CLAIMED BY THE REGENT

chapter 3🥀4

The nerve wrecking feeling still loomed in the hall. Even the event for the night had also come to a halt .

The rest of the girls were ushered back inside alongside Catherine too where they would be shared to the necessary positions awaiting newbies.

Soline kept her eyes fixed on Catherine as they disappeared through the door that slammed shut.

Her arms wrapped around her body as she let out a ragged breath. Then she turned leaving the hall into the cold night.

That was one hell of a drama that has never happened in years as she could hear people say.

Many wondered who the redhead was. While some already hated her to the core. But Soline only had a proud smile on.

At least there is finally a woman who isn't scared to defend herself.

**

**

Back in the bedroom they were first ushered out of, silence stayed for minutes and all eyes were on Catherine who felt kind of uncomfortable.

“What was that about?" Scarface finally asked,voice laced with doom. Eyes glaring at Catherine like she could just rip her head from her neck instantly.

“I had to defend myself. He was going to touch me inappropriately." She defended.

The girls were surprised at her boldness.

This redhead clearly has a lot of liver in her.

“How old are you, child?" One of the two women who joined them asked. She wasn't here from the start.

Catherine glanced around uncomfortably then faced the woman.

“My age?" She pointed at her own chest.

“I'm eighteen. Just clocked it." She replied and everyone, including Scarface, seemed shocked.

Eighteen? Their eyes raked her like she was something on display.

“What a lie." The second woman with Scarface scoffed.

“Even the devil wouldn't believe that."

Well, Catherine really couldn't blame them.

Her body and mind defies her own age.

“Eighteen or less, just know that you are in deep shït. Void might have chosen you but alongside that protection,trust me,you would suffer a great deal." Scarface sneered.

“Who knows, maybe he is curious to know exactly how long your intestines are." She said lucidly and the girls cringed.

Catherine even felt her own blood run cold and she swallowed heavily.

Scarface turned to the rest,face grim.

“You only got lucky tonight because this bïtch ruined the mood. You all will be assigned to different stations according to your number. One to 4 are bearers. Go with her." Scarface announced referring to the woman who had asked Catherine of her age and they couldn't even complain but reluctantly followed.

This was their life now.

“Five and six are now keepers. Follow her” she pointed at the second woman and they moved, feeling thankful at least.

“Seven,eight and ten,you three are now members of the velvet circle and you stick with me.” Scarface said and they began to shed tears again.

They could as well just die at that moment.

Catherine was the only one left and Scarface eyes zeroed on her.

“And you? You are pretty tough and since Void chose you, you now belong to the Unblooded." She said with a nasty smirk on and Catherine couldn't even understand why this particular lady was so invested in her.

“Follow me! I'll show you to your suite redhead. And you three, make your way to the brothel. I shouldn't get there before you." She ordered and marched out.

Catherine immediately went after her and the three girls were left utterly confused.

**

“Ughhh, it was so thrilling to watch." Soline kept up with her gist as Nyxara seemed so interested in it.

She had gone to get her empty jug filled with water when she noticed the clan was stirred up and from an event that just took place in the Sun House. The one person she knew would have the full gist was Soline.

And here she was, listening.

“So you are saying, Void came in just in time to stop that man from hitting one of the new girls?" Nyxara had to ask. “And even selected her for himself?"

Soline nodded, sitting on her bed.

“Trust me,I was equally shocked. I wasn't even expecting Void to be in that setting with how much I've come to know him. Well, maybe he did it for a change." She said with a casual shrug and Nyxara shook her head.

“Void would never just pick a woman." She muttered, and jealousy clung to her every word.

The door of their suite suddenly pushed open and they both faced it in shock to see the second top tutor in the disciples of pain and the 001 of the Velvet Circle.

“Cora?" Nyxara stood up, surprised to see her. And Soline stood up too,even more surprised to see the redhead too.

“He hasn't sent for you tonight?" Scarface whom Catherine realized actually has a name as soft as that spoke.

“He hasn't." Nyxara muttered, eyeing Catherine now.

“And who is she?” She asked icily. Soline was already smiling brightly, hoping her wish was about to come true.

" Your new roommate. Enjoy.” Cora replied then faced Catherine. Her eyes glared at her for a moment before she marched out again.

Silence stayed between all three with Nyxara scrutinizing the redhead deeply.

“O my!" Soline finally gushed and rushed at Catherine. Her face was bright with a big smile that even affected Catherine.

“Welcome to Obsidian Cartel. I'm Soline, your new roommate." She introduced and faced Nyxara. “And she is–"

" Someone you shouldn't cross.” Nyxara cut in sharply,voice laced with venom.

" Get out of my path.” She seethed and they both quickly shifted for her to pass.

" That was rude.” Catherine scoffed while Soline moved to shut the door.

" Don't worry. Nyx is always on edge but with time , you'll get used to it.” She assured.

" There is no getting used to that.” Catherine muttered. She then busied herself with looking around the bedroom while Soline cheerily spoke about how lonely she has been.

“It's like a dream come true with you here now,” she finally sighed, and Catherine, who had been listening, just smiled.

“It is so funny,” she said, and Soline creased her brows. She was confused.

“I mean, the kind of personality you have,” Catherine added quickly.

“It is a sharp contrast to this kind of place.”

Soline pressed her lips together.

“Well, I can't say I have been this excited in months since I got here,” she had to admit.

Catherine immediately understood that she, too, may have been bought here.

Her eyes raked through her body, covered in a dress and a sweater.

“Well,” Soline suddenly spoke, unconscious of Catherine staring at her.

"Let's get you to this thrift hall. You really need a change of clothes.”

Catherine gathered her brows, watching Soline go over to the wardrobe and open to the middle one, taking out another sweater.

She came back to Catherine and gave it to her.

“Put it on. We can't have those wild animals out there eyeing your chest while we step out.” She scoffed, and Catherine began to put it on.

“But Void chose me. Wouldn't that come with consequences?” Catherine had to ask, and Soline smirked.

“True, I completely forgot about that. Come on. They will lock the halls soon.” Soline grabbed her hand and they left.

**

Nyxara was allowed to pass through the small guarded bar gate, with a short fence surrounding the ghostly dark manor, standing in a part of the clan, more like on a hill.

It was separated from the rest of the clan just like the Sovereign’s citadel.

As she walked down the stoned path, the moonlight gave her clear sight, and the heavy trees, dancing in the wind, blew her hair around.

Once she got to the door, she was about to knock once, to announce her entry, but it opened with her gaze running into that of Marian.

She is the one in charge of the affairs in the kitchen. She eye-scanned Nyxara with a questioning look.

“I am here for the regent,” Nyxara informed, and Marian scoffed.

“I do not believe he sent for his toy, dear.” Her words came out to Nyxara , who felt the sting.

Her hands clasped in fury at her sides.

Her eyes drilled into Marian's, who looked at her distastefully.

She is the one person who isn't even trying to redeem Nyxara.

Anything concerning the velvet circle irritates her so much, and the fact that she can't stop her son from calling on the services of Nyxara, who is his most preferred slut, annoys her more.

Without a word, Marian walked out past Nyxara, who rolled her eyes and went in, shutting the door.

The interior smelled like smoke, mixed with spicy scents that are capable of irritating the nose of a newcomer.

She was already used to it.

The place seemed to swallow the lights that tried to illuminate the living room, and with how much she has been here, she knows it is always the same with the other parts of the hauntingly big manor.

It had only dark furniture and the most odd and cringe paintings hanging on the walls.

As she took a step, his voice cut through the loud silence.

“I believe I didn't send for you.” Void's chilling voice rang in her ears, and slowly she turned to a darker part of the living room.

That was when she saw him sitting on a single couch, glorifyingly shirtless with a burning cigarette at hand.

He blended so well in the shadows like he was a part of it, and that made her admire him even more.

“I thought you might be needing company.” Nyxara managed to speak. She was trying hard to have a proper look at his face.

Silence loomed.

He finally moved with the leather making sounds as he stood.

And as he took nerve-wrecking steps towards her, Nyxara felt her heart hammer against her chest and her own breaths became all too loud.

She might be defiant or rude or cruel, but the only person who brings her to bow just by existing alone is Void. He does that to anyone!

His face became clearer the more he approached.

Her eyes got dragged to his, and she nearly got lost in the emptiness before she quickly looked away at his chest.

More silence loomed as he smoked, watching how much of an ant she looked like.

She had seriously walked in here to ruin his alone time!?

Now all he could imagine was ways to pluck out every single hair on her body.

Maybe he could just dip her in scalding hot water and do it.

On second thoughts…

“You know what to do.” he said at last, and her heightened senses calmed before she moved to the hallway.

It had quite a number of doors, including his bedroom that she has been to only once in the past.

That was years ago and on her first meeting with him.

Truthfully, she died and came back to life that day because Void surely tortured the hell out of her.

He broke three of her toes and shifted them back in place because according to him, she polluted his bedroom with her presence.

Blinded by rage, he still burned down the room with himself in it. And Marian was the only one who was able to drag him out.

Void believed he purified the room by just doing that.

It was Nyxara's first impression of him and it was terrifying.

In a nutshell, his bedroom is off limits.

She reached the door at the end of the hallway and entered.

It was what people would call a ‘kink’ room with all kinds of s*x toys in it, not to forget whips, belts, and cuffs.

It was all black, unlike the romantic red.

The only gentle part of the room is the soft bed, and she can't remember the last time he fvcked her on it.

Quickly, she got rid of her clothes and stood on a platform with a suspended pole and hanging cuffs.

When he eventually got to the room, Nyxara breathed deeply, preparing for another night of brutal seggs.

Anything to have his çock in her until her mission is accomplished.

**

“Wow! There are so many things here,” Catherine gushed as she and Soline went through a large crate of clothes.

“I got a shirt!” Soline announced, lifting it.

“I think this trouser would fit,” Catherine raised. what she also found. They kept it aside among the other clothes they've been selecting for Catherine.

“So why a thrift hall?” Catherine asked, then glanced around the place.

There were also shelves with footwears and even other accessories.

“Think of it like a charity house. Many high-ranking clan members shop from the black store, although it's like shopping online, then it is brought in on delivery day.”

" We, in the lower ranks, can't afford new clothes,so we just rely on these,” Soline explained.

“And where do these come from?” Catherine questioned.

“Thrift stores outside, or from members who get bored of their things,” she replied, and Catherine looked like someone who still had more questions.

“Sorry, but are people here on payroll?” She had to ask, and Soline scoffed.

“You wish. Not people like us who have been forced here to be in the lower rank. It is–”

“But I was assigned to the unblooded.” Catherine instantly revealed, and Soline's eyes widened.

She looked horrified, and that made Catherine have even more questions.

“You were assigned there? Wow,” she muttered, eyes wandering.

“Is it bad?” Catherine asked.

Really bad, Soline thought.

Then forced a smile.

“Oh, no, not at all,” she lied, literally.

She quickly went to another crate.

“We should hurry.” She said and Catherine turned and watched her for a while.

Convinced that something was wrong, she shrugged before going to the shelf.

**

**

“The dining hall is always open, but high-rankers get only the best meal," Soline told as she and Catherine walked through the clan with bags full of necessities for Catherine.

"And you've never tried escaping?" she blurted. Soline looked at her fast in shock, then glanced around before facing her again.

"Do you have a death wish?" Her voice had dropped low.

"What? The life here is clearly shitty. We were bought like dolls and treated like trash. It's only fair that we break free," Catherine defended, and Soline came to a halt.

She looked Catherine in the eye, not blinking for once.

"There is no escaping this place. Anyone who tries, dies. Every set of bought slaves or recruits has at least 10% trying to escape. Do you know how it ends?"

The question hung in the air between them.

"This is your life now, Catherine. The sooner you accept it, the better for you." That was Soline's conclusion before she walked on.

Catherine stood in a fix.

Her head couldn't wrap around it at all.

She looked around and saw many members living their lives like nothing was wrong.

Like this place wasn't polluted.

Was this really it?

“Come on, Catherine! We should hurry and go grab dinner already." Soline had turned to see Catherine still halted, and she nodded before covering the distance.

In the brothel, music, alcohol, and women were always endless. There were the regular or VIP spaces too.

In one of the VIP spaces sat Drex with three sluts around him, touching every inch of his body through his clothing.

One mounted his lap and began to grind, kissing his neck, sucking and biting.

"Yeah," he sighed and spanked her ass, then pointed at the two.

"Fvck yourselves, I wanna watch," he ordered, and they rushed at each other.

They had been waiting for that order all night.

As they swung into action, Drex unhooked his belt and took out his curvy coçk before guiding the slut on him down on it hard, and she yelped in pain.

Her cervix was already affected by them, and he started his furious slamming while her nails scratched him, mixed with her frantic cries for him to slow down.

A man walked into the scene taking place and wasn't so surprised.

“Drex!” he called out loud.

He seemed like he was so deeply engrossed in what he was doing, so much that the skin of the slut he f****d and spanked had already turned deep red.

“Motherfvcker, this is serious!” the man yelled and Drex growled, pushing the slut off him, and she ran out of the room, falling in between.

“ I haven't even c*m!” he snarled, fixing his trousers.

“You're paying for that s**t,” he spat, and walked out with the man.

“Void asked for you. What were you expecting me to do?” Paul snorted, and Drex halted.

“He did? s**t! how long now?” he asked, and Paul shrugged.

“He said he rang your cellphone once.” That was all he said, then smirked.

“You might get your pretty coçk chopped off tonight,” he sneered, but Drex was already running out.

Paul chuckled, heading back to the VIP.

“I might as well have you bïtches since I'm paying,” he said, upon the entry, already unbuckling his belt.

“Cut the disgusting s**t!,” he snarled, and they separated quickly.

**

When Drex finally reached the Manor, he was already out of breath. He knocked once and entered.

The air inside was thick with smoke curling lazily through the dim space, the sharp scent of substances lingered heavily in the air.

On the floor, in front of the center table, was Void who sat hunched forward with his head buried deep in coke.

He sniffed and dragged, sounding so animalistic and Drex watched in silence.

A sharp sigh of satisfaction left Void as he threw his head back, nose white and hair disheveled.

“You called for me,” Drex finally spoke, and Void's eyes opened.

It was red, but he didn't seem half as high as someone who should be in his current position, especially with the combination he was having.

He was focused. Way too focused.

“The room,” he said, sounding detached, as usual, and sniffed, rubbing his nose.

“Get the bïtch out of my building,” he ordered, and Drex nodded before making his way down the hallway.

He didn't need to be told where to go, and he opened the door, where he met the unconscious body of Nyxara hanging with her wrists cuffed over her head.

Dried tears tracks were on her red face and her skin was full of whip marks, but none of them bled.

Some of her hair was cut up and on the floor.

Drex immediately understood that she either pissed him off or someone else did, and she took the blow.

“Always taking out the trash,” he scoffed and began to work.

**

Catherine stepped out of the bathroom, fresh from the bath and in new clothes.

“Wow!” Soline gushed and palmed her mouth.

What blew her away was how better Catherine’s hair was looking.

“You're really lucky to be this pretty,” she admired, and Catherine laughed, hanging the towel on the only chair in the bedroom.

Then she began to brush her hair gently.

The silence in the room got interrupted when the door was kicked open and Drex came in with Nyxara in his arms, wrapped in black sheets.

He dropped her on the bed, roughly, and the girls quickly rushed to check her.

“What happened to her?” Soline asked, facing Drex. He was about to leave, then halted and faced her.

“She got to the brutal fvck like the slut she is. That's what happened,” he sneered, and Catherine faced him immediately.

She instantly recognized him as the one who spoke trash endlessly when ‘buying’ her.

Her tongue itched and she gave in.

“Seems like all you love doing is talking trash about women,” she said, and Soline's eyes widened.

She quickly held Catherine's arms, but she was having none of that.

“Who the fvck do you think you're talking to?” Drex snarled.

Catherine made really disgusted faces all at once.

“A man who is lesser than a woman because he can’t control his big mouth,” she replied boldly, and Soline nearly fainted.

Does she know who Drex really is!?

He glared at her, itching to slap the s**t out of her face, but he knew he couldn't.

Not with the rules, and certainly not now that Void has a weird reason to have chosen her.

He covered the steps left between them with a glaring contest on.

“You just made your second enemy. Maybe the third, who knows, but I give even less fvcks about the number.”

“I will use your skull to drink wine. Keep that in mind,” he seethed and left briskly.

The heaviness of his threat loomed and Soline was the only one who felt it.

“You'll get yourself killed before you even last a week here. You need to get a hold on yourself,” she exclaimed and Catherine scoffed.

“Don't tell me you're frightened of that piece of s**t. Look, don't worry about me. Void chose me, and y'all keep saying he has never done that. It means that I am covered. Chill,” Catherine bragged, and Soline shook her head.

“You don't know, do you?” She said quietly. “He is the war marshal,” she added, and Catherine's face instantly drained of color.

A weird laugh left her. A weird and confused one.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“That man, his name is Drex. The only man close to Void. The only one who can turn him against someone besides his mother. You just pushed the wrong buttons.” Soline was scared to the core.

“Wait,” Catherine shook her confused head. “Void has a mom? Here?” she asked, and Soline nodded slowly.

“What!?”

That sounded insane. It was insane.

_Years in the past....

The boy was barely clocked sixteen when his path crossed with the Sovereign of the Obsidian Cartel that night.

His father had left him all alone to his fate due to fear but he wasn't harmed. Instead the Sovereign showed a certain degree of warmth towards him and brought him into the clan.

That warmth didn't last because he was thrown to the wolves all in the name of ‘shaping’.

And it was one of those hard days.

Blow after blow landed against him. All merciless and precise.

Training, is what they called it. But there was nothing controlled about it.

It was brutality disguised as discipline.

He hit the ground more times than he could count. Despite how tempting it was to stay down, he kept rising. First as a sense of understanding that the longer he stayed down, the more pushups he would do at the end of the session.

Until it became determination. Anything to get better.

By the end of it, his body was barely holding together all bruised, and cut as he trembled with exhaustion.

Still, he dragged himself off the training grounds, step by step, leaving faint traces of blood behind him.

As usual,no one cared. Not even for a kid.

He managed to pull himself to a building and went up the stairs to the second floor and

It opened with woman coming out. Young.

Beautiful. She was 25.

Marian.

The moment she saw him, her expression shifted to shock.

“Hey!.. what happened to you..”

He didn’t hear the rest as his body gave out, collapsing into her arms.

While he recovered,the nightmare came again.

It always did.

Fragments of screams, shadows closing in, and a deep sense of fear all mixed together.

He jerked awake, breath uneven, eyes wide and Marian quickly rushed to his side.

“Hey…hey, it’s okay. I'm here.” She hushed scooping him in her arms.

“It’s just a dream,” she murmured, and unlike before,he didn’t resist, relaxing in her bosom and she smiled.

Her hand moved gently through his hair, slow and patient.

“I know you might be alone here,” she said softly, “but you won’t always be.”

He stayed still, listening.

“You have me. I’ll take care of you,” she continued. “Like a mother would.”

For a moment, something in him hardened at the mention of the word ‘mother’.

Something about it didn’t sit right.

It didn’t feel safe or real like it should and he pulled away, staring at her with emptiness already spreading in his eyes.

But in the middle of it all,a small spark glowed.

“Mom,” he finally said the unfamiliar bitter word and she smiled, warmth spreading across her face.

“That’s my boy.” she gushed and kissed his forehead deeply.

It was meant to make him feel warm. Maybe better but he felt something else.

He felt ‘nothing