Hell in his arms

Back to school

I must’ve passed out from everything last night because I woke up feeling like I’d barely moved.

As usual, the butler Victor walked in his face tight with that same tired politeness, two maids behind him with clothes in their arms.

“Good morning victor.” I greeted.

“Good morning ma'am.” He said smiling at me, the maids bowed, but didn’t say anything.

They dressed me like they always did, brushed my hair, fixed my face.

Once they were done, I headed to the dining room.

Unlike the other days, Cassian was already there, I stopped for a second when I saw him.

God.

That face should be illegal, the sharp jaw, messy dark hair, that cold, unreadable stare that still somehow made my stomach flip.

I wanted to hate him, I honestly did, but hating someone didn’t erase the way they made you feel when they looked at you like that.

He looked up at me, then motioned for me to come sit beside him. I swallowed and walked over.

The maids dished food on our plates and stepped, waiting for us to finish.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured suddenly, close to my ear.

Cough cough!

I coughed hard, choking on a bite of toast, I looked at him, had he lost his mind?.

But Cassian just smiled, there was something off about it, just like last night, it didn't reach his eyes.

I quickly looked away and focused on cutting into my eggs.

Then his hand on my lap, sliding slowly upward. I froze.

My fork clattered against the plate as my breath caught. His fingers moved between my thighs.

I turned my head toward him, looking at him with my eyes wide in shock.

I felt really embarrassed, my cheek had turned red I was sure.

“You’re to resume school today,” he said, casually, like his hand wasn’t under the table, lighting my whole body on fire.

I opened my mouth to speak, but his fingers moved just slightly and I bit my lip hard, trying not to make a sound. I was burning up from the inside out.

Focus, Anya. Focus.

I grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand away, heart hammering in my chest.

He smirked, leaning in again.

“All of you will be mine soon, little one.”

My skin prickled, whether it was fear or something else, I didn’t know.

“The guards and a driver will escort you to and from school,” he said like we were just having a normal conversation.

“Why? I don't need guards.” I managed to say, my voice scratchy. “That’s gonna be… really awkward. People will stare.”

“It’s that, or nothing,” he said with that same maddening smirk.

I wanted to argue, but I didn’t, a least I’d be leaving this castle.

Without another word, I pushed my chair back and stood, not bothering to finish breakfast. I could feel his eyes on me the whole way out.

Outside, the guards were already waiting beside a white SUV. One of them opened the door for me, I stared at them, wondering if this wasn't the same people that dragged me from my home.

I didn't say a word, I just entered.

When we got close to school, we drove to the car pack, and thank God no one was there.

I alighted and made my way to class, school felt surreal.

The noise, the movement, the normalcy of it all, it clashed hard against the silence and cold walls of the castle I’d just come from.

I didn’t even realize how much I missed the chaos and bad cafeteria smells until I stepped through the gates again.

Tessa spotted me first, her squeal nearly burst my eardrum.

“Anya?!”

Before I could blink, she was sprinting toward me. Eli followed right after his jaw was slack like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

They both wrapped me in a tight hug, Tessa nearly knocking the air out of me.

“Where the hell have you been?” she said, pulling back to stare at me. “We’ve been going crazy! I went to your house. Eli did too. Your parents said you traveled and lost your phone, but that didn’t even make sense.”

“Yeah,” Eli added, brows drawn tight. “They looked… off. Not just worried, unhappy. Your dad looked like he aged ten years in a week. What happened?”

I blinked at them, my heart tightening.

What was I supposed to say? I was taken by a dangerous man to pay off a debt, and now I live in a castle under constant watch, and that man touches me like I’m already his.

“I just… needed time away,” I said quietly. “There was some family stuff. I didn’t mean to scare you guys.”

Tessa didn’t look convinced. “Anya. You disappeared.”

“I know,” I said, lowering my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Eli didn’t say anything. He just kept staring at me, like he was trying to figure out what I wasn’t saying. He was always like that. Quiet, but attentive, he never missed any detail.

They walked me to class anyway. They didn’t press further, but I knew they didn't buy my story.

I could feel their eyes on me, full of questions I couldn’t answer. And all I could think about was that hand on my thigh at breakfast. That whisper in my ear.

All of you will be mine soon, little one.

And the worst part?

My body didn’t hate the sound of it.

After class, Tessa, who had been looking back at the guards that followed us at a distance. Finally, she nodded toward the two guards stationed near the school entrance.

“Anya... who are those guys? They've been following us since you arrived. Do you know them” she asked quietly.

I froze for a moment. Her curious gaze made my heart sink.

I didn’t answer right away, but the look on my face must have said enough because Eli and Tessa exchanged a glance.

Then Eli said firmly, “Anya, whatever it is, you can tell us, something is wrong?”

Tessa nodded. “We’re your friends. You don’t have to carry this alone, you know right?.”

I took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in my throat, and began to tell them everything.

From the night Cassian’s men showed up at my door to the castle, to the days of being watched, of being treated like a prisoner.

But I didn't mention the part that Cassian or the way my body reacted to the touch.

Their faces went pale, Tessa’s hands trembled slightly and Eli’s clenched his jaw.

“Why don’t you run?” Tessa asked, Lowe her voice.

I shook my head, eyes down. “If I do, he said he’d kill my parents.”

They fell silent after that. I saw the fear in their eyes, the same fear I felt every day.

“Anya,” Eli said softly, “we’ll figure something out. You’re not alone in this.”

For the first time since the night I left, I felt free, the burden weighed lighter and I could finally breathe.

My life slowly became normal again, I didn't see Cassian after that morning we had breakfast. I thought I was finally getting a grip on things.

Sure, I still had guards tailing me everywhere but at least I was out of the house.

I was back in school, seeing the familiar faces of my best friends.

But I was stupid to think I was safe.

After classes today, Eli, Tessa, and I stayed back to finish the group project Professor Gardner had given us.

Something about global economics, but I could barely focus. I just wanted it done so I could go home and disappear into my bed.

About halfway through, I felt the pressure in my bladder get unbearable. I stood up and grabbed my phone.

“I need to pee,” I told them.

Tessa glanced up. “You want me to come with you?”

“Nah. I’ll be quick.”

I started walking, and just like always, the guards trailed behind me like shadows. I turned, annoyed.

“Are you seriously going to follow me to the restroom?”

They didn’t say anything. Just stood there, staring back at me blankly.

I sighed, pointing. “It’s literally right around the corner, I’ll be fine.” I told them.

After a few seconds, they finally stopped and waited by the entrance to the car park.

I kept walking, the restroom was just past a few parked cars, maybe ten feet away.

I wasn’t scared. It was daylight, the campus was full, and I could see people on the other side of the lot.

Then the next second, I heard the tires screech.

A black van stopped in front of me, like it had been waiting.

It all happened so fast, before I could even turn around, the side door slid open and two men jumped out.

I screamed, but one of them grabbed me, locking my arms to my sides, the other shoved a cloth bag over my head

I kicked and bit down on the guy’s arm. I was so close to yelling again, but something sharp stabbed into my neck.

It was a needle, It burned.

My body went numb instantly, my knees gave out, my heart pounded hard against my chest.

My vision blurred inside the darkness of the bag and my body stopped answering me.

Then everything went quiet.