– Chapter 184

Selene

If I thought Blaise’s city was an atrocity, it’s nothing compared to his pack house. In fact, Pack house is honestly a misnomer, it’s more akin to a palace. That’s why it’s so easy to see why Arabella liked this place so much – it’s full of the kind of gaudy excess and cruelty she adored.

The worst part is that Blaise is still crooning to me as if I’m a puppy, pointing out every detail of his horrible home. His servants, who all avert their gazes from him as if afraid making eye contact will cost them their heads, open every door for us as we pass. They race along side us offering refreshments and amenities, but I can see the bruises on their skin and the terrified look in their eyes.

Every inch of the place is covered in wealth, and I can see nervous looking aristocrats glancing our way out of the corner of their eyes.

“First things first, my beauty.” Blaise says, leading me forward by the hand. “We have to make sure you don’t get carried away with that magic of yours. But as soon as that’s done, we’ll get you cleaned up and feed you.”

“You don’t need to contain my magic.” I protest. “You have Bastien, I’m not going to do anything to risk him.”

“Of course you will.” He chuckles, “It’s in your nature.

I’m trying to keep track of all the rooms we’re moving through to map out the mansion in my mind, but it doesn’t do any good. This place is too enormous for me to sort out mentally.

“Where is Bastien anyway?” I ask, “what did you do with him.”

“He’s safe.” Blaise promises.

“How do I know that, how can I trust you’ll keep your word?” I demand. “I want to see him!”

“Perhaps, if you’re very, very good for me.” He leers, “but not yet, not until you earn it.”

He steers me into a room that looks like some sort of armory, but everything inside is made of silver instead of iron. I see a collection of collars and bracelets, and suddenly realize that most of the aristocrats and guards I’ve seen are wearing some version of the accessories. “This is how you keep people from defying you.” I think aloud, “this is how you keep wolves away from the moon. They aren’t obeying you willingly, you’re dampening their powers.”

“Very good.” Blaise praises, petting my long hair. “Of course none of them have powers like yours. You’ll need something extra special.” He pulls a pair of moonstone studded bracelets from the wall, more ornate than any of the other creations. “I had these made in preparation for you. I always knew I’d find you one day.”

As soon as the bracelets are clapped around my wrists, I feel my magic slipping away as swiftly as it had beneath Arabella’s shackles. It feels like it did when I had Luna, but hadn’t yet tapped into my powers. It’s as if my hands have been tied behind my back, and I’m fighting with only half my skills.

“There now.” Blaise grins, “let’s get you up to your new rooms.”

I’m only mildly relieved to hear that my rooms are not the same as his. When we reach the fifth floor of the sprawling estate, he pushes open a pair of double doors and reveals a stunning suite fitted with every amenity one could ever imagine – until of course one sees the bars on the windows.

A pack of servants sweep in behind us, leading me forward and out of Blaise’s hands. “You know what to do ladies.” He instructs them. I want her looking perfect for me.” He chucks me under the chin, “You and I have a dinner date, my beauty. I’ll see you in two hours.”

Offering up my best simpering smile, I bat my eyelashes even as my heart pounds in my chest. “Can’t wait.”

Blaise’s laughter carries back to me as he sweeps out of the room, with the bearing of a man who’s won the lottery.

The servant girls lead me into the bathroom and strip off my clothes, and as terrified I am about what a dinner date with Blaise might entail, I can’t help but enjoy the first shower I’ve been allowed in days. Once I’m clean and feeling ten times more human than I had a few minute before, the servants pour me into a skin tight cocktail dress and paint me in a heavy layer of shellac – one that covers the circles beneath my eyes and all the signs of my exhaustion.

Once they finish they leave me alone to worry in peace. Not one of them said a single word to me while they worked, but I caught more than one pitying look. Glancing at the clock, I realize there’s only fifteen more minutes before our supposed date. Stalking out into the suite, I begin scanning the room frantically for some sort of escape, and pull up short when I realize I’m not alone after all.

There in the middle of the room, as if she appeared out of thin air, is Helene. She’s wearing a servant’s garb and a sad smile. “Well you clean up well.”

“Oh Goddess am I glad to see you!” I exclaim, throwing my arms around the woman.

“Gentle little mother, I’m little more than a bag of bones at this point.” She cautions, patting my cheek.

“How on earth did you get up here?” I ask, glancing around nervously.

“Getting old has it’s benefits,” She shrugs, “being underestimated and going unnoticed is one of them.” Looking me over closely, she adds, “Are you alright?”

“No.” I confess, shaking my head. “I’m not. I’m terrified. You have no idea the horrific plan Blaise is forming. He doesn’t just want this baby for himself, he plans on breeding me so we can sacrifice a second and he can keep me forever.”

Helene nods gravely, “I sensed it was something like that. There is truly something twisted in that man’s soul.”

“What am I going to do, Helene?” I fret, wringing my hands. “I don’t have the first idea how to get to Bastien, or how to keep Blaise at bay. The only idea I have so far is to act fawning. For a tyrant who expects everyone to fall at his feet, he seems oddly attracted to my defiance.”

She nods again, “He’s a killer, he likes to hear his victim’s pain.” She scans the room as we talk, seeing the world with that second sight of hers and making me ache with curiosity to know what she’s discovering. “That part of him is both entwined and apart from the authoritarian. You can’t expect a madman to be logical darling.”

“When you told me I was destined to face him…?” I ask, “did you see how, do you know whether…” I can’t seem to get the words out. I’m too afraid of the answers she holds.

“No little mother, not even I can see the future that clearly.” She sighs, “There are too many variables.”

“You wouldn’t tell me even if you did know though, would you?” I press.

“No.” She smiles sadly. “I wouldn’t.”

“So what do I do?” I beg. “I’m supposed to have dinner with him in a matter of minutes and somehow I don’t think he’s the type of rapist that likes to take things slowly.”

“You already know the answer to that, Selene.” Helene informs me maddeningly.

“No I don’t!” I exclaim, hating that she’s turning my moment of despair into a teaching moment. “I might have some ideas if I wasn’t trapped in these shackles of his, but I can’t access any of my powers like this!”

“Well in that case,” Helene smiles slyly, “we’ll just have to take off the shackles.”

“Take off the shackles.” I throw my hands up, “well why the hell didn’t I think of that?”

“Hush now.” My mentor says gently, “you let me worry about those bracelets of yours, and in the meantime, use your other superpower.”

Now I’m truly glaring, “Helene if you’re going senile, you really need to tell me because this is not the time.”

“All mothers are superheroes, Selene.” She proclaims, pressing her hand to my belly, “and you have a skill that no one would admire, but which just might buy you some time.”

Slowly, very slowly, her meaning clicks in my brain. No one would want to go through the hell of my morning sickness, especially not a man like Blaise. “I don’t really consider puking a skill.” I tell her, relaxing slightly, “but I can’t think of a better turn off – or anyone I would rather vomit on, than that monster.”

“That’s my girl.” She praises, slipping back away towards the door. “I’ll be back Selene, as soon as I can. Just hang in there.”

“I’ll try.” I confirm shakily, not feeling nearly as confident as I sound. “I don’t have any other choice.”

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