WAKING UP TO A NEW NIGHTMARE

         Kiera came back to consciousness slowly. Her headache ached like it rarely had in a long time. Alcohol didn’t hurt like this. When she touched the back of her head, she winced and frowned. There was a weight around her wrists, which could only mean one thing. Handcuffs. Sure enough, she was chained to a wall in a room with a small, barred window near the ceiling. Other than the light coming in through it’s grimy panes the room she lay on the cold hard floor.

         Then she remembered vaguely the open back door, and the broken glass on the floor. She might have shot at something, but she didn’t know if she hit anything. Then a sharp pain in the back of her head…

         Someone knocked her out. How? She would have had to pass them if for them to hit her from behind and there wasn’t any place within her small cottage to hide like that. Who did this? Dean? James? She wouldn’t put it past either of them.

      Well, stuck to the wall as she was and sensitive to the dull light filtering in, Kiera closed her eyes and tried to figure out how much time passed. Dawn was hours away the last time she remembered.

      Now, it must be at the very least late morning. But she couldn’t tell how late because of the grime on the window. The room must be in a basement of an old building.

      No shifter jail looked like this, and the lab was all white walls and stainless steel.

       If Dean or James had their hands on her, she’d be in a jail cell. This was a makeshift prison.

      Who had her? Hunters? Why not just kill her? Maybe an underground slaver? There was a market for pit fighters and sex slaves.

      Her head hurt too much, and Kiera was sure that she was missing clues to the identity of the people who had her hidden away down here.

     Time passed. Kiera faded in and out of consciousness. Her head still hurt, but finally her healing ability kicked in. Another thing the scientists messed up. Her healing ability seemed hit or miss at times and she didn’t know what triggered it.

     Kiera knew once her head no longer hurt, she’d have to find a way to escape. After all, only Kathy might miss her when she arrived at the Rocking Horse, and they found it locked up.

     That was hours away still. After that, who would she contact about this? Sheriff Morton? He’s human and wouldn’t understand or care. He’d investigate, and when he ran out of things to investigate, that would be the end of it.

     Kiera doubted the Ruling Council would do much of anything because she technically wasn’t a species they recognized and if they did, she was a rogue. Meaning no one would come to save her.

     So much for being the maiden in distress waiting for her knight in shining armour.

     Kiera wanted a drink. Stronger, the better right about now. There wasn’t anything near her she could see.

     Finally, after the waiting felt like an eternity passed, Kiera heard a lock open and door hinges squeal as a door open. Overhead lights came on and light flooded the small, dirty space.

    Kiera could see that it was a basement made up of multiple rooms. She could see another doorway across what appeared to be a hallway. Kiera watched the doorway as she listened to the heavy tread of a man walk closer.

       Finally, an older male appeared in the doorway. His dark hair was going grey around his temple and ears. Grey piercing eyes shot to her quickly, reminding Kiera of a hawk finding and following its prey. He must be on the verge of becoming an elder soon.

    Kiera’s instinct was to hate him right off the bat.

    “What is going on? Why am I here? Let me go.”

    “Now, now, you’ve just arrived, and that’s no way to speak to your mate’s father. Did no one teach you any manners?”

      “When I chained up to a wall in a stranger’s basement, I believe my manners are excusable. Now, what do you want from me?”

      “From you, my dear? Nothing.”

      “Then we’re at an impasse because I doubt, you’ll get what you want then.”

      “A powerful Lycan breeder? I’m sure one of my sons will see the importance in you and meet my demands. Whichever one comes will be rewarded.”

     “Sons? I’m not sure who you’re talking about.”

      “Of course you know, my sons. You’ve grown up with them. Now I need to find out which one will be the heir to me destiny.”

      “One, I’m not a breeder for anyone. Heck, no one could tell me if I can become pregnant to begin with. Two, what destiny? Three, you didn’t say who your sons are. Why is with all the cloak and dagger? Or the riddles. Are you some crazy old rogue, or something?” Kiera had a sickening feeling this guy was crazy, and she was now trapped in his imaginary world. Well, she’d either get away from him or die trying. Either option sounded better than anything else right now.

    “My sons James and Dean, of course. One will choose to come for you.” He grinned proudly to himself as he watched Kiera.

     “James has a father and you’re not him. Who are you?”

     “That whelp isn’t his father. I am. My name’s Henry Gingham. You’ve got quite the spirit, I think. If I were ten years younger, I’d keep you for myself. Now that you’re awake, I’ll get something for you to eat brought down.”

     Kiera surreptitiously looked at the chains holding her to the wall. The fool knew nothing about Lycan. Their weakness to shifter silver didn’t exist. Nor did they have issues with wolfsbane. No, the secret of their weaknesses was kept quiet, very well so far.

      Kiera just might escape this part, eventually.

      “Ah, here’s your food right now.” He took a tray from someone Kiera couldn’t see. Dang, he wasn’t alone. Now she needed to learn more about what was outside this room.

    He entered but only moved in so far. Then he placed the tray on the floor and used his foot to move the tray toward her. “Eat, and then you can use the restroom before we head to the meeting spot.”

     “This is crazy. No one will be there. I can guarantee that to you. Your boys hate me, and they won’t miss the pain in the butt, Lycan. In fact, they might thank you for getting rid of me for them.”

      “Eat, and that won’t be happening.” He shut her down and wouldn’t listen to the truth. “I’ll be back by the time you’re finished eating.” With that said, he left the room.

     She hoped for a knife or a fork, but no such luck. It was fries and a hamburger with a bottle of water. Crap, this was going to be harder than expected.