Slain

I’m feeling the pressure

I can’t break out

No one can hear me scream and shout

Get out of my face, out of my mind

I see your corruption

I’m not blind

I’ll carry the burden and take the strain

And when I am done I will make you pay

-Pressure, Muse

After the fights last night, Demon ordered I be fed and sent to bed, saying I’ll need my strength. What he really meant was throw me back into the room he locked me in for three days and toss some indistinguishable meat, bread and water in with me.

At least I didn’t have to sleep another night tied to that wretched chair. No, just the freezing stone floor without so much as a blanket.

“Get up,” a gruff voice demands. I can only make out the outline of a hulking figure standing against the light from the hallway.

I do as I’m told, stretching my sore limbs as I go. “What does that nutjob want me to do today?” I ask sarcastically, hiding the fear that chills me to my core.

“Hurry up,” the wolf snarls in response, latching onto my arm as soon as I’m within reach.

“Hey, watch it,” I whine as he pulls me from the room and down the hall. He half drags me all the way to the foyer before stopping abruptly and spinning me around, pushing my back into the wall.

“Don’t move,” he grunts, stepping away from me. I half expected him to leave me there to wait, but he stands beside me motionlessly, staring at nothing.

I glance up at him, a bit unnerved by how still he is. “So...” I drawl, wanting to fill the silence. “Am I going to be bludgeoned by any more sledgehammers today?”

The wolf shoots me a glare that tells me to keep quiet. “What?” I ask, shrugging innocently. “I just thought that was something I should be aware of.”

“Shut up,” he mutters, going back to staring ahead motionlessly.

“Okay then,” I grumble, leaning back against the wall and propping up my leg. My mind wanders as I wait.

How far will Demon go to get me to kill for him? It won’t be long before he decides I’m not worth the trouble and kills me. I need to be gone by then. But how? The room he locks me in only has one exit and he always has one of his dirty little mutts standing outside. After Hayes and I’s little stunt escaping from the dungeons, he’s going to be extra careful from now on.

The thought of Hayes sends a pang of guilt coursing through my veins. Did he suffer long? I can’t bear the thought that he suffered because of me, because of my idiocy. I shouldn’t have been stupid enough to try to escape when I was so badly injured. If I had just waited, we would have actually made it out and Hayes would still be alive.

Would Fluffy blame me?

That thought startles me. Partially because I’m unsure why I care what he thinks, and partially because I’m worried he might.

Am I as awful as Demon? I did kill seven of his wolves in the arena and didn’t hesitate on a single one of them. Does that make me like him?

“Ah, you’re already here,” Demons deceptionally smooth voice startles me out of my darkening thoughts.

I meet his cold gaze, shoving down the sudden urge to bolt. “I’ve been here for awhile now. Where have you been?” My tone is accusatory, earning a raised eyebrow from Demon. One of his wolves hovers behind him, waiting for him to give the signal to attack.

“I’ve been dealing with things. Now come. It’s your turn to deal with things,” he says. The wolf who’s been waiting with me hurries to push open one of the solid wood doors beside me. Demon strolls out leaving me to follow reluctantly.

Maybe an opportunity to escape will present itself today. Though part of me wants to believe that, as confused as he is, Fluffy will come to save me. I know that’s a ridiculous hope and I refuse to entertain the idea.

Demon weaves his way through the rundown homes of his pack, eventually coming to a stop before one that appears the same as all the others, save for the poorly made rag doll laying on the ground in front of the door. He looks to me pointedly. “Remember what we discussed yesterday.”

I narrow my eyes, glaring at him as he turns and strides to the front door. He knocks, calling out to whoever is inside. Moments later a thin woman opens the door, her mousy brown hair pulled back into a messy bun at the nape of her neck. Her amber eyes sweep over our entourage in bewilderment.

“Yes?” She asks, crossing her arms over her chest in an attempt to find comfort.

“Leah,” Demon says, his voice hard. “It has come to my attention that you have been stealing food from me.”

My eyes widen in understanding. He’s going to want me to carry out his punishment.

“I- I don’t-”

“Your theft is an act of treason. You know the rules; everyone gets their share of the rations, no more.”

The woman’s eyes go round in fear as she holds her hands out in a placating gesture. “I can explain.”

“I’m sure you can,” Demon sighs. “But there’s not an excuse that will take away what you’ve done. You must be punished.”

“Please,” the woman chokes out. “It was for my daughter.”

“Restrain her,” Demon says, flicking his hand half-heartedly. The wolf standing to my side steps around us and grabs the woman’s arms roughly, pulling them behind her back. Demon turns his black eyes on me. “You’re up little slayer.”

The woman turns her large eyes on me, fear rolling off of her in waves. I tear my eyes from hers to glare at Demon. “What do you want me to do about it?”

Demon smirks as if he was waiting for that question. “You have two options.”

“Oh good, I finally get options,” I mutter sarcastically. He ignores me.

“You can either kill her, quick and easy right here, right now. Or you can both be sent to the arena.” The smile on his face twists deeper, knowing he has me in a corner.

The woman wails, falling to her knees.

“You’re sick, you know that?” I sneer.

“Choose,” he whispers, watching me smugly.

I straighten my shoulders, lifting my head as I make up my mind. “I won’t kill for you.”

The woman wails again at my words, sending a shudder down my spine. Is this the right choice? I mean, she’s dead either way, right? At least in the arena, she’ll get a chance to defend herself.

Demons smile slips off his face. Apparently, that’s not what he was expecting me to decide.

“Arena it is,” he hisses. He spins on his heel and storms off back the way we came. “Harvest and then ready her for the arena,” he calls over his shoulder.

Harvest?

“But my daughter,” the woman cries, pleading with the wolf to release her.

“Get to your feet,” the wolf growls, tugging against her arms.

The other wolf who had been following Demon thus far grabs on to my wrist, pulling out my arm. I jerk out of his hold, a sick feeling sinking in my gut. Harvest my blood.

I only get a breath away from him before his hands are digging into my shoulders and I’m stumbling backward. My back slams into the side of the house, pain radiating down my spine.

“Let go of me,” I shout, clawing and kicking at the wolf. He leans in closer to me, pressing his whole body against mine to restrict my movements.

“Come help me,” he calls to the other wolf. I thrash beneath him, but it does me no good. My hands wrap around his throat as I scramble for any way to escape. More hands appear, prying my fingers apart and forcing my arms down.

I scream louder, shouting any threats I can think of as they tuck my right arm between me and the wolf, straightening out the other. The second wolf glances at me, a smirk on his face as I watch his fingernails grow into claws.

He places a single claw against the side of my forearm and drags it down slowly, making a small cut. The cut is jagged, more of a tear than a cut, and tries to heal itself instantly. To stop my quick healing, the wolf takes his fingers and holds open the wound, allowing the blood to flow freely from my arm.

Holding a deep bowl below my bleeding arm, he waits. I continue to struggle, screaming and kicking, but I don’t have enough leverage to break free. I’m completely powerless.

Once the bowl is filled to the brim, he drops my arm and turns away. The wolf pressing me against the house lets up the pressure and I take the opportunity to knee him in the groin. He doubles over from the sudden pain and I wriggle free from his hold. I take off at a sprint, no plan in mind. All I can think is to get away.

Fingers wrap around my tangled hair, nearly jerking me to the ground. My back slams into a body and arms instantly wrap around me. They wrestle my arms behind my back as I thrash against their hold. I’m suddenly shoved face down into the dirt. The air rushes from my lungs leaving me floundering as I try to refill them.

By the time I’ve caught my breath, my hands and feet are bound securely. The wolf gets off of my back, grumbling under his breath and kicking dirt in my face. I spit at his feet, frustrated, angry and scared.

“I can’t wait to be rid of you,” the wolf sneers as he pulls me up, tossing me over his shoulder.

I hang limply, defeat settling in my chest. No one’s coming for me and it’s obvious I’m not getting out on my own. My only options are to either do what they want or let them kill me.

People watch us curiously as the wolf carries me through the pack. This is the first time I’ve seen any of the other wolves outside of the arena. Why didn’t any of them help me?

Maybe they’re afraid of Demon. Or maybe they’re just as sick and twisted as he is.

I bite down on my lip to keep it from quivering. My throat tightens and my vision blurs with tears. I don’t even know where I went wrong. What did I do to deserve this?

The wolf steps into the arena, causing a shudder to run down my spine as we’re cast into shadow. Seconds later we come to a single cell. Iron rods make up the front with a small door in the center. The wolf unlocks the cell before tossing me flat on my back in the sand.

Pain shoots through my back as my chest seems to flatten in on itself. It takes me several seconds to catch my breath and by then the wolf is already gone. I roll onto my hands and knees and crawl to the wall. The rough stone catches and tugs at my hair as I lean against it and a layer of sand coats my skin, making me feel grimy.

Pulling my knees into my chest, I lay my head against them and finally allow the tears to fall. Once one breaks free, the rest come tumbling after like a tidal wave. Sobs rack my body as my chest constricts, the reality that I’m never going to be free of this psychotic wolf finally sinking in.

I was so stupid. Part of me hoped--and still hopes--that Fluffy would come to my rescue. Or even the slayers. But I know those are both fantsies. Fluffy knew me all of three days and my village couldn’t wait to be rid of me.

Maybe this is for the best. I didn’t have anywhere to go. I was going to wander aimlessly for the rest of my life; now I don’t have to.

But Zane.

I have to get him out of Fluffy's pack. What kind of friend would I be if I got him into this mess and then left him to deal with it on his own?

My tears slow with my newly strengthened resolve.

I have to make it out of here so I can get Zane out.

Muffled chatter echoes through the stone corridors making my stomach roll with nerves. It’s almost time.

My first time in the arena I didn’t have time to worry about it. I was thrust in there without any clue what was going on, but now I’m all too aware of what’s awaiting me on the other side of that wooden gate and I’m not ready.

Sitting through an hour of vicious snarls and bloodthirsty cheers, I thought I might lose my mind. The constant worry that my gate was going to slide open at any minute plagued my every breath, but it never did.

“Alright little slayer.” I start at the voice, whipping my head around to warily watch the wolf unlock my cell. “It’s showtime.”

He steps in and the other wolf closes the cell door behind him. I get to my feet and let out a slow breath. I can do this.

He ushers me toward the gate to wait. Once we’re there, he pulls out an iron dagger and holds it out to me. “Since you can’t phase,” he says snidely.

I snatch the blade from his hand with a glare. From behind the gate I hear the crowd roar and another gate open near by.

I close my eyes to steady my nerves. I have to get out of this alive. For Zane.

I smile as I open my eyes, thinking of how furious Demon will be when I refuse to kill anyone in the arena. He thinks he has me in a corner, but he under estimates me.

The announcer’s voice booms through the stadium, signalling the end of the fight. The wolf shifts beside me, glancing down at me with a smirk. I ignore him and grip my dagger tighter. This will only be a to injure, not to kill.

My gate slides open. The sound of the crowd nearly sends me stumbling backward from its deafening volume. Shaking off my last bit of nerves, I walk out into the arena with my head held high. I’ll be damned if Demon thinks he’s gotten the best of me, even for a second.

The gate directly across from me slides open and the woman I was supposed to kill earlier stumbles out. Her hands are bound behind her back, making me look up at Demon in confusion. Why is she bound? No one was bound last time.

Demon raises his eyebrows at me and tips his head in her direction with a smile. Two more gates open and two already phased wolves creep out, their beady eyes darting between the woman and I. As if a signal was given, both wolves take off toward the woman.

Dammit.

I race across the arena, sand weighing my feet down as I run. The woman backs herself against the wall, wailing in terror as the wolves close in. I’m feet away when one lunges. The woman ducks. The wolf misses her throat, but ends up on her back.

I lunge for the other wolf just as he leaps into the air. Slicing my blade through the air, I catch the back of the wolfs leg. He yelps and lands unsteadily in the sand, spinning to face me. He holds his back right paw a few inches off the ground.

Using his injury to my advantage I dive forward aiming for his front right paw. He snaps at me, catching the side of my bicep in his teeth, but I still hit my mark. He releases me as I feel the blade slice through his muscle, severing the tendon on the back of his leg. That’ll take awhile to heal.

Scrambling to my feet, I look for the woman and other wolf. I find them easily and am pleasantly surprised. The woman has actually held up rather well considering.

She kicks at the wolf as he snarls and snaps his teeth at her.

“Hey wolfie!” I shout, grabbing the wolfs attention. He snarls unappreciatively as he turns to face me. The woman inches backward, trying not to draw attention to herself. “Come on then.” I wave him toward me mockingly. He narrows his yellow eyes at me, hesitating.

The sound of another gate opening distracts me. The wolf lunges, teeth bared. I duck to the side, spinning to keep him in view. I thrust my dagger at his ribs but he skitters away from me, his eyes twinkling.

Feet pound the sand behind me. I spin around in time to be tackled to the ground, slobber spraying my face as teeth chomp down on my left arm that’s blocking my face. I throw my elbow into the wolfs snout, gritting my teeth against the pain.

The wolf yelps and releases my arm as my elbow smashes into his temple, giving me enough time to roll out from under him. He lunges for me again as I get to my knees, but I’m ready this time. I drop my dagger and open my arms. Leaning to the side just as his teeth graze my throat I wrap my arms around his neck, using his momentum to flip me on his back.

I pull my arm tight around his neck as he thrashes below me. He throws himself to the ground and rolls, trying to shake me, but I hold tight.

His movements become sluggish and weak as another gate slides open.

I curse as I untangle myself from the unconscious wolf and grab my dagger. I scan the arena for the woman, spotting her crouched next to the wall not too far from me. I sprint for her as two more wolves charge me. She cowers, her eyes wide with a ferral gleam.

“Turn around,” I demand as I come to a stop before her. She blinks up at me uncomprehendingly. I groan and grab her shoulder, shoving her around roughly. She struggles, but I’m still able to cut the ropes binding her. Now maybe she can phase and be a little bit of help.

A snarl alerts me to the wolf about to pounce.

I dive to the side and the wolf crashes into the arena wall. Rolling to my back, I kick the wolf in the head, knocking him to the side. He whimpers as he scrambles to get up. He lunges for me again but I kick my feet up under his belly, sending him sailing over my head.

I jump to my feet and rush to the wolf that now lays in a heap on the sand. He sits up, shakig his head to try to regain his focus, but I’m on him too quick. I wrap my arm around his neck and wait for him to pass out like the other.

When he’s unconcious, I turn to the sound of snapping teeth. The woman has phased and is circling with the other wolf. They take turns snapping teeth at one another in warning, but make no other move to attack.

I twist the dagger in my hand, watching them curiously. Why hasn’t the male attacked her already? He could easily take her down.

Now that I think about it, why haven’t any of the wolves really attacked her? She should be dead by now, or at least seriously injured, but other than a few scrapes, she’s fine.

I shake off the confusion, deciding now isn’t the time.

I creep across the sand, trying to get behind the wolf without him noticing, but he turns at my movement. I crouch, waiting for him to lunge for me. He stays where he is, eyeing me carefully. Is he scared?

Tired of waiting and overly confident, I lunge for him, slicing my dagger at his feet. In my confidence, I didn’t protect my neck. He takes the opportunity and snaps at my throat. I realize a second too late and jerk away. The wolfs teeth sink into the side of my throat and tear through the flesh. Blood spurts from my neck. I press my hand to the wound as I scramble backward, putting distance between the wolf and I.

The wolf stalks me, his head low and teeth bared.

With a shaking hand, I grip the dagger, waiting for the wolf to attack. He lunges. I slice my dagger, catching his shoulder. He stumbles. I kick him in the chest, knocking him backward so I can advance.

My head swims as I get to my feet, blood still running down my arm despite the pressure.

The wolf snarls at me as he steadies himself. He darts toward me and it’s all I can do to dodge him, swiping at his face with my blade. He slides through the sand, spinning to face me once again. I rush him, wanting to be finished with this.

A gray mass of fur sails through the air in front of me and takes the wolf down. The wolf holds the other wolf by the throat and shakes her head viciously. Before long, the other wolfs body goes limp and she drops him, letting out a howl.

I sigh in relief, suddenly feeling light headed. I turn to Demon’s special seating area and sneer. “Come down here and deal with me yourself next time.” I spit in the sand as the crowds boo’s reverberate through the arena.