I winced at the pain. A rough hand pulled me up by the forearm and shoved me forward. My special treatment was now void, it seemed.

After a while, the texture of the floor changed significantly. It wasn't like the facility tiles I was used to, but more like a sleek metal. We stopped. I was pushed down into a chair and my restraints were adjusted--I was chained to something else. 

Suddenly, a pair of hands held my shoulders, while someone else pulled the mask from over my head. My hair fell across my face, but through the strands, I could see Sage's face illuminated by a pale overhead light. 

Behind him, a glass mirror reflected my disheveled image. Sage remained silent, his demeanour poised, his posture erect. Isaac and the men who escorted me left the room; the door locked and sealed shut behind them.

   "So," said Sage. "Do you wanna tell me what happened?"

I peeled away the hair from my face.

   "I just don't get it. She was your friend, so why did you attack her?"

   "I didn't--" My gaze fell to the metal table between us. My chains had been attached to the legs, which were soldered into the floor. "There's more to it than that. I was trying to talk to her about partnering with a hunter, and then it turned into an argument."

He leaned forward. "So an argument turned into..."

   "She wouldn't stop."

   "You realise I could've executed you for what you did? On the spot. No questions asked. So you'd better tell me what's going on, because it's clear to me that's not all that happened."

I swallowed a sigh. My life was on the line.

   "I think... or I have reason to suspect, that someone is controlling her. It's like she's under their influence--and it's not just her either, this guy has power over other vampires. Does that sound familiar to you?"

   "Why didn't you come to me about this sooner? I know exactly who you're talking about. He's been working undercover for us for two years. In return for information, he receives some special benefits--it isn't some conspiracy."

I stood up in anger and winced at the pain of my restraints.

   "And you trust him?!"

   "Of course I do. We've accomplished so much because of him. He did his time, Kelsey. He's paid his dues and now he's someone we can trust. You, on the other hand..."

   "Then what happens now?' I said despondently.

   "You've lost every privilege. You'll wear the collar and the cuffs at all times, even when you're showering. And when you're on this side of the facility, Isaac will accompany you at all times."

   "Why him?"

   "Because he's the only person strong enough to keep you under control. Any more questions?"