Chapter 5

Veronica POV

I  scuttled deeper into the room as soon as i was alone, biting back the scream as my hands grazed the angry red marks covering my legs. my eyes dropped to the side, staring blanking at the at the stained wall.

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. I sat up straighter with as much grace as i could muster and met his eyes. A chill ran down my spine, but i held on, barely breathing.

The sound came again and from the corner of my eyes, i saw his fingerss move in precise motion, pressing down on each other. I swallowed, burying my hands behind my knees as memories flashed through my mind– large hands gripping my neck, me gasping for air, my hand slacked beside me.

A whimper left my lips, and I edged back, hitting the wall. The stench hit me before i realized what i’d been staring at. Streaks of dried blood coated the wall in odd angles, like letters. I screamed, ignoring the stinging in my legs and pushing myself back to the center of the room, my back turned towards my unexpected visitor.

The heat of his gaze burned through my clothes, leaving me naked. Footsteps approached and i ran towards the door.

“Let me out!” i screamed, banging as hard as my hands would let me. “Please! I know you can her me! Let me out!”

The footsteps grew nearer and a glimper of hope flickered in my heart. Thankfully, no sound came from behind me. The footsteps stopped, replaced by the clanging of keys being inserted.

I took few steps back just as the door screeched open. every ounce of blood drain from my face as the person behind the door walked in.

His golden eyes lit up with glee as his gaze fell on me and i shrank out of his reach, stumbling in my haste to get away.

“Had a brilliant idea to feed you,” Kade crooned, slamming the door shut behind him. He carried a tray covered with white muslin. 

Fear coiled within me, tight and painful. I gasped, forcing myself to breath, as my eyes flitted between the two brothers. They were here, at the same time, yet they ignored each other existence in the room.

It felt like a trap. Something to make me drop my guard.

I scanned the room for something to defend myself– i wasn’t giving up withput a fight. The empty room stared back at me, except for a slab and pieces of torn clothes littered on the floor.

I wasn’t going to be hunted down like an animal. 

“What do you want?” i asked weakly, keeping my gaze on the brother still seated. “Whatever you heard was–”

“I brought you food,” Kade grinned, dropping the tray on the ground. Liquid spilled from the sides. “It is way better than the scraps they’ve been feeding you for months. You should be grateful. Take a peek.”

His tone hardened, same as his stance. It wasn’t a request.

I squatted, pulling the soiled cloth back– a bowl of soup, laden with chunks of meat and stale bread, occupied half the tray. My stomach grumbled at the sight of the meal.

“Take a bite,” Kade chuckled, watching me like a hawk. “Klaus 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.” 

I stood up. “I’m not hungry… thank you.” 

My stomach grumbled, this time loud enough to make me look foolish.

“I’ll disagree,” he growled,  all trace of humor gone from his voice. “Eat.”

I sank down and pulled the tray towards me. A foul smell wafted through my nose as i brought it close to my lips.

“What’s in it?” I asked as a sickening feeling replaced the hunger. 

He crouched in front of me. “I think the cook had mentioned carrot, meat, onions… it went over my head. I would have to ask her again.”

My gaze returned to the still form at the corner, searching for a sign, for help. 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?” he smiled, lighting up his face. “Now, eat.”

I pushed the spoon into my mouth and swallowed. He nodded, and I grabbed another spoonful.

“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. From herbs.”

“How? Tell me how.”

He sounded desperate.

“I can’t say,” I said, my voice gradually gaining strength. “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.”

I was lying. 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 the moon goddess to guide you to the cure,” the voice from the corner sneered, startling me. He was still seated in the same position, with the same posture. 

I opened my mouth, but words refused to come out. It was 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.”

It wasn’t a lie.

Finally, Klaus stood up from his seat and approached me, his eyes never leaving my face. “Let’s speed up her time then, shall we?” he said matter-of-factly, walking towards the door. “What if we push her instrument to the point between life and death?”

He flicked something off his shirt. “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.”

“You can’t!” I yelled, jumping off my feet.

Klaus cocked an eyebrow, his gaze resting below my face. I followed his gaze, heat creeping up as my eyes rested on my half exposed boobs. 

I pulled the offending dress up, angry with myself. “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, 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.”

I sat back down, exhausted and gobbled up the remaining food. 

Kade moved behind me.“We had one like you not too long ago. She stayed here. Sat right where you’re sitting. But she was a fraud. Klaus had her hunted down for a spot. There have been others, too, tortured in this room.”

My eyes fell on the wall, and nausea filled my gut.

“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 tilted my head, trying to make sense of what he was saying. I never refused to treat Klaus. He had pushed me out, almost knocking me against the wall in his haste.

“That’s not true,” I said quietly.

“A lot of things are not true,” his breath fanned behind my ears, and I froze. “But if you try anything foolish, I’ll hunt you down myself.”