Protect (The Guardians Book 1)

by K. B. Wheelock

  “Zera,” the rumbling voice said from the maroon cloak. It was the same voice as the one she had “met” on first awakening in this place. “It seems the companion you came with does not understand our rules and needs some incentive.”

  Gris was dragged into the room, his eye swollen shut, cuts liberally covering his arms and chest. His good eye went wide at seeing Zera and his mouth silently spoke ‘Rose’. At a signal from the cloaked figure in maroon, a foot kicked Gris in the back, and he fell to the floor.

  “You see, he has not learned to not speak. His voice is not there, but even miming the words is not allowed. This is the first lesson he must learn to begin his life. We feel that he needs some inspiration and that you will be the conduit.” He walked towards where Gris lay. He nodded at the guards, and Gris was pulled to his feet. “Your life as you knew it is over. You serve here, do as commanded, and one day, you may be given a place in authority. But for now, you must learn. For every time you disobey, your punishment will be Zera’s. Your reward will be hers. Do you understand?”

  Gris looked to Rose (she would never be Zera to him). Fear filled her eyes, whether it was for herself or himself, he didn’t know. The cloaked figure spun and stalked to Zera “You still do not get it.” He roughly grabbed Rose and pushed her to the table. She caught herself with her hands. He grabbed her hair making her arch her back to avoid the pain of her hair being pulled out. He looked at Gris and said, “Do you understand?” Gris quickly nodded his head. Zera’s hair was released so quickly that her head almost hit the table. She didn’t move.

  The maroon-cloaked figure walked to Gris again. “You will do as you are told. I am giving you to a new master. He will choose your training, in what way you will best serve.” The man in the navy cloak stepped forward. A lisping voice floated quietly from the cape, something about the snakelike voice made Zera’s skin crawl. Gris looked at the figure, challenge in his eyes.

  “Your life is mine, your name mine to choose. Thorin, for your will is like a roll of thunder that will crash against a wall and reverberate back onto yourself. You are your own destruction.” Gris stood tall, staring at the figure, not backing down, defiance showing in every muscle. “This will be the last time you look me straight on. From now on your eyes will be downcast.” Thorin/Gris continued to look on. The figure turned to the maroon figure and bowed, “Your honor.”

  The black-cloaked figure went to Zera and ran a finger down her back. “So, you still wish to defy us,” he said. Simultaneously, two cracks resounded in the room. Zera arched her back in a silent scream as Thorin fell forward, pain etched over his face. He looked at Zera, a silent apology in his eyes as he stood and looked at the figure in front of him.

  The maroon-cloaked figure who had been called “Your honor” spoke. “It appears the name you have given is correct. Please take them to the suite.” He said to the guards, looking at Eulle. “You know what to do.” Eulle grabbed Zera’s arms, and the other two guards dragged Thorin with them.

  The maroon-cloaked figure turned to the other two men. “Lords, you know your duties. If these two cannot be broken then they must be challenged. Our society must be kept intact. Take the time you need but not too long.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Zera and Thorin were taken to a suite, three rooms that led into each other. The room they entered had a table and chairs to one side, a couch and chairs facing a fireplace. Between the couch and table, a door led into a bedroom. The two guards dragged Thorin to a chair in the corner. Next to the chair was a closed door. Eulle pulled Zera to the couch and sat her down. They waited for the Lords to arrive. Zera turned to look at Thorin, but a slap to her cheek had her turning back. Thorin stomped a foot, and a guard punched him as Eulle pulled Zera’s head back, his eyes on Thorin, making sure Thorin saw the grin. Zera stilled, shaking in fear. Thorin looked at Eulle and nodded. Eulle pushed his face into Zera’s hair and sniffed, then pulled away quickly as the door silently opened, and the Lords walked in.

  Roj removed his cloak and walked over to Zera. “Have you been good?” She nodded, and he smiled and ran his hand down her arm. “Yes, you are learning.” He looked at Eulle,“Have they behaved?” Eulle shook his head and pointed at Thorin and mimed stomping his foot. “Lord Cullan, Eulle says that Thorin has not complied.” Cullan removed his cloak. He was the mirror image of Roj, except for the deep scar that went from his temple down thru his lip. A cruel smile tilted half his lips up and his tongue slithered out. “Shall we?” He indicated that the guards should take Thorin to the room behind the closed door. They disappeared into the room.

  Roj pulled Zera up and looked her in the eye. “I truly do not wish my brothers’ form of punishment on you, but I have no choice when the High Lord has spoken. It is up to you to make Thorin comply. I will give you two minutes to speak with him, after that I cannot interfere. Remember, you are given two minutes of speech, after that you are to not make a sound unless given permission.” Zera nodded her head in understanding and followed him into the room. Gris was standing between the two guards. “Cullan, let Zera near him please.”

  Zera walked over to Thorin, the smell of peppermint and maple syrup twisting itself around Thorin’s smell of pine. She searched his eyes and quietly spoke “Do what they ask, don’t defy them. They cannot take who you are inside, and if you continue, I do not want to know what they will do. My Lord feels pleasure and pain are one and the same. He has given me a taste, and I do not wish to know more. I comply, but I do not give in. One day. One day.” She looked in fear around the room, drawing Thorin’s eyes to follow her gaze. The walls were filled with tools of pleasure and pain, one wall had chains on it. Zera shook at the thoughts of what had happened in this room.

  Cullan strode over and grabbed Zera’s arm, pulling her to him. He looked at Thorin and smiled, one hand playing with a curl that had escaped Zera’s hair. “Do you understand?” he asked Thorin. Thorin looked at Zera, then looked Cullan in the eyes.

  Cullan’s eyes hardened, and the hand that had been playing with Zera’s hair grasped her throat. “I see. You still do not understand. But you will.. . . . ” Turning to Roj he said, “You can begin.” Then turned back to Thorin. “My brother here is a master of pleasure but also that of pain. I am a master of fear. It appears you do not fear for yourself. Do you fear for Zera?” His hand suddenly tightened on Zera’s throat, and she reached up to grasp at his hands in fear. Roj came over with a tub of cream. He ran a finger down Thorin’s chest. A sharp intake of breath was the only response though perspiration popped out on his face. He looked at Zera and slowly lowered his eyes. The hand grasping Zera’s throat loosened and became more of a caress “Ah, so you do fear something.” Thorin’s eyes were glued to the hand around Zera’s throat, but he did not move or speak. “Thorin, follow me”. He ushered Zera ahead of him, his hand never leaving her shoulder, and they went back into the sitting room. Roj followed, a smile on his face as he watched the mastery his brother had. Cullen sat down on the couch, pulling Zera into his lap. “Thorin, start a fire please.”

  Thorin looked to the fireplace, but there was no wood, no kindling. He looked back at Cullen, who laughed and pulled Zera’s head back so that he could put his lips to her ear and bite the lobe of her ear, “Thorin, I said to build a fire.” Thorin looked at Cullen and quickly bent to the fire place. As his knees touched the floor, fire sprang to life and burnt his eyebrows. Cullen laughed and pushed Zera roughly off his lap, bruising her knees on the hard floor.

  Cullen and Roj took turns giving Thorin orders. They passed Zera back and forth tormenting Thorin with her, treating her as a tool not a person. Finally, they left an exhausted Zera to lay on the sofa, Thorin to stand in the corner. Paoline silently entered the room with Opaline following. They brought trays of food and jugs of mead. “Opaline, you can leave,” Roj said. He pulled Paoline to him and kissed her deeply. Cullen laughed and pulled Paoline towards him, her back pressed against him. He pushed her head to the side and bit her neck. Paoli
ne stood not responding, a blank look on her face. Cullen, ran his tongue along the bite mark. “See how well Paoline has learned.”

  Roj walked towards the two. “This will not do. Zera come here.” He went and sat

  down at the table as did Cullen. The brothers each pulled a girl to their lap. “Eat,” Roj said, pushing a piece of meat between Zera’s lips. She obediently opened her mouth and took the bite, chewing slowly. Roj raised a cup of mead to her lips, encouraging her to drink. He then took the cup, making sure to put his lips where Zera had and looked at Thorin while he drank. Thorin did not respond, and Roj laughed. “Cullen, it seems the dog has learned his lesson. You should give him a treat as a reward.”

  Cullen looked at Thorin, Thorin’s eyes never went higher than Cullen’s chest. “You’re right. He should be given a reward.” Cullen took a piece of meat and threw it at Thorin’s feet. “Your reward. Savor it.” Thorin ignored the meat at his feet. Cullen narrowed his eyes and grabbed Zera’s hand, bending her wrist back. “If you do not want Zera’s hand broken, you will eat when told!”

  Thorin slowly bent down to pick up the meat.

  “No mutt, you eat it like a dog.” Flushing in anger Thorin went to his knees and picked up the piece of meat with his teeth. Cullen laughed and jerked Paoline’s face to his and kissed her hard. She melted into his embrace, a vacant look on her face. He pulled at her hair, and she whimpered.

  Roj brought his mouth to Zera’s ear. “You see how she obeys. She lets him do as he wishes. This is what you must learn.” Zera nodded her head. “Eat,” he said and placed a full glass of mead in front of her. He watched as she ate and drank. Taking a bite of food here and there. When Zera was finished, he gently pushed her off his lap and stood up. He took her hand and pulled her towards the bedroom. He pushed her to the bed and said “sleep” then walked away, shutting the door behind him.

  Thorin stood in the corner, his eyes slowly shutting, his head bobbing to his chest. A sharp claw down his chest had him jolting. “Dog, who said you could sleep?” Cullen sneered. “Your lessons are not done. You stand at attention until you are given leave to rest. You sleep when we say.”

  Thorin looked up to see Cullin sneering at him. Roj was behind him, sprawled on the sofa. Paoline sat on the floor next to him. “Do you only care for the life of one? Or is it life in general you care for?” Cullen said walking towards Paoline. “You see your punishment can be given to Zera, it can be given to Paoline or another. The punishment for sleeping while working can be severe.” He grasped Paoline’s hair and dragged her head back to look up at him. He looked at Thorin who had his eyes on Paoline. “If you are sleeping when you are working, a thief can come and steal, a soldier can infiltrate and kill, a man can claim what was once yours.” And with a cruel twist of his hands, the life left Paoline’s eyes.

  Tears ran down Thorin’s face as his will finally fractured in his mind. Gris, the man he had been was locked into a cell and Thorin emerged, beaten and cowed. Cullen dropped Paolina to the ground and laughed. He walked back to Thorin “I will steal and take everything; I am your life”. He turned and carelessly stepped over the body of Paolina to sit next to his brother.

  “Really, Cullen. Must you kill them to make a point. I had just finally trained her to the point that she was ready for the auction. Her beauty and obedience would have brought a few draughts.”

  He laughed, “Brother you know that it is the quickest way to break them. He will comply much more easily. Plus, you have a new plaything.” He clapped his hands and one of the guards came to remove the body. The gentle way he lifted the body was a direct contrast to his stone face. A lone tear escaped his downcast eyes. “I would love to help you train her,” he said his eyes never leaving Thorin’s face. “I’m sure you have explained how exquisite pain and pleasure can be.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was many weeks until Zera and Thorin saw each other again. Zera had been fully trained and given a white sheath with black scarf. She never knew what had happen to Paolina, but her duties were now Zera’s. She spent time gathering information, learning the maze of tunnels. Her face and body might be Lord Roj’s, but her mind was her own.

  Zera walked down the tunnel carrying a tray of food to the Lady Aeone. Every morning she followed the same routine. Once Lord Roj opened her door, she went to the kitchen to prepare the tray. A mug of warm cider, a piece of sweet bread, and a slice of cheese. She had to have it to the room before the Lady awoke. Upon entering the room. she placed the tray on the table, then went to the bath to get a bowl of warm water and a towel. She took the bowl and stood at the head of the bed, silently waiting for the Lady to awake.

  Her eyes stared straight ahead until she sensed a movement in the bed, she looked over and started. Thorin stared at her, his eyes soaking her in. His face was scarred, his eyes empty. He was a husk of who he had been. She railed inside at what he had become, but she did not deter from her training. Instead she turned straight waiting for her lady to awake.

  An arm reached out of the bed and Zera placed the towel into her hand. Aeone washed her face with the cloth and sat up, letting the sheet fall to her waist. She laughed a delicate tinkle at the drama unfolding before her. “Oh, how delicious,” She said. “Long lost friends reunited.”

  Thorin tore his gaze from Zera and looked down at the sheet. A white finger trailed over his arm, her eyes on Zera who remained impassive. “Zera, please bring my tray here. I seem unable to leave my bed.” Zera obeyed and carefully placed the tray on Aeone’s lap. Aeone looked at Zera innocently. “I seem preoccupied. Please feed me.” Zera seethed inside but did as she was asked, ripping small pieces and putting them into the lady’s mouth. The lady smiled and leaned into Thorin to rest her head on his shoulder. “Zera isn’t Lord Cullen generous. He has given Thorin to me. And I must say he is a pleasant surprise.” Thorin flushed, but did not speak or look up. Zera finished feeding Aeone and stood quietly waiting for direction. “Please remove the tray and come back here.” Zera obeyed, hiding her emotions.

  Aeone had pushed Thorin back on the bed, and was sitting over him. Making sure that Zera could see what she was doing, Aeone leaned down and kissed Thorin. “Zera, rub my ointment into my back.” Aeone continued her exploration of Thorin while Zera massaged the ointment into Aoene’s back. Aone arched her back into Zera’s hands. Zera pushed harder and Aoene flinched. She spun around and slapped Zera across the face. “Wretch, you do not touch me like that.” Zera looked at her hands and said nothing, the calming scent of peppermint and maple syrup surrounding her.

  Aeone leaned into Zera her mouth touching her ear “Are you jealous that I can have what you never will?” Aoene laughed and turned back to Thorin and kissed him.

  “Thorin, maybe Zera should join us?” She looked at Zera, whose cheeks were flushed. A tinkling laugh filled the room, and she purred “Yes, Zera please do join us.” She pulled Zera into the bed and pushed her towards Thorin. “Let’s play.”

  * * *

  How she wanted to scream. The Reditus Coelus claimed to be heaven reborn, that they had been given this place by the angels, were descended from them. But they lived a life that was far from the angels she had heard of. Hedonists all of them, they reveled in pleasure and pain, using one another to reach higher heights. They had a hierarchy, The High Lord setting the pace and what was allowed. He often could be seen on the sidelines watching. The ten Lords under him followed his example. Beneath them were the workers, those who served and were rewarded well. And then, there were the slaves and guards. The most they could hope for was to be given a place in a house as a personal servant, one to not be passed from Lord to Lord.

  Zera walked to her room. She was not needed anywhere, and until a order was given, she must be in her room. She had determined that she would do everything she could to gain power. She learned to control her emotions, not letting them leak through her impassive expression. She did what she was told quickly, spoke only as she was spoken to. She also made sure t
o have her appearance be the best it could be, to attract the attention of the Lords. She knew soon she would be at the auction and as embarrassing as that would be, she must catch the eye of the High Lord. Her plan depended on it.

  Thankful that she no longer had an escort, she entered her room. It was a banquet night and she knew little sleep would come with it. She went into her bath and undressed, stepping into the water with a sigh. If she took the time now to bathe, she would be that much closer to being ready. She carefully scraped and plucked her body making sure that her skin was perfect. She then lay back and rested in the warm water. Her eyes drifted close.

  A hand ran gently up her leg, another rested on her hip. She lazily opened her eyes. Lord Roj was sitting on the edge of the pool. He leaned in and buried his face in her hair, his mouth finding her ear and gently kissing a trail of kisses to her mouth. He pulled away and stood. “We are honored tonight. You my beauty shall serve the High Lord. He has requested that you join him after the meal.” A thrill ran through Zera. This was it, what she had been working towards.

  “You must be perfection tonight. The High Lord has sent a special outfit for you to wear and has requested his personal slaves to dress you.”

  Zera nodded, and Roj pulled her from the pool. Lightly swatting her, he said “Go to bed and rest. I will wake you when it is time. You must be rested and perfect.” She nodded and obeyed him, going to the bed to lay down. She looked behind her to see Roj following. She had become fond of him over the weeks that had passed. He was not cruel as some Lords were, and he took care to make sure she was protected. Curling onto the bed, she was surprised when Roj lay beside her. He rested his hand on her shoulder and said, “Sleep.” Her eyes drifted shut with the command.