Chapter 2

Chapter Two

“Come with me.” His voice was deep, commanding as he spun around on his heels.

I grabbed Cora’s hand, squeezing it before pulling her forward. I didn’t know where he was taking us, but I had a feeling we weren’t going to like it. 

Our footsteps were loud down the cold industrial-looking hallway. It reminded me of when I’d gotten a job at a department store in the mall and Cora and I had stayed in the maze of hallways. That had been nice, I hadn’t worried as much about her when I worked there. She could pretend for a little while that things were normal. 

That she was just a teenager hanging out, waiting for her friends. Not that we’d lost our parents and we’re barely keeping it together. It hadn’t lasted. Before long we were kicked out by security and I’d lost my job. 

Cora’s hand was cold as she gripped my hand tight, her body pressing into my side as if I could help shield her from whatever we were being led to. Untangling my fingers from hers, I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her tight against me. 

The man stopped in front of a heavy-looking door. He tapped on it before looking back at us. A woman opened the door, I use that term loosely. Her eyes reminded me of a cat’s, shining in the darkness, luminescent and overly large. Her black hair fell around her shoulders in glossy waves as she looked up at the man. A hungry smile twitched at her deep red lips. 

“Kaji, what brings you to me?” She purred, stepping closer to the man. 

I watched the two of them as he brought his hand up, cupping her cheek. “Kaida, dear step-sister.” His thumb moved over her lips and she bit the pad of his finger, making him give her a smile that was anything but warm. “I need you to get these two dressed for Lucian. Those wolves don’t know how to offer a proper tribute to our king.”

She looked back at Cora and I, her lip curling up as she ran her hand over Kaji’s side beneath his jacket... “An insult.”

He rested his forehead against hers and she looked up at him. It felt strange and almost voyeuristic watching them.

“It shall be dealt with.” He growled out and something inside of me wanted to shrink away from them. I didn’t know what they were or what we’d gotten roped into, but I had a gut feeling that things wouldn’t be getting any better.

Cora let out a whimper and I unwrapped my arm from around her, shoving her behind me. Her hands tangled into my sweatshirt and she buried her head against my back into my hair. The two creatures in front of me turned to look at us. I felt the urge to run, stronger than before, but I had a feeling like I did with those wolves that we wouldn’t be getting far.

“Her fear is delicious.” Kaida purred out, her hand moving deeper into her brother's jacket as she wrapped her body around his.

“They’re for Lucian, Kaida.” Kaji reminded her, his hand moving up her back to tangle into her hair. He roughly tugged at her locks until she let out a moan, looking back at him. “We can play later.”

“Promise?” She batted long dark lashes at him before pressing up onto her toes.

He growled again, pressing his lips to hers before letting her go. Kaji turned towards me, “Go with Kaida, don’t give her any trouble, or I’ll make you pay.”

I gulped. Looking up at him, I nodded my head. Not trusting myself to speak, he walked past us and I looked towards Kaida. Her eyes flicked to Cora as she stepped back towards the open door.

“Come in, I’ll get you both ready to be offered up to our king.” When we didn’t move, she let out a laugh before prowling closer. Her hands held up as she tried to give me what I was sure was a smile that was meant to calm me down. It didn’t, if anything it put me more on edge. “Come on, I don’t bite.”

Reaching behind me, I grabbed Cora’s hand, pulling her with me. “You’re protective of your sister, just as Kaji is of me. I like it, it's sweet.”

“I’ll always protect her,” I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. 

Kaida’s pupils flared and into slits and she rested her hand over her heart. She gave us a grin that was filled with sharp teeth. I stepped past her, keeping Cora close as we moved into the room. I was hit with the scent of roses, I stood still waiting for my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room.

“Sit down,” Kaida ordered, pointing to a red velvet loveseat off to the side of a makeup table. “I’d advise you not to escape. If you somehow manage to outrun me, the guards will kill you. Tribute to the king or not.” 

“Wh, what do you mean when you say tribute to the king?” I asked as we moved to the loveseat. I sank down into its overstuffed cushions as she walked towards the closet. Cora sat on the edge of the couch, her back ramrod straight. Ready to bolt, despite Kaida’s warning.

“The wolves brought you over as a gift.” She giggled, pulling out a white lace dress. “This one should do.”

She turned back to look at me and I pressed my lips together, still not understanding. Her silver eyes rolled before she looked up at the ceiling 

“You’ll be given to our king, he can do whatever he wants to the two of you. If he chooses to keep you, he may give you as a reward to one of the thrall.” Kaida handed the white dress to my sister, then pointed to a fabric-covered screen that would give her the illusion of privacy. “Slip this on honey, that ivory color will bring out your innocence.”

“What’s going to happen to us?”

“That’s for Lucian to decide.” 

“You’ve got a fire to you,” she tilted her head to the side, tucking her hair behind her ear as she studied me. “I think I’ll put you in black to contrast your sister, maybe he’ll keep you both to play with.”

She walked back to the closet, grabbing another lace dress. This one was much smaller than the one she’d given to my sister, and I had the feeling that it wasn’t going to fit. I raised an eyebrow as she shoved it into my hand, “I’ve got an eye for this, trust me.” 

Standing, I moved behind the screen as Cora slipped on the white dress. If there was one thing I already knew, it was that I very much didn’t trust her or anyone else besides my sister.