Chapter 2

I felt as if I was drifting, my head heavy and muddled. A blurry figure hovered close and gently wrapped his arms around me.

"Aria," Kael murmured, resting his chin lightly on my head. I could feel the warmth of his body, but he soon pulled away.

When I regained consciousness and could finally open my eyes, I found myself staring at Kael. His expression was calm and gentle.

I tried to sit up but found myself strapped to an assessment chair with my wrists and ankles bound tight. Worse, I was wearing nothing but my bra and underwear.

"Damn it!" I silently cursed.

"What are you doing?" I shouted and tried to shift, but failed. Ignoring his identity, I bared my teeth and let out a guttural growl as a desperate warning to stay back.

"Stop," Kael said calmly. "I'm just trying to clear your abnormal blockages so you're fit to enter the patrol squad."

He stepped closer and snapped on the medical gloves as he spoke.

My resistance seemed to have pricked his pride. He leaned in deliberately and scooped a thick dollop of clear gel onto his right index finger, as if to silently hint about what was coming.

"No! I won't do this!"

"Please trust me, Aria." He took out a remote from his pocket to recline the assessment chair and lift the footrest.

The position left me exposed and humiliated. I tried to draw my legs together, but the restraints held them firmly in place.

Kael moved to the foot of the chair and swept his gaze over my abdomen before his hand began slowly crawling up my inner thigh.

I jerked my head to the side and tried to convince myself that if I couldn't see it, maybe it wasn't happening. But the harsh, sterile lights of the assessment room made it feel like escape was impossible.

"Wait!" I cried.

Kael paused and waited for me to continue.

I closed my eyes and whispered, my voice trembling, "P-Please give me a blanket. The lights are too bright."

He nodded and left.

After what felt like an eternity, he returned and draped a thin fur blanket over my body before pulling it over my face as well.

That was when my tears finally spilled over.

"Don't be afraid, Aria."

His hands settled at my waist, pressing and kneading into the muscle of my abdomen. In my dazed state, I found myself helplessly following his lead as he slid my underwear down.

A waft of cool air hit my skin, followed by the slick, icy intrusion of the gel as his fingers nimbly worked themselves into my body.

I hadn't realised that losing my sight would sharpen my other senses so much that I could feel the slight callouses on his fingers. My mind couldn't help but imagine his long, steady fingers beneath the gloves as he slowly, meticulously applied the gel.

Everywhere he touched felt numb and tingling. My body felt so heated as if it was set on fire. The thrilling sensation was so intense that I nearly wanted to scream, so I bit my lip hard and felt tears slipping down my face.

At least, the blanket hid my face and concealed my shame.

"This is more complicated than I thought," Kael commented. His voice remained calm, but words rolled off his tongue faster now. I could hear the sharp clink of metal instruments.

The blanket over my face became a barrier between me and the unknown future. Fear rushed into my mind as I couldn't help but cry out and beg him to stop.

"No! Please!"

All I heard in return was a soft sigh before something cool slipped into my body.

Bracing against the sharp discomfort, I bit down so hard my fangs pierced my lip. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

"There," Kael said. "It's done."

The words felt like salvation.

Exhausted, I could only manage quiet, helpless whimpers.