21| abase

D I A N E

The bride began to cry, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled against the servants. But then she felt the cold metal of a knife pressed against her forehead, and she froze, terror filling her. She knew she had to obey, that she had to do whatever they said if she wanted to survive. So she stopped struggling, her body going limp.

The servants took a step back, the knife still held close to the bride's head. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with fear and dread.

I turned away, unable to bear the sight of the woman's obvious distress. It was clear that she was being dehumanized, treated like a doll to be dressed and undressed at the whim of others. I couldn't bear to see her being humiliated any longer, and I quickly left the room, feeling sick to my stomach.

It was clear that this woman was being abused and controlled, and I couldn't do anything to help her.

My eyes caught a familiar, walking out of the room but Viktor noticed.

"Come on, Isaak," Viktor said, gesturing for him to stay. "I've got another couple lined up." I furrowed my brows, not understanding why that concerned Isaak. Isaak chewed his bubble gum, leaving the ballroom anyway. 

But before I could do anything, Viktor announced the next couple.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. I couldn't bear to see another woman humiliated in this way.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Viktor's words stopped me in my tracks. "I present to you Luka Delphine and Diane Mavrell."

My heart stopped when I heard my name being called, my brain refusing to believe what I was hearing. But there was no mistaking it - Viktor was looking right at me, his gaze intense. I saw two men approaching, one of them grabbing my arm and pulling me towards them. I tried to pull away, but it was no use. I was frozen in fear, my body shaking uncontrollably. I didn't know what they wanted from me, but I knew it couldn't be good.

Luka pulled out a gun, pointing it at the man who was holding me. His usually playful green eyes were hard and serious, his jaw clenched. I could see the tension in his body, the anger radiating off of him.

No, they were going to kill him because of me.

A sudden gunshot rang out, and I flinched, my heart skipping a beat. My eyes darted around the room, searching for the source of the shot. And then I saw it - Claudia, her eyes cold and distant, holding a gun in her hand. She had shot Viktor, who was now lying on the floor, clutching his leg in pain.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  "That'll teach you," Claudia spat.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from. Luka went down, clutching his arm. I ran to him, my heart pounding in my chest. I dropped to my knees, my hands trembling as I tried to assess the damage. I didn't know what to do, I felt so helpless.

Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me away from Luka. I struggled, trying to break free. I turned, swinging my fist at the man who was holding me. I felt my knuckles connect with his jaw, the force of the punch knocking him off balance.

That was to all the men that said I punch like a girl.

The brief moment of triumph faded as I saw another man advancing on Claudia. I felt my stomach drop as he took a swing at her, but she dodged the punch just in time. She was poised to strike back, but he was faster, twisting her arm behind her back and forcing her to cry out in pain. I was frozen in horror, unable to move. What could I do to help her?

Just then, I saw a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye. It was Viktor, charging towards the man who was holding Claudia. He tackled him to the ground, knocking him off of Claudia. Viktor stood

My mind raced, trying to figure out what to do. I had to help Claudia, but I didn't know how. I was paralyzed with fear, unable to move. That is until I spotted a glint of silver out of the corner of my eye. I looked down, and there it was - a knife, lying on the ground. I scooped it up, gripping it tightly in my hand.

I knew I had to act, or else Claudia would be in danger. I took a deep breath, and in one swift motion, I lunged at the man who was holding her. He turned just in

Luciano held Claudia close, his arms wrapped protectively around her. Her head rested against his chest, and I could see the relief on her face as she was finally safe.

"Let's get out of here," Luka said, slowly rising to his feet with the help of Luciano. "I'll take Diane," Luka said.

"No, I'll take her," Luciano said. "You're injured. I'll be fine on my own."

"I'll go with Luka," I said, my voice shaking. Claudia looked at me.

Luciano's gaze met mine, and I saw a glint of sadness in his eyes. Then he slipped something into my hand - a knife, with a wing and two initials, I.R

I recognized it immediately as Isaak's knife. I knew it was the one he had carried with him ever since I'd known him. My heart ached as I realized what it meant - Isaak was gone. I clutched the knife, trying to keep my composure.

Luka looked at me, and I saw understanding in his eyes. He didn't say anything, but I knew he knew what the knife meant

I could feel the tension in the air, as the ballroom fell silent. I held my breath, not wanting to make a sound. Then, I felt a sharp pain in my side. I winced, trying not to cry out. Luka noticed and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine, " I lied.

The only thing that was on my mind was getting out of here.

Just then, I heard another gunshot.

I closed my eyes as the bullet whizzed by me, shattering the mirror behind me. Shards of glass rained down, glittering on the marble floor like diamonds. Luka shielded me from the flying glass, his body tense with fear

And then, I heard another sound - the soft, muffled sound of a body hitting the floor. My eyes flew open, my heart pounding in my chest. I turned, not wanting to see what I knew was there.

Sure enough, Isaak was lying on the ground, his eyes closed, a pool of blood spreading beneath him.

I watched in horror as the bullet struck Isaak, the force of the impact knocking him to the ground. He lay there, unmoving, a pool of blood forming around him. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, my mind unable to process the fact that my friend was hurt.

And then, the most impossible thing happened - Isaak stood up. I blinked, my eyes refusing to believe what they were seeing. But there he was, standing in front of me, his face ashen and his eyes wide with shock. He reached out a hand, his mouth moving as if he were trying to speak. But I

"Diane, we have to go," Luka said, pulling me away from Isaak. I struggled against his grip, my heart racing as I watched Isaak lying on the ground.

"I can't leave him," I sobbed, my whole body shaking with fear and grief. I couldn't imagine leaving Isaak like this, not knowing if he was alive or dead.

Luka's face was tense and determined, his grip on me unrelenting. "I'm sorry, but we have to go. There's nothing we can do for him here."

Luka wrestled me away from Isaak, but I fought him with everything I had. I kicked, clawed, and screamed, desperate to get back to him. But Luka was stronger than I was, and he dragged me out of the room.

"I have to help him," I sobbed, as we made our way down the hallway. "Please, Luka, let me go!"

Luka didn't say a word, his expression grim as he hurried me down the hallway.

"Don't worry, his alive."  Was the last thing I heard until everything went black.