The Ties of Darkness (Book Two of the Hidden Secrets Trilogy)

Chapter Eleven

Going downstairs was creepy, with the stone walls on either side of the stairs and very little light to guide me, but with my vampire vision, the dark was nothing. I finally got to the chambers and saw Liam in his barred cell.

"Liam!" I exclaimed. His head shot up and he ran to me, clasping my hands in his through the bars.

"Anna you have to get out of here, it's not safe!" he said worrying.

"No! I'm not leaving you behind Liam, I'm not," I said sternly.

"He is going to hurt you, Anna. He already has!" Liam said.

"Liam, I don't care about any of that Liam, I just want you to be safe," I said gently. He sighed.

"Whatever you do, promise me that you won't let him control you," Liam said.

"I won't," I promised. He leaned forward and kissed me through the bars and willed me away.

I trudged back upstairs trying to hide the anger within me. Liam had no right to be held like this, but it was Erebus's way of getting into my core. When I was back upstairs, I found Erebus lounging on his big leather couch with a fire blazing in the fireplace.

"So how is your lover doing?" he asked.

"He's fine, none of your concern," I grated.

"I see you aren't taking things from me very lightly," Erebus said smoothly.

"I'm not," I answered. He laughed softly and gazed into the fire.

"Jacob! Please assist Anna to her room," Erebus ordered. Jacob entered the room a smirk tipping on his lips.

"I can get there myself," I mumbled and started to the stairs leaving Jacob to follow behind me. I got to my room and turned to face him. "Leave me alone," I insisted.

"Sorry love, but it won't work that way," Jacob said. I glared at him and turned away to open the door, yet as I did Jacob caught my arm as my hand went to the door handle. "I would pay my respects to Erebus if I were you," he whispered tightly. I yanked my arm away.

"There's nothing I have to give him," I snarled.

"Why don't you see that your life could be better here?" he asked leaning against the doorframe.

"I do see it Jacob, but my life isn't meant to be with Erebus. It's meant to be with Liam," I said harshly. Jacob stared at me for a moment, his eyes searching. "You are totally blind to the fact Jacob, that Erebus has changed you into something you're not," I said. Jacob took a step toward me making me back up against the door.

"Erebus's changed me in a powerful way that you would never understand, but you will once you let him make you his," Jacob said with a slight purr. I swallowed.

"He'll never have me like he did before, I won't allow it! He used and seduced me!" I said with rage in my voice. His eyes flickered for a moment before they flared a red and then going back to their indigo color. "Leave me to my room," I grumbled, grasping the doorknob and turning it to open the door and let only myself inside.

I closed the door and leaned my back against it, thankful to be away from Jacob and Erebus. I closed my eyes and slid to the floor, pulling my knees up to my chest where I put my head down and cried.

When my tears were done, I found it was close to mid-afternoon. I went to the bathroom to wash my tear-streaked face. Turning on the faucet I set it to hot and it felt good a for some reason made me feel better after all the anger set upon myself.

I closed my eyes and willed my magic to my hands and it came, filling me with light. I relaxed as I let the light soothe all my aches and pains.

When the light faded, I opened my eyes finding Erebus's reflection standing behind me. I nearly screamed and uttered a small squeak.

"Your powers are truly magnificent, I'd have to say," he said looking at our reflections.

"You don't have to say anything," I managed to say above a whisper.

"You are so innocent, that almost anything could break you," he said in a velvety voice brushing my hair back from my face. I shivered at his touch knowing that he'd seen my reaction to his touch. "Why won't you be my queen of darkness?" he asked.

"It's obvious! Don't you see? Yeah sure, when you had me before I may have liked you, but that was because you seduced me!" I growled in rage spinning on him and jabbing my finger in his chest.

The action didn't phase him, but it sickened me to know that he probably enjoyed it.

"You can wipe that smart look off your face, or I can do it for you" I threatened.

"It would make me more than happy," he said amused. His backtalk was really starting to get on my nerves, so I did the right thing I'd been planning.

I brought my hand back and swung it forward but stopped as Erebus's hand caught my wrist in a bone-crushing grip, a muscle in his gorgeous face twitched. I clenched my teeth, nostrils flaring.

"Let go...of me," I hissed. He didn't let go, instead, he pulled me forward so his lips were just inches from mine.

"How could I ever let go, when I know the answer if I do?" he asked. He swung me back, hitting me against the bathroom wall.

His hand that had my wrist pinned it to the wall and his other hand did the same. His lips were on mine next, savagely, making me want to puke. I forced my light out, but Erebus was forcing his power against mine and I felt his darkness coming back into me.

I cried out beginning to feel weak, forcing myself to stand. I was still wearing my camisole and having Erebus's cold skin on me caused me to break out in goosebumps. Erebus used his shadows to chain my hands to the wall and his hands went to my neck and the to my shoulder, sliding down the shirts strap down. His fingers softly stroked my shoulder sending more chills through me.

He brought his head down and nipped at my shoulder with his fangs leaving a small bite mark.

I knew what he was going to do and I didn't know if I had a chance of stopping it. He went back up to my neck and bit again. His bites were like acid burning through my veins.

I looked over at my shoulder and saw little black veiny lines coming from the wound. My neck and shoulder were beginning to throb and I was having trouble staying on my own two feet.

"You will be mine," he murmured. The room was beginning to fade and I allowed it, there was nothing I could do because now I was tied to darkness.

When I came to I felt cold. I raised my hand to my face and saw my skin had paled. My throat was parched and my head hurt.

"Feeling better love?" Erebus asked watching me from the corner. I sat up groaning, feeling more tired than I actually was.

Erebus seemed pleased with what he'd done to me. My stomach growled loudly and the only thing I focused on was blood. I flitted to the door feeling slower and having Erebus beat me to the door standing in front of it.

"Thirsty love?" he asked, his tone cruel.

"You know I'm a free for all blood bag right here," he said tempting me. Before I could stop him, he slit his wrist and held it to my mouth. I took in his blood unwillingly and he snapped my neck.