The Rogue and His Hunter Mate

Chapter 5- Punishment

Khanna POV

Oh s**t, I thought to myself as I sat looking at Bradley. The two guards who brought me here had taken a stance at the door, most likely to make sure that I did not go anywhere.

“Do you know why you are here, Khanna?” Bradley asked me. A part of me wanted to cave and admit everything, but if I assumed wrong, then I could end up in more trouble than I was in now. I decided to do the opposite and feign ignorance.

“No, I had gone for a brisk walk and came back to be escorted here. What is going on?” I asked, trying to put as much confusion and innocence in my voice as possible.

“So that’s how you want to play it? Watch this and tell me what you see.” Bradley then turned his monitor around and pressed a button on his keyboard, which started to play a video.

On the video, I saw myself from fifteen minutes ago sneaking out of the room. I swallowed, and lost my voice. I had no idea how the hell I was going to get out of this mess. I wished I was smart or a fast runner; then I could fix this, but I am just going to have to take this on the chin.

“Ah, that…” I said.

“Yes, that,” Bradley replied.

“Well, you see, I couldn’t handle not knowing if he was okay due to his head injury and how dangerous they can be. So I thought that I would check on him and make sure he is okay,” I replied honestly.

“Three nights in a row?”

“Yes.”

“What did you talk about?”

“Talk? Nothing. He is out cold whenever I am in that room. He has not seen me; he does not even know I am there.”

“I don’t believe you. Tell me the truth, Khanna.”

“I am! He is asleep or out cold. I am not sure which, that is why I went again tonight, as I am worried. He has been here three nights and two days, and not once have I seen him awake. That head injury could be an issue,” I said, concern in my voice.

“Why are you concerned for a creature? A freak? A werewolf?”

“He is what?” I asked, shocked but also happy that I had learnt something about the man.

“He has most likely already healed. And even if he hasn’t, why would you want to heal him? He is an enemy.”

“I thought that because you brought him back, he was important and you wanted him alive. I am sorry.”

“You are an i***t. Didn’t it occur to you that it might be a trap? That he may have been lying in wait for you?” Bradley asked.

Something about Bradley’s reaction to this was not sitting well with me. I know I may not be the smartest person in the world, but his reaction was as if I was going to elope with the man. I got the feeling that there was something else going on here and Bradley either did not want me around or it pertained to something about me and he did not want that.

Before I could even reply or try to defend myself again, Bradley gave me a sharp look which silenced any words that I was about to speak. Bradley looked down at his hands, clearly deep in thought for a few minutes, before he nodded his head as if coming to a decision. He then lifted his head and looked right at me, before making eye contact with the guards behind me.

“I will deal with him. As for you, Khanna, three weeks in the dungeon and then slave service for six months,” Bradley said.

“WHAT?! But why?” I shrieked. Being sent to the dungeon is bad enough, but to be made into a slave for six months? That’s just pure evil. And I thought we were supposed to be civilized. I knew that we spent time researching and studying the supernatural realm and that s*****y is very much rife in there, even if they don’t want to admit it, but for us to implement it even as a punishment is a bit too far, I think.

“Because I said so. You disobeyed me, and if I take pity on you, then others will talk. What you have done is technically treason—you helped an enemy.”

“But I didn’t know!”

“Whether you knew or not does not make a difference. This punishment is for two reasons: one, it will teach you not to do it again, and two, it should help reform you.”

“Reform me? It will allow everyone to abuse me!” I screeched.

“Well, you should have thought about that before you helped that man!” Bradley raised his voice at me.

I went to retort, but before I did, Bradley slapped me across the face, drawing blood.

“Guards, take her down to the dungeons and to the cell I have prepared for her. I will visit daily,” Bradley said to them and me.

Before I could ask what the daily visits would entail, the guards lifted me up from the chair and marched me down to the dungeons and into the cell at the far end. This cell is the worst; it is dark, smelly, and always cold. I could see that there was a blanket and a duvet on the bed.

One guard stood outside the cell while the other pushed me onto the bed.

“You are lucky,” the guard said while he attached an ankle cuff to my right leg that was attached to the wall. I rolled my eyes. Like I could go anywhere other than in this cell.

“How so?” I asked, defeated.

“Anyone else and they would have been killed. I think the slave thing is a bit too harsh, but better that than dead, Khanna,” the guard replied, giving me a small, tight-lipped smile before standing up and leaving my cell.

Four Months Later

So I have done three weeks in the dungeons. Bradley’s visits were not nice and cozy; actually, they were the opposite. I dreaded them. I still refuse to speak to him or even be in the same room unless I have to because of my duties.

To make things worse, my body feels like it wants to give out as I work as a slave during the day. Then Peter helps me to train during the evening. If it was not for Peter, then during those three weeks, I am sure that I would have died. He would sneak me in food and drink of an evening and would even tend to my more serious wounds.

I think Bradley knew, but he never did anything about it. Then, when I was released, Peter would protect me from the other hunters, even helping me with my duties during the day when he had time.

Peter transferred to our division about six months ago, so I had never gotten to talk to him before I was incarcerated, but he was put on as my night guard. He was also the one who spoke to me on my first night.

A benefit of the punishment Bradley has given me is that I have gotten stronger, both physically and mentally. Don’t get me wrong, my body still wants to give up, but it can now endure more than it ever has before. That is mainly because it has no other choice.

The other hunters have enjoyed having me as their slave. That is mainly because anything they ask or demand of me, I cannot deny. Some have even enjoyed inflicting physical pain. At first, it hurt and I would cry, which is what they wanted.

But recently, I have remained silent. I just let them do their beatings and then I get up and brush myself down before carrying on with my duties. At first, it was an act of defiance, but then I stopped feeling the pain and injuries they were causing. A part of me was worried because it was not a good sign, but I am way too happy to not be able to feel anything to actually seek medical help at the moment. I have two more months of this before my punishment is over and Bradley then decides my fate—whether I remain a hunter or I end up homeless.