I don’t know why but I expected the training after killing the Scav to be easier but it wasn’t. Granted we didn’t have any blood thirsty Scavs to take out with only a handful of unsuitable weapons.

But the intensity was growing, and so was the pain. 

The thing that scared me the most was toward the end of the training session Thane would enter the room and stand in the shadows watching. It gave me the creeps but this time Silas and Eve did not tell him to leave even thought I could see by their body language that they weren’t comfortable in his presence either. It made me wonder why?

I hated every second of his unwanted presence. I could feel his evil eyes on me and I tried my best to ignore him.

As the sword swished just above my head as I bent down to avoid the strike. I was up against Brett, we were weapon training. This was as much fun as the stabbing session with more injuries. My arm was bleeding and my thigh had also been cut. 

Brett wielded the sword like a pro but he was not using his full force on me. There was a new profound respect from my fellow Sire, from the time of the training session with the Scav. 

“It’s enough,” Eve stated and I was relieved. I pressed my hand to the wound on my arm and hobbled to stand with the other Sires wincing with pain.

They were hardening us to fight, and I had to admit I was physically and mentally stronger than when I had first started. But it didn’t mean I didn’t hate every moment of it or wish there was a way out of it.

I avoided making eye contact with Thane, I don’t know why he seemed to be concentrating his attention on me. There was definitely something going on but I had no idea what. We weren’t important enough to be told, the only thing they wanted from us was survival and to become a good soldier so we would be able to take out the Scavs.

So far I was accomplishing both even if killing the Scav had been more luck than fighting skill. The only thing I could be proud of was that I had been strong enough to face the Scav head-on even though I had been scared. It was something.

“Go get cleaned up,” Silas said as I watched another two Sires face off against each other.

He didn’t have to ask me twice. The furtherest I could get away from Thane the better. 

But as I reached the door a hand on my arm stopped me. The hand made my skin shiver, cold. I turned to face Thane. His eyes scanned my features with a satisfying smile.

“You are truly beautiful,” he murmured, he seemed to talking to himself rather than complimenting me. 

I wanted to get as far away from him as possible but I had a feeling he was important enough to make me regret it if I tried. I was a nobody, with no rights or say over my own life. I belonged to the vampires.

He reached out to touch my face and I held myself still refusing to flinch. 

“Thane,” Silas interrupted as he appeared by my side. I hadn’t even heard him approach.

“I’m well within my right Silas.” His glare challenged Silas.

“She is injured and in need of medical assistance.” Their gaze was a battle of wills and I stood watching hoping Silas would win.

I didn’t want to spend another moment in Thane’s presence, not if I could help it.

Thane stepped away. “Until the next time.”

My eyes shot to Silas’ who remained silent. What did that mean?

I got out of there before Thane changed his mind. My mind was full of questions, trying to figure out what was going on and why Thane seemed to be focussing his attention on me. There had to be a reason, I just hadn’t figured it out yet.

I had no real way of finding out other than asking Silas which I swore to do the next time I saw him. There was an unsettled nervousness that had settled in the pit of my stomach and I couldn’t seem to relax no matter how much I tried.

I also found it strange that when I entered medical I was rushed into a separate room, with some privacy. That had never happened before. The doctors were a lot more kind with me and I was left wondering what had happened to change that.

When I made it back to my room after being patched up I was tired and annoyed that something had changed and I had no idea what. As soon as I got a chance I was going to ask Silas. There was no guarantee he would tell me but I had to try. I couldn’t walk around oblivious to what was really happening.

I cleaned up and lay on my bed. I closed my eyes and waited. 

Sometimes Silas would show up to check on me and I hoped this was on of the those time. He would be able to tell me everything I needed to know. But the question was, would he?

But someone else brought my glass of blood. There was no Silas.

It made for a difficult night’s sleep. My dreams were restless, some bordered on nightmares.

Thane’s evil gaze held mine. I wanted to run and hide but I was frozen to the spot with fear. 

“You are mine,” he whispered. Somehow I manage to step back but then I was frozen again.

The air swirled between us. The gold of his eyes gleamed revealing a more evil vampire fixated on me. It was my worst fear.

He shook his head. “You will be mine. There is no escape little Sire.”

My heart beat in my chest but I couldn’t move. He neared and I tried to frantically break free from whatever was holding me in place but my attempts were futile.

His lips moved slowly into a smile as his fingers trailed down my face. I closed my eyes trying to block him out. My skin crawled under his cold touch.

This couldn’t be happening.

“So beautiful,” he murmured. “Strong and beautiful.”

I wasn’t either of those things I wanted to say but I didn’t for fear of repercussions. 

One thing I had learnt about Vampires was they didn’t take well to being denied. 

I had no choices, no control. I was only here to do as I was told. 

But one thing I knew was that I wouldn’t allow this evil Vampire touch me, no matter what it cost me. It wasn’t something I could suffer through like the rest of the stuff I had been burdened with

“No.”

My denial came out just above a whisper.

His hand stilled. “What did you say?”

I cleared my throat. “No.” This time it was louder and more certain.

Thane chuckled. His hand lowered to wrap his cold hand around my throat. Our eyes clashed.

“You are mine little Sire.” There was an ease in his voice that was not reflected in his features. “You will do as I say. You belong to me now.”

“No.” I shook my head. 

The fear of death or anything they could do it to my parents wasn’t enough for me to allow Thane to do with me what he wanted to.

“You don’t have a say. You will do as I tell you.” His eyes gleamed as he held my gaze while his fingers tightened around my throat. Uncomfortably tight.

“No,” I repeated, like it held some weight.

He frowned. His hand gripped me tighter, shutting off my air supply.

My hands went to his to try and pry it free. 

In the distance, in the swirling smoke stood Silas. Watching.

Help. My mind screamed when my voice couldn’t.

But he didn’t move. 

No matter how much I tugged at Thane’a grip he didn’t ease it. I scratched and fought but he was too strong.

The dark smoke began to fill the space between us and it covered us as I began to weaken. My hands went limp.

I shot up in the bed. My hands going straight to my throat where I could still feel Thane’a grip.

I inhaled sharply feeling my lungs with much needed air. My mind running wild with fear. The fear that my nightmare would come to pass.