The Gargoyle Huntress

Kiana tried to open her eyes but they felt glued shut. She frowned and tried to wipe her eyes but realized she couldn’t feel her limbs. She groaned. ‘How much did they drink last night?’ Her mouth felt as if she had swallowed cotton and then put some under her tongue for fun. She took a deep breath and tried to open her eyes again, thankfully it was dark but her vision was so foggy she was sure she wouldn’t be able to tell the difference either way. Gathering her strength she blinked her eyes and gave up on her arms which she could feel now but they weren’t responding to her commands anyway. After a few blinks she could vaguely make out a roof, a very high roof she reflected. Where the hell were they? She was usually the responsible one, always remaining lucid so she could take her friends’ home, since she could have just as much fun sober, remember it the next day and not have to deal with a vicious hangover. Yeah she was the friend who always drank one glass of wine and ended up on the ass end of an ugly hangover. Her lucky best friend could drink enough to make Bigfoot lose his balance but she usually only had a headache paired with thirst. Lucky her Kiana reflected grimly. Speaking of which, where the hell was Casey? She was usually the first one up in all her sickening no hangover health, usually cleaning or singing or something equally ridiculous. Grunting Kiana tried lifting her torso off the bed only she couldn’t. Breathing heavily she realized she was tied down. Fully awake now Kiana relaxed her breathing to conserve energy while doing recon. Her hands were tied above her head, that’s why they felt useless, she had long since lost blood supply to them and they were dead. Her ankles were tied to the bed and stretched out, they were not tied together however. This was a really bad sign. Kiana tried to remain calm but panic overwhelmed her and for a few seconds she almost cried her misery. She was a pre-Med student, 6 months away from graduating, maybe not a straight A student but she was a really good student, a good person overall. She’d never tried drugs; she kept her grades up, never got into any real trouble. Gave money to the homeless when she had, she’d never been the party girl. Her Grandparents in overall were very lucky to have her, they always mocked that she was the model daughter. Why is this happening to me, she screamed in silent outrage. Reining her thoughts in, she took a gulp of much needed air. And looked around, she was in a warehouse. No, it just looked like one, but it was an old building. Very dark and dank, so probably low or maybe even underground she reflected. Her eyes were still misty so she could deduce they were drugged, her body responses still slow and lethargic. Kiana turned and raised her head, Casey was on the bed next to hers, a few feet between them. They were the only two in the room, so Kiana tried to reason that this wasn’t trafficking. It was kidnap. But who on earth would kidnap them? Casey’s parents were rich but no millionaires and Kiana’s trust her Grandparents had left to her was running on fumes thanks to Varsity. So neither she nor Casey were worth much of a ransom. Casey was unconscious, but it looked as if she wasn’t tied up. Frowning Kiana strained to get a better look, but her dead arms apparently got their blood flow back and she sank back onto the bed with a grunt of pain as they preceded to come back to life slowly and painfully. Kiana wriggled her wrists and grabbed onto a loose end of the rope tying them together. “Idiots!” she mumbled under her breath as she began slowly untying her wrists. It was frustrating and slow work and by the end of it she was sweating and cursing softly. When they were free she almost exclaimed but clamped her lips shut since she didn’t know how far their captors were and if they would hear her. Giving her wrists a quick rub, she went to work on her ankles. Frowning as she worked Kiana noticed that this was really easy, so either her captors were new to the business of k********g or they wanted her to escape. Both thoughts were equally disturbing. If they were new to k********g it could mean they are trigger happy, and unsure. If they wanted her to escape it meant Kiana was playing right into their hands, but at this moment she didn’t care, she just wanted to check on Casey. As she swung her legs off the bed and got up she promptly went down on her face like a sack of potatoes as her legs crumbled under her weight.   “Great escape!” she muttered. Her legs were wobbly and still slightly dead, as were her arms so they couldn’t support her weight. Her skull was positively reverberating now. After the pain faded slightly she started crawling towards Casey. This too was slow and frustrating and Kiana wondered hysterically if she was going to wake up from her nightmare now and tell Casey all about it while sulking about her own hangover, and Casey’s lack of one. Finally when she reached her, she got up onto her wobbly legs, put her fingers in Casey’s neck and almost collapsed with relief. Struggling to keep upright, she leaned down and whispered “Casey. Casey. Wake up.” Casey grunted and turned on her side mumbling. Just as Kiana wanted to shake her awake she heard voices much closer than she’d like. “Dammit!” she cursed under breath, she couldn’t wake Casey and hide them both in time. Almost screaming in frustration she hobbled back to her own cot and lay down grabbing the rope and wrapping it loosely around her ankles and wrists. “Please don’t let them notice” she prayed. Closing her eyes she concentrated on breathing deeply. It took all her concentration since all she wanted to do was hyperventilate and her heart hadn't stopped trying to break free of her ribs since she'd woken up. Hopefully she could catch them off guard. “I must advise against this, she is but a weak human. What could you hope to gain here Sire?” It was English which surprised Kiana, the voice sounded respectful and old, as well as male. ‘Sire?’ Maybe I’m in a bad vampire movie Kiana deducted, then scolded herself. Her brain deferred to awkward humor when she was nervous and this definitely wasn't the time.  “And I must tell you Ed that I disagree.” Kiana almost jerked on her cot and barely kept her body in control. That voice was rich and husky, and definitely all male. “She’s of fine stock, I assure you. Has she not proved herself worthy already?” ‘Stock?’ What on earth were these men on about?  Were they high on something? Was he talking about her or Casey? Someone else completely?  Oh jeez, they were going to be trafficked, it's the only thing that made sense, Kiana's heart stopped beating for a few beats, and she almost fainted before forcing herself to draw a breath. If that was the case, they needed to get the hell away. She needed to stay calm, okay 2 males she knew of so far, could there be more? Just as Kiana was about to move she heard a third voice.   “Brother, you’re ahead of schedule as always.” It was another male voice, well 3 males. Kiana knew her odds were not great. Even with her martial arts background, 3 males would be tricky, especially since her limbs were still decidedly shaky, and one of the men sounded like a Viking warrior. “I like punctuality. “ His voice caused goose bumps on her arms.  “Of course you do.” It was a dry response from the other male. They moved closer, their footsteps echoing in the big empty space. “She’s stunning isn’t she?”  It was the third male sounding poleaxed and Kiana held her breath as she listened, their voices were close, but over her, so they were presumably standing over Casey. He wasn’t the first and he won’t be the last Kiana vowed dryly. Casey was beautiful. She risked a peep, and opened her eyes to slits to watch a huge man slowly stroke his fingers over Casey’s cheek. Zaria clenched her teeth and told herself to wait. The other male was a replica of the bigger one just younger and less harsh. Yes harsh was the word she was looking for. They stood over Casey and Zaria contemplated her options. She could never leave Casey. She was the hard to Casey’s soft, the edge to her curves and the rough to her delicate. It was why their friendship worked so well. Kiana was the ass-kicking, rough talking plain looking friend, while Casey was tall and willowy with big blue eyes and blonde hair. She was softly spoken and her face drew men like moths to a flame. “She’ll do. “ The big man said and removed his jacket, and rolled the sleeves of his jacket up. Kiana flew up before she cold comprehend what she was doing and jumped over Casey’s cot only to slap away the big ones hands and hiss at him, the young male stepped back as though shocked. The older man she assumed who had warned them against whatever it is they wanted to do, stepped closer to the Viking. Kiana gulped as she realized just how big he was up close. He was easily a whole head, maybe more, taller than her. He was Caucasian and had skin much lighter than her coffee colored skin. His hair was a startling golden blonde, and his eyes were so light blue they looked like television commercials on the Bahamas oceans inviting you to travel there. And those eyes were pissed, and glaring at her. Kiana had a moment of panic, and her breath came in gasps, but then she swallowed and manned up, the damage was already done. Her instincts had taken over before her brain could comprehend, and she didn't know what they planned but she wouldn't allow them to touch Casey.  “Don’t touch her. “ She said softly trying to growl at him. His eyes narrowed, then he smiled but it was as cold as the arctic. “Close?” His voice slid over her and she strengthened her resolve. “What do you want with us? “ Her voice was stronger than she felt. “Us?“ He had the gall to laugh. “Not you dear, just her.” He said nodding his head toward Casey.   “What do you want with her? “ Kiana said through clenched teeth. The man sighed and turned around and walked a few steps away then he turned “It’s a long and complicated story. I’m not sure you’ll understand.” Kiana clenched her teeth and curled her hands into fists, wanting to throttle the life out of him. Fear giving way to anger. “Try me.” He seemed to consider this, then he shrugged, his broad shoulders giving away the muscle under his buttoned up shirt. Kiana gulped, whether from lust, fear or both she wasn’t sure. This man, this warrior appealed to her strongly. But men, she had realized early on in life, preferred willowy figures. Graceful and elegant. Shaking her runaway thoughts away, she glared at him. “Simply put, I need an heir.” He said it as if he was telling her to pick up carrots while she went grocery shopping and Kiana’s jaw dropped open while she processed this. “You’re telling me you can’t get laid on your own ? Like that's possible!” Kiana said sarcastically then snorted. Once it was out she was mortified that she had admitted to finding him attractive but she was having trouble processing everything and still believing she was awake. It was all too surreal. Her emotions were all over the place, fear and anger mixing in a toxic wave, and her brain trying to escape this nightmare. He wheeled around and locked in on her with those sharp eyes, making her feel like prey. Then he smiled, a real smile and ruined it by opening his mouth “I am delighted that you find me attractive. “ Kiana just glared at him before saying “There are literally thousands of women I’m sure knocking down your door. Why not pick one of them? “ He shrugged “They are not of good stock. “ He looked at her like that explained everything but Kiana was starting to feel light headed from confusion and thirst. “You’ve mentioned that already but what does it mean?” Kiana said frustratedly, her voice rising. “We’re not for ransom obviously since your watch probably costs more than our parents earn in a year. “ “Correct again.” He flashed her a smile like she was a child and had just achieved something and he was proud. “She has the type of blood we’ve been searching for. She will bear me an heir.“ Kiana laughed hysterically “No, she will not.” Suddenly feeling like she was in the twilight zone. What kind of men kidn*pped women to breed them? This happened in the stone ages not the 21st century. They were on drugs, she decided, or in a cult. “Look you all look like nice men, but I’m afraid we have to leave now. It’s been a pleasure.” Kiana grimaced and turned to Casey keeping her side to the men, too scared to turn her back on them In case they drug her again. She didn’t know how she got there in the first place. “I’m afraid you can’t do that. We’ve been sear-“ “She’s not a virgin you know. “ Kiana could have bitten her tongue off but called his bluff and raised her brows looking at the blonde man. “What does that have to do with anything? “ He asked quietly. “Well you said you searched for her, and other girls won’t do, so maybe you think she’s a virgin, you know like a sacrifice, but she’s not. You know I love her to bits but she has this habit of getting way too drunk at parties-“ She gasped as one moment the blonde man was a few metres away from her, then suddenly he had his big hand over her mouth. “Don’t speak. Just keep quiet. You’re giving me a headache.” Said the Viking exasperatedly. He grunted in surprise when Kiana bit him. Cradling his hand absently he seemed shocked. She licked her lips, only to taste blood. Good, she thought menacingly. Stupid huge blonde man. He stared at her open mouthed. “I can scratch too. “ She said cattily. Then glaring from one man to another she said slowly “Casey will not be doing any ‘bearing of heirs’ as you to eloquently put it. I will give you more than a headache if you try.” She tried to look scary and confident. One breath he was standing there cradling his hand and the next he had Kiana by the neck, he was lifting her onto her toes with one hand. Gasping and struggling, she clawed at his hands. “I can do whatever I want. And I’m not scared of you little one. So pick your words carefully“.  Kiana’s mind spun with a million different things. He was fast and really strong as well as royally pissed off. s**t ! Trying to recall her training, she gulped a quick breath and lifted both her feet, she quickly planted them on his chest and bicep and using her hands she broke his grip after pushing back against his hold, straightening her body to kick him away while he watched her avidly and let go when she fell to the ground away from him. The fall made her land on her ankles awkwardly and one twisted mercilessly under her, she only gasped but kept her half crouching position. But the adrenaline that had sprung her up was fading quickly, the drugs they had used were still in her system, her arms and legs were shaking with fatigue and suddenly felt like noodles until the collapsed out under her and she fell onto her ass ungracefully. Her head spinning, her limbs quivering and her mouth as dry as dust. Kiana felt the hopelessness crawl into her slowly, like a poison. “Please. “ She croaked out. “Please what? Please speak up.” The blonde giant looked down at her coldly. “Please leave her out of this. “ She said, her eyes sweeping towards Casey who was mumbling and restless. “And who do you suggest I put in her place? “ He said it calmly as if they were discussing the weather. “Take me, take me, I’ll do anything. Just leave her alone. “ Kiana all but screamed at him. Breathing heavily she glared at him.  “You?“ He gave a short laugh that had her clenching her teeth in embarrassment. “Hmm. Maybe I will.” He shrugged. “Fine, you will take her place. “ Nodding and turning away he said absently “Doran, you can take her. “ The younger man stepped forward and picked Casey up, albeit gently. “No, you said you’d let her go! You said she could go, I’m taking her place!” Kiana screamed at him. “No, I said you’d take her place, not that I’d let her go.” The blonde man said carefully. Fury and fear nipped at her heels fueling her as she gathered her strength and got up to run at ‘Doran’ carrying Casey and used her momentum to sock him in the jaw, his head shot back but before she could do anything else his bigger brother grabbed her, wrapping his huge arms around her body and trapping her arms next to her sides. Kiana struggled for a moment before she took a breath and threw her head back, she felt the nasal bones crunch under her skull and felt the big man holding her grunt before his arms tightened. Struggling she tried to kick him in the shin with her heel and struggled wildly trying to get free while Casey disappeared with Doran carrying her bridal style. “No! You lied! Please, please! Don’t hurt her, I’ll do anything. No! Casey!” The arms around her never slackened and Kiana felt frustrated tears pick at her eyes. After a few more minutes of struggling she felt the residual drug affects. Her limbs turned heavy and her lids dropped. She sank towards the floor, but never reached it. The arms around her tightened a little and swept her up. She lifted her heavy arms and pounded on the broad chest carrying her, but she knew she wasn’t doing any damage. If a broken nose hadn’t weakened him, she didn’t know what would. Her eyes dropped closed and refused to open again. She felt herself being carried then laid down. In the cot she presumed. “I told you it was a bad idea Declan.” It was Ed’s voice Kiana reflected sleepily, the older gentleman. “I had to know. And now we do. You know it was necessary.” Kiana snuggled into the covers and decided she would sort everything out tomorrow. She would hatch an escape plan and get Casey out of here. She sighed, her last thought was that Declan was an old fashioned name.