The Little Star

Sweet Darkness

Dreams are important to the human experience. They give us goals, aspirations to reach for that are bigger than ourselves.

As a teenager in high school, I dreamed of being prom queen, of meeting the perfect boyfriend and eventually of attending my dream college. As a Pre-teen my dreams were full of the ideas that I could pull my mom out of the struggle she’d lived in for the entirety of her life if only I could get the best grades.

When I was a child, my fantasies had been filled with the dreams of being a princess. That my father would swoop into our lives and whisk me and my family away to his far-off kingdom where we were royalty. Looking back, it’s crazy how close I was to the truth. My father had been the ruler of another worldly kingdom, I had just never dreamed it was Lycans.

But part of becoming an adult is realizing that dreams are for children. That fantasies are nothing more than wishful thinking.

Sitting in front of the dressing room mirror, my reflection brings to mind all of the dreams I’ve had since I was old enough to start wishing for more.

I’m not entirely sure why I was dolled up for tonight, but I looked the part of the princess I had once dreamed of becoming. My skin, which had once been Sunkissed due to the number of sports and activities I participated in, was scrubbed clean of the dirt and grim of the dungeons and seemed to glow in the florescent lights. I was so pale now due to the years of being locked away underground that my veins were visible, blues and purples pulsating under the skin. My ex-mate William would be all a twitter I was sure at the sight.

The stylist team had scrubbed my scalp clean of any debris I’d acquired while being locked behind those iron bars, one had whispered that years without proper shampoo had done my hair a favor, and I had to agree. One would think that with such pale skin, my silvery blonde hair would wash me out further, but instead the long pale locks looked beautiful with my skin tone. Add in my velvety blue eyes outlined with black and silver liner and dark mascara and I looked every bit the fairy princess being delivered to the monster on a silver tray.

Except for how skinny I had become. My once athletic body, with gentle curves, was all but gone. Without my Lycan, Dria, to assist in keeping me healthy, I’d wasted away. When showering I’d realized just how much weight I’d lost. My hip bones jutted out from my body; my skin stretched taught over them. Each of my ribs were visible, and if I hadn’t been fighting back tears, I may have even counted them. I had no measurable strength of my own anymore, too weak to do the one thing I needed to; save the women I’d left in their own cells.

The stylist team that had been sent to tend to me sat in one corner of the room, whispering among themselves, each glancing at me nervously throughout their conversation. They’d been acting oddly ever since they’d scrubbed me clean, their eyes glancing over the scars of my wrists and ankles from the chains that had been used to keep me subdued on those days that I had been feeling extra volatile. Or that was how the guards had put it.

One of the stylists in particular looked as if he were going to vomit. He looked to be a youngish young man, no more than twenty, and from the way he glanced at the gold banned on my wrist and the anxious glances at his friends’ fangs, I could tell he was human. How he’d gotten mixed up in all of this I wasn’t sure.

“He’s on his way now, Jamal, they are never going to let you bid on a prize that is already sold.” One of the women practically shouted, her bright, crimson red curls bobbing on her head as she glared daggers at the guy.

“Genevieve is right. Besides, I heard she wasn’t sold, but held here by a powerful prince.” The other woman added excitedly, as if she were imparting important gossip. Though for me, she was. My mind was whirling, there were two princes I could think of that would want me subdued and unable to run from him.

William, I knew would not be above locking me away. He was cold and calculating, things I was beginning to believe were just part of a vampire’s nature. He knew I wanted nothing to do with him, but being the heir to his mother’s throne now, he’d need me by his side more than ever.

Then there was Drogon. My blood sang at the very thought of his name, but I knew nothing about him. Could he have done this to me? Would he have locked me away so I could learn my place as his mate? I’d always heard dragons were controlling and dominating in every aspect of their lives. Perhaps he’d been unable to handle the fact that I hadn’t fallen automatically into his large, strong arms. The though nearly broke my heart.

“Which prince?” Genevieve asked her friend, leaning in closer while she ran a file over her already perfectly manicured nails. It was a nervous gesture she’d done any moment her hands hadn’t been preforming some kind of magic on me.

“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but from what a guard told me, he’s her mate!” The three of them gasped in unison, glancing over at me once more with pity in their eyes. So, my assumption was right, it was one of my mates. But which one? As my mind raced, the three of them went back to their conversation.

“How could anyone do this to their mate? She’s clearly been though hell.” Jamal muttered, shaking his head as if the very thought saddened him.

“No more than any of the other girls we’d worked on, Jamal, get your heart under control. See that gold banned on her wrist?” Genevieve asked, pointing with the nail file in her bony claws towards my arm.

“Yeah? It means she has powers that need to be restrained. So? Every girl we’ve worked on wore one?”

“No, every girl we’ve worked on had a silver bracelet, hers is gold, that means Lycan.”

“Like a werewolf?” Jamal asked, confusion written across his face as the two women rolled their eyes and laughed at him. “Silvea, what’s so funny?”

“No, werewolves are nothing compared to a Lycan. There are very few things on this planet that can take down a Lycan.” Silvea answered, Flashing a nervous glance at Genevieve. “Just ask Vie, she saw one in action.”

“Vie?” Jamal asked softly, placing a gentle hand on the woman’s arm.

“One of her kind can take out an entire werewolf army, Jamal, lets leave it at that. Please.” The sadness in her tone told me this woman had been hurt by one of my kind, and I made a mental note to look into what rogue Lycans were up to once I got free of this place.

The door to the room banged open, the metal hitting metal sending vibrations through the walls and floor. The three stylists jumped, so wrapped up in their conversation that they’d been unaware of the incoming footsteps. As the guards entered the room, they froze, their eyes on me and unblinking as their shocked expression took in the sight of me without the dirt and grim layered on my person.

Despite my weight loss, my breasts formed a pleasing curve in the low-cut gown they’d placed me in. You’d think I was heading to a ball instead of being passed from one prison to the next. The dark blue velvet gown was the perfect match to my eyes, and the silver thread laced through it resembled stars in a night sky.

A man in a dark suit walked through the door next, stopping next to the head guard who’d yet to speak, I wasn’t even sure he was breathing. While the gentlemen in the expensive looking suit stared in open admiration as well, a smile was curving his lips as his eyes roamed my body, his gaze reminding me of a buyer as he appraised the worth of a painting he was debating on owning.

“You mean to tell me we had such a goddess locked away all these years?” The stranger stepped forward, offering me a hand to help me stand from the bench. On any other occasion I would have refused. Glared at him, told him to suck a d*ck. But I wasn’t the queen of the Lycans now, I didn’t have my strength. I was in his world, and in order to help those girls below, I needed to play his game. So, I placed my hand in his and raised gracefully from my seat.

After three years barefoot, I was faintly surprised that I didn’t immediately fall flat on my face in the three-inch heels that had been strapped to my feet. Instead, it felt much like riding a bike.

“My name is Avery, I’ll be insuring you get to your destination safe and sound this evening, Miss…?” Avery left the question open. Clearly no one had told him who I was, which I found odd, but decided not to question.

“Celeste.” I answered softly. Playing up the damsel in distress card was all I had. If they believed me weak, or my spirit broken, I may find an opportunity to run.

“Celeste.” Drawing out each syllable, tasting the way it felt on his tongue. He must have found it satisfactory, because he smiled down at me and nodded his head as if he approved. “Perfect, it fits such an angelic disposition such as yours. I often have to change the names of the girls I sell to make them sound more exotic, but if you were up for auction, I believe I’d have kept your name.”

Bile rose in my throat as his words sunk in. This was the man who’d been selling my friends. Innocent young woman who’d done nothing wrong, sold into lives I didn’t want to even imagine, because I knew tears would gather in my eyes. And now was not the time to be emotional.

“I’m pleased it meets your expectations.” I murmured, as Avery tucked my hand in his elbow and lead me from the room. At first glance we’d look like any other couple ready for a night out. The hallways we walked through were exceedingly well decorated. Bright and painted in muted pastel colors that brought happy thoughts to mind, except I knew what they hid. The secrets that were buried behind their walls and under the shiny mahogany floors.

“That’s where I would normally lead you. Escort you around to meet the distinguished guests who’d come to meet you. But you are lucky in the respect that you get to forgo all of that, instead I will be taking you straight to your new master. He’s requested we lead you to his vehicles.”

I was leaving. Already? I’d had no time to attempt to escape. I’d had no time to try and get down to the dungeons and help the women who were relying on me. I had to think quickly, I needed to stay here.

“Could I use the restroom?” I asked, looking up at Avery with eyes, trying to appear as sweet as possible despite my racing heart.

His arm tightened over my hand as we neared a set of giant oak doors, guards on either side held guns that I was sure were loaded with gold bullets just for me incase I decided to run.

“He was very specific that you were to be brought out as soon as you were ready. I think he’s anxious to see you again.” Avery made it sound like I’d been here of my own free will, and this were all a romantic gesture made to win my heart.

I tried to take my hand from his grasp, but his own clapped down on it, refusing to release me.

“There’s no way out of this, it’s better if you just accept your fate.” Avery whispered, his warm breath raising goose bumps across my skin.

“I make my own fate.” I growled, raising my free fist to slam up into his nose. Cartlidge cracked under my knuckles, satisfaction curving my lips as dark liquid began pouring from his nostrils. In the shock that followed, I swopped up my dress and turned to run back the way we’d come, determined to reach the dungeons and get my girls out.

This was no plan, and I knew that, but I had no other choice. If I left here tonight with who ever was waiting on me outside those doors, I’d never find this place again, I new it in my bones. I couldn’t give up on them without a fight.

I heard the guns go off and ducked my head and shoulders, bringing one arm up to help protect me. Something slammed into me, knocking me off my feet. As I tripped and hit the floor I attempted to bring my arms up to protect my face, but my actions were too slow, my head slammed into the floor, a sickening crap sounding through my ears. The room spun, my eyes struggling to adjust even as I pushed my self to my hands and knees. A warm sensation was trailing down my arm, followed by a stinging in my shoulder, but I ignored both, my mind centered on one thing and one thing alone. I had to reach them.

“I said don’t shot, you i***t!” I heard Avery hollering, his deep voice vibrating off the walls.

“She ran for it!” Another voice argued, though there was the mark of fear lacing his words.

“I don’t care if she held a gun to your family jewels! The client was very clear! No harm was to come to her! Now look what you did! She’s been shot and probably fractured her skull. If I lose even a penny on this deal, it will come from you in flesh!” Footsteps were pounding down the hall as guards rushed towards me, but with the way the world was spinning out of control, I knew I wouldn’t be able to fight. Soon my vision was going to go black as I fell into darkness.

“Get her up. Now! Before he comes looking for her and finds her like that.” Avery was sneering. But a new sound, that of a door being slammed open, cut off all action in the hall as I found my arms and legs giving out on me and I slumped to the floor. Barely keeping my eyes open.

“Sir, give us but a few minutes and I’ll have her fixed up and-“

“Enough Avery, I paid you for one thing. Keep my girl safe and healthy.” I knew that voice, I couldn’t place it, but I knew that voice. “You’ve clearly done neither.” His deep voice was pure ice.

I felt arms wrap around me and lift me from the floor. I could do nothing but lay there limply as my vision went in and out, nothing coming into view long enough to register.

“Come on, my star, time to shine.” The last words I heard sent a shaft of pain through my heart. Those words. What he called me. His star.

The blackness that I’d been fighting was now a sweet escape from the nightmare my life had veered towards.