The Alpha's Siren Song

Chapter 10

I wanted nothing more than to moan out loud as my eyes parted. My head was pounding, my tongue felt swollen in my mouth, and I could barely stand the dryness under my lips. But, I had trained myself not to make noise. I knew that one wrong sigh, yawn, or groan, could reignite blood lust. If they thought I was dead, I might be safe until I could get my bearings again.

So, the only movement I would allow myself was small, slow blinks to clear my murky eyes. I knew where I would be. It would be cold, dark, and wet. There would be the smell of feces, vomit, and blood in the stale air. But this time there would be no screams because I was the only one left. I wouldn't have to watch my sisters have their life source sapped away. But I would have to curl up on the moldy mattress alone, with no one to give me false hope.

I had failed.

But as I stared upwards I saw white plaster or drywall. Not steel beams supporting earth and stone above my head.  the air didn't feel heavy, didn't reek.

I carefully flexed my fingers, still moving slowly. There was something soft under me, a mattress with a sheet and a few blankets it seemed. Far too hospitable for the compound I was used to.

Before I dared to move my head and give myself away, I shut my eyes and listened. I could hear my own heart beat, fast and panicked. I could hear my own breathing that I was controlling as well as I could to avoid detection. But there didn't seem to be anything else.

I opened my eyes again and slowly rolled my head to one side. A little bedside table came into view with a modern lamp propped on top and a desk pressed against the far wall. There was no one sitting in the office chair, sneering at me as I gave my conscious state away. No one loomed over me,  threatening me. It would seem that I was alone. At least for now.

As I sat up, my body ached and protested. I felt like I had run a marathon, though I was sure I had done no such thing. After using my siren abilities with only the energy stored in my blood, I would be out of commission for at least twenty four hours. And even after an extensive rest period, I wouldn't be the same until I was dehydrated. 

Twenty four hours was a long time for Nero's minion to drag me anywhere in the world. But I had sent him away and if he had managed to fight off my powers, why would he bring me here? 

The questions seemed trivial at this point. Now that I was awake and confirmed that I was alone, my next task was getting out of here. 

It took a fair amount of effort, but I was able to make it off the bed soundlessly. I identified the aged hardwood beneath my feet as the next issue, but I moved slow enough that I could sense squeaky floorboards and move off them before they became too loud. Once I found boards that could support my weight, I shuffled towards the window. I could only assume that the door was locked, keeping me in, this would be my best plan of escape. But I saw a two story drop. A drop that I surely couldn't handle in my fragile state. I could tie my bedding together, but that could be time consuming and I wasn't sure how much I had left.

I shuffled to the door and was utterly astonished when the knob turned.

I didn't think about anything else. I yanked the door open and sprinted down the hallway. My legs ached and tightened with every step, my whole body feeling the effects of the dehydration. I knew my body wouldn't carry me far, but with any luck, I was still in Scotland and if I could find somewhere to hide outside, rain would come sooner rather than later. 

But I would not make it outside. 

In fact, I only made it about five strides before I heard voices, the first sounds I had heard outside of myself since waking up. But I couldn't identify where it was coming from, clear and muffled all at once.