His House, His Rules
1439 Words
They didn’t blindfold me, and that... that told me everything. Men like him don’t hide where they take you. They expect you won’t leave.
The drive was very quiet. No one spoke, not even Kael. The city lights faded behind us, replaced by long stretches of empty road and guarded silence.
I kept my head slightly turned, watching through the window without making it obvious.
I was counting turns, timing distance, and tracking direction. It was an old but useful habit of mine.
I was already making an escape plan from all this.
And I'll make sure to leave here with his head.
We passed through two gates before the car finally slowed. The second one was heavier, reinforced, guarded by men who didn’t bother hiding their weapons. This wasn’t just a house, it was his fortress.
The car stopped, and Kael stepped out first, then opened my door.
“Out,” he commanded me.
I got out of the car without hesitation.
I stepped forward, taking in the structure in front of me. It wasn’t flashy. No unnecessary display of wealth.
It had dark walls, clean lines, and security positioned where it mattered, not where it showed.
“Move,” Kael said.
I walked.
Inside, the silence hit first. Everything seemed too organized, too quiet. The corridor was empty, but I could not shake off the feeling that people were here. I heard movements behind the walls, footsteps in distant corridors, but no one spoke.
We moved down a long hallway, polished floors reflecting the low lights above. Every step echoed just enough to remind me I wasn’t alone, but I also wasn’t free.
A door opened ahead.
“Inside,” one of the guards commanded.
I stepped in without asking.
The room was simple. There was just a small bed, a chair, a table, and there were no windows.
I turned slowly, taking it in.
“Is this where you keep all your guests?” I asked.
Kael leaned against the door.
“Only the ones we don’t trust.”
“That’s not very welcoming.”
“We’re not trying to be.”
I looked around the room, searching for a camera, Kael saw me, but that didn’t mean anything.
“You can search if you want,” he added.
“I already did.”
He leaned in closer and smiled.
“You won’t find a way out,” he said.
“I’m not looking for one.”
“Not yet.”
I looked at him.
“You should eat,” he said. “You’ll need it.”
“For what?”
“You’ll see.”
“I’ll pass.”
“That wasn’t a suggestion.”
“It sounded like one.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“Eat,” he repeated.
I held his gaze for a second longer, then walked past him toward the table. Not because he told me to, but because I needed strength.
Freshly prepared meals were lined up on the table.
They had probably waited so long to serve a visitor... prisoner, I mean.
I sat down slowly. Kael didn’t leave.
“You planning to watch me?” I asked.
“Part of the job.”
“Make sure I don’t choke?”
“Make sure you don’t try anything.”
I picked up the fork, pausing just slightly.
“If I wanted to try something,” I said, “you wouldn’t see it coming.”
“That confidence is going to get you hurt.”
“Or keep me alive.”
Silence stretched between us again.
“Why didn’t you run?” he asked.
I glanced at him.
“What do you mean?”
“At the docks,” he said. “You had a chance.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“You could’ve tried.”
“And end up dead?”
“Maybe.”
“Then that answers your question.”
He studied me for a second.
“You’re not scared enough.”
“I’m scared enough,” I replied. “I just don’t show it.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“For who?”
He didn’t answer, and that was answer enough.
I took a bite, slow, controlled, my mind already moving ahead. Mapping, planning, watching.
This place has structure, routine, weak points.
Every system does. I just needed time.
The door opened behind us.
Kael straightened immediately.
I didn’t turn, but I felt him before I saw him.
“You left her unrestrained.”
His voice was calm and controlled.
“She’s not a threat,” Kael said.
“Everyone’s a threat.”
His footsteps moved closer.
I looked up.
Raze stood a few feet away, his gaze already on me.
“You’re settling in,” he said.
“I’ve had worse.”
“Doubtful.”
“Try me.”
A flicker of something crossed his eyes. Interest again. He stepped closer, stopping just short of the table.
“You’re comfortable,” he observed.
“I adapt.”
“Quickly.”
“It’s a useful skill.”
“It won’t help you here.”
“Everything helps.”
He pressed his fingers on the table.
“You didn’t eat much,” he said.
“I wasn’t hungry.”
“Eat.”
He f*****g tries to control everything and now he is trying to control me. I leaned back slightly, meeting his gaze.
“You always repeat yourself,” I said, “or just when people don’t listen the first time?”
That was very bold of me to say but I really didn't care. The expression on Kael's face said everything, but Raze didn't show anything. His face was like stone, a beautiful sculpted face. I don't know why, but I began to notice his striking features.
“Finish it,” he said quietly.
I hesitated for a second, but I didn't take my eyes off him. Then picked up the fork again slowly. Not because I was told, but because choosing when to push mattered, and this wasn’t the moment.
He watched patiently until I took another bite.
“Good girl,” he said.
It felt like I had just passed something. I didn’t like that, not even a little.
“You’re not tied down here,” I said.
“No.”
“Door’s not locked.”
“No.”
“But I’m not leaving.”
“No.”
“Why?”
He stepped closer. He was so close I could feel the heat from his body. He placed his hand on my chin and lifted it slightly, our eyes locked in.
“Because you understand something,” he said.
“And what’s that?”
“That leaving without permission…”
He paused...
“…comes with consequences.”
“I figured,” I said, pulling my chin from his grip, and looked away. Another moment passed. Then he straightened.
“To answer your earlier question,” he said.
“I didn’t ask one.”
“You were going to.”
I sighed, looking back at him.
“What happens now?” I asked.
His expression didn’t change.
“You stay.”
“That’s not new.”
“No,” he said. “But the reason is.”
I waited.
“You’re not just a witness,” he continued. “You’re a problem.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
“I’m sure.”
“And what do you do with problems?”
He turned around and started walking toward the door, then stopped and looked over his shoulder. Straight at me.
“I study them,” he replied.
Something cold settled in my chest.
“Sounds like a waste of time.”
“I don’t waste time.”
He turned away, already done with the conversation, and continued walking. He stopped as he opened the door, looking over his shoulder again.
“And Elara...”
I looked at him.
His gaze held mine.
“If you try to run…”
A pause.
“…I won’t stop them from breaking you.”
Silence followed him out. The door closed behind him. The room felt smaller after that, but I didn’t move.
I looked down at the table, then slowly set the fork aside. My mind wasn’t on the food, or the room, or even the guards outside.
It was on him.
Raze.
My fingers curled slightly against the edge of the table. I needed to take this man down, and this was an opportunity, and I wasn’t going to waste it. Because this time… I wasn’t the one being hunted. I was already inside his world, and sooner or later... I was going to burn it down.
- Writer
