CHAPTER 63:
I woke up after what felt like hours.
My surroundings didn't look familiar.
It seemed I was in an empty, huge, dull room with only one entrance and from the looks of things, I was alone.
Where was I?
I tried moving but discovered my hands were bound and were spread out by chains that were from the ceiling.
I was also on my knees and exhausted.
What had happened?
Then events of the previous night hit me like a slap on my face.
The ball, walking around the grounds with Sam and the attack before everything blacked out.
Another realization came to me like a blow.
Where was Sam?
Terrible thoughts of what could have possibly happened to him flooded my brain and I began to panic.
There has to be a way out of here.
Then the doors opened and four guards rushed in as well as an old lady in dirty clothes.
"you're such a beauty" she said.
"I can't wait to see what secrets your body holds" she laughed manically, leaving me perplexed.
Then a familiar face walked into the room as well and I would recognize that red fiery hair even in my dreams.
It was that of Lady Hellen's.
"all in good time" she smiled at the old lady who was giddily stomping her feet.
What was going on?
"I see you're awake. That's nice-"
"how did you find me? Where's Sam? What do you want from me? -" I was suddenly met with a harsh slap to my face.
The impact immediately drew blood from my cheeks and I fell silent.
"Cyrus might be able to tolerate your yapping but I'm not as merciful" I felt her finger on my cheek as she wiped the blood and licked them clean off.
"the blood of the Khamatu. Very delicious" Hellen sighed in content.
How did she know what I was?
There were millions of questions flooding my head.
"you may annoy the f*ck out of me but I shall answer all your stupid questions before I begin the process so think well and ask me as much as you can because I won't grace you with such again"
I didn't speak for a while and collected as much information as I needed.
"where is Sam?"
"he's fine and untouched"
"how did you find me?"
"your beloved Sam led me to you"
A small gasp left me after her sudden accusation.
That couldn't be.
He would never betray us.
"h-how...w-w-why?" I had to swallow the pain.
Maybe she was just bluffing and a part of me wanted to believe that.
"I'll show you why…bring her in" she turned to the guards and they brought in a small, frail, little girl.
She had red hair as well and freckles but not as much as Sam did on his face.
The little girl looked slightly malnourished and like she would break at the slightest blow.
"can you remember when you all planned your escape and Sam said he wanted to bring someone along? Someone that he couldn't leave behind and that he loved? This is his younger sister"
He never mentioned her to anyone, not even Nadia.
"what does she have to do with any of this?"
"actually, she was the key. All this was possible because of her" she smiled wickedly.
"I don't believe you" I spat and she sighed before exchanging a look with one of the guards and he went off to get Sam.
He looked ok; not so much as a scratch on him but he looked sad.
Though he didn't look me in the eye, anyone could see it.
"Sam? Sam please tell me this isn't true…tell me she's lying" I whimpered.
"I'm sorry" he said his voice not louder than a whisper and I felt my whole world crumble.
I couldn't believe he betrayed me…after everything.
"why?" my throat was suddenly dry and the room began to spin.
"she found out we were going to escape and forced me to tell her about our plans or she would kill my sister. I have already lost every family I had and I wasn't ready to lose her too. We made an agreement that if I could get you to her, she would spare my sister"
"how did you lead her to us?"
"everything was through magic. She used it to track me and communicate with me every now and then" Sam bowed his head in shame
"you would have told us; we would have found the solution together"
"I'm so sorry Lyra; I really am" he turned and faced Hellen.
"the deed is done. Now can I please have my sister back? As promised?" beads of sweat was on his forehead; anyone could tell he was nervous.
"release the girl" Hellen gritted her teeth and a guard pushed the girl towards Sam with such force that she almost fell.
He held her in a bone crushing hug and tried not to cry into her clothes while she smiled as well.
"alright that's enough" the guard snatched the frail girl from his arms and another one restrained him.
"w-what are you going?"
"I was kind enough to let you say your goodbyes wasn't I?" Hellen chuckled.
"NO! You promised you wouldn't harm a single hair on her head" he tried fighting off the guard that held him in place but it was no use.
"you're right I did say that. And this is the hair I won't harm" Hellen plucked out a strand of hair from the poor girls' head.
"here you take it…but the rest of her is mine!"
"but I trusted you!" his voice cracked and I began to feel sorry for him.
"that was your mistake" Hellen took the child in her arms and sunk her fangs into her neck and sucked her dry in a matter of seconds before discarding her lifeless body like it was nothing.
What I had witnessed was horrible and a teardrop rolled down my face.
I didn't know her but it was really painful and sad to watch.
Sam looked as white as a sheet and all forms of emotions had vanished.
Even after everything, he still couldn't save her.
Even after going as far as betraying me all so he could be with his sister, it was all in vain.
"get them out of my sight. They're both useless to me now" and I watched as they were both dragged away.
Shortly after, me and Hellen were alone and she turned to face me, giving me her full attention.
"now; lets pick up from where we left off shall me?" Hellen asked with a fake smile.
Things are gonna get really violent from here on out
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