Chapter 5

Veronica POV

I scuttled deeper into the room, wincing as my hand grazed the angry red marks covering my legs. It would heal with time–if I could afford it. If they knew about Ginny and me, these wounds would be nothing compared to what I would have to face. I hugged myself tighter, ignoring the stinging pain and tears gathering around my eyes.

A cracking sound whipped my head up, and my eyes fell on the figure sitting in the corner. I muffled the scream that threatened to spill out.

Klaus.

His eyes were on me, cold as ever, and I felt a shiver run through my body. They held me captive– amber and blue eyes, blank, void of any emotion, barely blinking as he held my gaze. Every instinct within me screamed that I look away, but I couldn't. Wouldn’t look away. Not for fear of my life.

He sat very still, and only the cracking of his knuckles told me he was alive. If he were here, then he was here to punish me, and I knew from experience I wouldn't survive.

Flashes of large hands gripping my neck flitted through my mind. I couldn’t breathe. Low, gravelly voice taunted me. Air squeezed painfully out of my lungs. Hands flailing in the air. His breath hot on my face.

A whimper escaped my lips, and I edged further into the room, finally breaking eye contact. Yet I could feel his gaze on my skin. Thankfully, he made no move to follow, and from the corner of my eye, I watched his still form as he watched me.

The door screeched open, and I heaved a sigh of relief, but my sense of relief was short-lived.

“Had a brilliant idea to feed you,” Kade said as he strolled in, slamming the door shut behind him. He was carrying a tray covered with white muslin. Fears twisted my guts into knots as my eyes flitted briefly between the two brothers before frantically scanning the room for any object I could use as a weapon. The empty room stared back at me. It was as if it had been stripped of everything except a cold slab. My heart pounded painfully at the realization– I was defenseless. There was no saving me.

“It is way better than the scraps they’ve been feeding you for months. You should be grateful,” Kade’s voice pulled me out of my musing. I hadn’t realized he had covered the distance between us and was squatting in front of me. The tray laid out in front of me. “Take a peek.”

It wasn’t a request.

Trembling, I peeled the cloth back, taking in the stale bread and soup, laden with chunks of meat. The smell wafted through my nose, and my stomach grumbled in response. I haven’t had a meal since the previous morning.

“Take a bite,” Kade chuckled, watching me like a hawk. “Klaus had insisted… no! Demanded that no one get near you. But I'm my own man, as you would soon find out.” he gestured to the tray. “Eat.”

A sickening feeling settled within my stomach. I was being played. They must be trying to get me to lower my guard. Trying to trick me into telling them things. I have heard of their tricks; it was bedtime gossip for the captives. How they would turn friends against each other, first with kind gestures and when that doesn’t work, they torture you.

My gaze returned to the still form at the corner, searching for a sign, anything. But cold eyes stared back at me, giving nothing away.

“What are…” Kade followed my gaze but barely spared Klaus a glance. “Good. We’ve an audience. Let's make him suffer a little, shall we?” his voice took on an icy tone. “Now, eat.”

I broke a tiny piece of bread and popped it into my mouth. His eyes rested on my mouth, and I was forced to chew.

“Tell me how you did it?”

I swallowed. “Did what?”

“Yesterday… Tell me how you made it stop.”

“I–I–” I sputtered, trying hard to understand what it had to do with anything. “I made a potion.”

“How? Tell me how.”

He sounded desperate.

“I can’t say,” I said, finally finding my voice and courage. If I could make them see my worth, maybe they would hold off on killing me. “It’s been in my family for generations. I don’t even know the names of the herbs. I just let the moon goddess guide me, and she shows me everything I need.”

That was a lie. I knew the names and colours of most healing herbs before I said my first word. The healing power was a gift, but the true power came from the herbs and roots.

“Tell her to guide you to the cure,” Klaus spoke, startling me. His voice was low, carrying his doubts as clearly as possible. He was still seated in the same position, with the same posture.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. It felt easier to lie to Kade, but Klaus terrified me just with his eyes. It was almost like he could see through my soul.

I tried again. “She does things in her own time. I’m just an instrument.”

This wasn’t a lie.

Finally, Klaus stood up, dusted something off his shirt, his eyes never leaving my face. “Let’s speed up her time then,” he said matter-of-factly, walking towards the door. “You’ll remain here with no food until you’ve provided a cure. Your only access to the outside world will be your trips to find the herbs.”

“No!” I yelled, jumping off my feet.

Klaus cocked an eyebrow, his gaze resting below my face. I followed his gaze, turning red when I realized what he was staring at. My sleeve had slipped over my shoulder, revealing the top of my boobs.

I pulled the offending dress up, embarrassed at my recklessness. But that wasn’t enough to keep me quiet. “We had a deal.” I reminded him, trying but failing to meet his eyes.

He knocked on the door. “And I always keep my end of a deal,” he said quietly and turned to Kade. “Don’t joke around.” he disappeared behind the door, leaving me alone with Kade.

I turned my gaze to the remaining brother, who was now grinning from ear to ear. Sometimes, I swear, he terrified me more than I was willing to accept. He grabbed a spoonful of soup and dumped it into his mouth.

“No poison,” he said with a mouth full, winking at me. “Eat up. You’ll need your strength if you plan to survive. And don’t mind Klaus, he’s just grumpy. He had the worst part of the night since you refused to give him your potion. He’ll come around.”

I nodded and stood there watching as he followed his brother’s footsteps. I hadn’t refused to do anything. He had sent me away. What in the goddess's name were they playing at?