Dark Illusions: The Beginning

by Ariana Browning

  The fear came true when she peeled them open and noticed a giant towered above her.

  It took a moment to focus on him. When she did, her heart skipped a beat. The man who’d been in Julian’s conference room, the dark blonde haired man. His cold hazel eyes looked down upon her.

  As she’d considered earlier, he was attractive in an interesting way. Not something she was too keen on right then, since it was plain as day that he was behind the kidnapping. It wouldn’t have been him in her condo, but men working for him. What did Julian call him?

  Vincent.

  His name was Vincent.

  “Where am I? Why am I here?” Her hoarse voice demanded, trying to sit up, but again, the pain cut through her head and she lay back.

  “Would you like some water?” Vincent’s deep voice questioned when he walked over to the chair and sat down. He held up a cup of water she hadn’t noticed him carrying.

  “Why? Is it drugged?” Kat narrowed her eyes.

  “I asked if you’d like some water.” Vincent’s voice threatened to keep it from her if she continued to give him attitude.

  “Fine.” Kat kept a careful eye on him while he walked over and handed her the water, which she took with her free hand, forcing her body up to a sitting position on the bed. He sat back down when she sipped at it.

  “You gonna answer my questions?”

  “Explain to me why I should? I am not here to answer your questions and be your best friend.”

  “Then why the fuck are you?” Kat flinched again.

  Vincent smiled at her, but said nothing.

  Kat’s face turned red. “You’re not going to answer any of my questions? Bastard.”

  “I’d be careful if I were you.”

  Kat mocked, “I’d be careful if I were you. What are you gonna do that is worse than what you have done? If you wanted to hurt me, you would’ve. You don’t want to physically hurt me, that’s clear.”

  Vincent’s gaze turned dark and sinister. “Don’t be so sure. You’d heal. Some day.” His thick laugh made her sick. The laugh of a psychopath. Now she knew what he was about.

  Anger flared in Kat’s cheeks and body. She threw her cup of water at him before thinking about what she did. “Asshole!”

  Vincent ducked his head and the water flew past him, but not fast enough. Some water hit him on the shoulder and left a small wet spot.

  He moved so fast to strike her, Kat didn’t realize what he did at first. Pain slashed through her face. Her cheekbone burned where the mark started to form. The burn on her cheek suggested he’d cut her as well. The pain was enormous and drowned out any come-back she had. She raised her head to glare at him.

  Vincent sat back down like nothing had happened. He watched her a moment, waiting to see if she’d say a word. Waiting, she was sure, for her to bitch him out for what he did. She said nothing.

  “So now you get it. Finally. Hated to do it, but I will not allow you to disrespect me. You will learn to obey me. I own you.”

  “Never.”

  Vincent smiled and waved his arm around. “Look at where you are, my princess—” her stomach churned at the connotation, “—does it really look like you can get out of here? Do you think anyone knows where you are?”

  “I know a couple of people who might. Julian for one, Kober another. Shall I go on?”

  Vincent laughed like she was the dumbest chick on the block. “You are serious? Do you really think Julian Lucius, a Runsasi, cares where you—a human—are? He doesn’t. And that sewer rat, Vakava? Please. They can’t do shit. They don’t want to waste their time. Is it not you who snuck out of Julian’s home where you were safe? Do you think he would be happy you did? Do you—I ask again—think he cares? He’s happy he does not have to deal with you anymore. I have done him a huge favor.”

  Seeing that he wasn’t having an effect on her as much as he wanted, he pushed further. “He knows you are here and yet he does nothing. He leaves you with me. He knows what I plan and yet he does nothing to stop me. He does not care about you. You are a human to him and nothing more.”

  His words struck her where he wanted at last. Maybe Julian didn’t care where she was. Why would he? It’s not like Julian had any reason to care. It did make it easier for him now. And yesterday—was it yesterday?—he asked if she knew this man. Maybe he did know what Vincent planned. She was getting confused. Surely Julian cared. Surely the man she’d met would not let her be with a man like this. He swore she was safe.

  That was before she snuck out of his castle, but still. Julian wouldn’t allow Vincent to hurt her.

  Would he?

  “Stop it,” she snapped. “I don’t believe you. You’re telling lies. Julian cares. I know he does. You’re trying to play games with my head. Trying to make me hate him and I won’t. They didn’t handcuff me. You have. You’re the one I can’t trust.”

  Vincent sat watching her inner battle, knowing she fought with her own thoughts, “Poor girl. You know I am right—”

  “Julian wouldn’t hit me either. He hasn’t. Nor would—or has—Kober. That’s all on you.”

  Vincent’s jaw clenched and he snarled. “Do not interrupt me. Are you so sure he wouldn’t touch you? You do not know Julian as well as you believe. He is not as nice as you perceive him.”

  “And yet, the mark on my face is from who? Oh yeah. You, you jerk.”

  Vincent got up from his chair, causing Kat to snap her mouth shut. He sat down next to her on the bed. She watched him with a cautious eye, but kept quiet.

  He reached up—despite her trying to avoid it—and grabbed her neck in his massive hand to force her to face him. With her free hand, she tried to stop him, but he’d pinned it to the bed before she had a chance.

  Vincent glared at her. “I put that mark on your face to remind you who you belong to. Who you need to listen to. I put that mark on your face because you need to respect me—”

  “Respect you? Why would I ever respect you?” Kat choked out.

  “There it is again. You interrupting me.” Vincent’s grip tightened. She whimpered and her eyes watered. “You will respect me. You will learn. There is nowhere you can go that I cannot find you. You cannot get away from me. Not anymore.” He let go of her face and she turned away from him, not wanting to show when the tears threatened to fall.

  A sharp rap came at the door as it was opened and Cyrus strolled in, shutting the door behind him. Kat was flabbergasted upon seeing him. He was connected with Vincent? She should’ve guessed.

  “Vincent, what did you do?” Cyrus walked over to the other side of the bed and took hold of Kat’s face. He turned her face this way and that, looking at the forming scab.

  “She mouthed off. She needs to learn she cannot get away with talking to me that way.” Vincent looked up at his Sire.

  Kat jerked her face free of Cyrus’s hand. “What are you doing here? Are you the mastermind who brought me here to this hellhole?”

  Vincent grabbed Kat’s chin and made her face him again. His face in hers he threatened, “Watch your mouth. Apologize. Now.” He forced her to face Cyrus.

  Kat’s faced burned. Her chin screamed in pain. Stuck in the grasp of Vincent, she couldn’t look away from Cyrus. “Why should I apolo—Ow!”

  “What did I say?” Vincent raised his other hand and Kat’s eyes widened.

  Cyrus cut in. “Vincent there is no need to hit her. She won’t respond to you if you continue to hit her. Look at her, she’s frightened enough.”

  A tear made its way down her cheek. She was stuck there. There would be no Kober walking in to save her this time. Vincent glared at her, wishing he could hit her, but his hand dropped from her face when he glanced up at Cyrus.

  Cyrus looked down at her. “Now. What do you wish to say?”

  The self-righteous power emanating from Cyrus was clear, and boy did she feel it. She looked up at him, but as another tear fell, she ducked her head and kept quiet.

  Vincent tried to say something, b
ut Cyrus silenced him with his hand. “Look at me Kat.”

  Kat’s lip quivered. She bit down on it when tears threatened to pour. She didn’t want to listen to him, nor did she want to obey him, but she found herself unable to deny him. She raised her head to meet his gaze, holding no anger, only calm patience. Almost feeling like she’d been compelled into it.

  Cyrus smiled. “Better. Now, what did you want to ask me?”

  “Nothing.” Kat glanced out the window located on the side wall in defiance. She hated being in the room with them. She hated them. She didn’t want to talk to them. Why couldn’t they just leave her alone?

  Vincent watched her, but didn’t possess the same patience his Sire did. “Answer him when he speaks to you.” Anger held in check, Vincent kept his hands to himself for the time being.

  “Why am I here?” Kat whispered. “What do you want from me?”

  Cyrus reached over to hand an item to Vincent and brought Kat’s attention back as Vincent leaned across her body. He reached for her handcuffed wrist, using the moment to lean closer than he needed to. His body covered her small frame and he unlocked the cuff with a smile, knowing she was uncomfortable and enjoying it. As soon as the cuff was off, Kat started rubbing the pain away, looking away from Vincent.

  “You know both of those answers.” Cyrus glanced down at her wrist, then back to Vincent. “You don’t need the cuffs anymore, Vincent. Does he, Kat?”

  “Course he doesn’t. When he drops me off at my condo and leaves me alone, he’ll have no use for them.” Kat smirked at both of the men.

  Cyrus’s attention moved back to Vincent. “Do you know how many women you could have? As I’ve asked a thousand times, are you sure about this?”

  Kat’s attention snapped toward Vincent. “See! He has a point. You don’t want me. Take me home,” she demanded.

  Vincent watched Kat. He said nothing, but watched her until she began shifting under his intense gaze. “You know you are not going anywhere.” He told her in a casual tone, glancing up at Cyrus before returning his attention to her. “You are the one who told me I made a great choice after you’d met her. ‘She will make an excellent Raaka queen,’ you’d said. She is strong enough. All this fighting when she knows she cannot win is exactly what the Raaka are about—the fight. She is a fighter until the end and also appealing. I will never need another companion—” Kat’s face showed her disgust, “—and any other woman who I chose would give in to me. She won’t. You will never give in to me will you, Kat?”

  Kat glared at him in disgust, “Fuck. Off. You’re disgusting.”

  Vincent smiled. “See? Always she will fight me and never will I grow bored. She’s perfect.” Kat snorted.

  Cyrus watched the spectacle before him and smiled. “You know she will always try to run from you. I can see it in her eyes. She knows she is defeated, but given the opportunity? She will run and she will run hard.”

  Kat grinned, but the grin died when Vincent’s hand snaked out. She thought he’d strike her. Instead, he slid the back along her cheekbone where he’d struck her before, causing her to flinch and move her face.

  “I would bet my life on it.” He seized her chin and tugged her mouth to his.

  Kat let out a small cry of surprise and helplessness. He held her against him for a moment before releasing her. She jerked her head back and scowled at him.

  “Bastard. I will never be your queen. The idea makes me gag. Make me your queen, and I will turn everyone against you.” I hope he bought that.

  A dark smile crept across Vincent’s lips. “You will be my queen. There is no question. Try to turn my own men against me. Why would they listen to a woman? I do not refer to you being queen as anything other than the lead female of the clan. Do not think it gives you merit. It does not mean what your human version does. There is no true queen. Never has been and certainly can never be. The clans do not work as you wish they did, especially not the Raaka. A woman could never call the shots unless the man she belongs to gives the okay. Try it and see.” He stroked her cheek again, causing her to once more jerk her head away.

  “Enough of this Vincent. I don’t have time to watch you quarrel. See me out.” Vincent looked at Kat, and a moment later got up off the bed to follow his sire.

  “Stay tight. I promise I will come back.” Laughing that sick laugh to himself, Vincent left the room, engaging the lock as he did.

  Kat listened to the footsteps moving away from the door and sat there for a moment before walking over to the window to look out. It was difficult to see anything along the darkened streets and river below. Nothing was familiar about this place, she wasn’t sure she was still in the same city.

  A lone boat blew its somber melody off in the distance, making her feel more isolated and alone. The blinking lights fading into the darkness reminded her of her freedom slipping away.

  She thought about Kober and how he’d always saved her, but when she needed him, he wasn’t there. Where was he and Julian? She shouldn’t have left Julian’s castle. She put herself in this situation. How on earth could she get out?

  Night had fallen, so everything was dark outside. The river looked like black sludge rippling along. Kat turned her gaze to the street far below the building. It wasn’t a street, but an alley that surrounded the building. Droplets of rain pelted the window as she tried to find anything of help.

  There was nothing.

  Absolutely nothing.

  No cars, no people . . . nothing. Nothing but the damn river . . . and she couldn’t even swim.

  Kat left the window, tired of watching her only escape route shrinking with every nuance of recognition and escape that couldn’t be found. She felt imprisoned and abandoned, alone and isolated. She put herself in this situation and she had to live with it. She lowered down to the bed, buried her face in her hands, and cried.

  Sixteen

  Vincent followed Cyrus out to the car, outside the warehouse. As they walked over, the driver opened the door for him.

  Cyrus faced him. “Vincent, be careful. I guarantee you she’s going to give you hell. Don’t ever think she’s given in to you, even if she acts like it. I can see it in her eyes and I can sense it within. There is something about her I have never felt before. You should too. Don’t you dare let her fool you into thinking she’s ever become submissive. Don’t underestimate that woman. Ever. I mean that.”

  Vincent snarled. “Don’t talk to me like I am some child you must educate. I’m not stupid. She will learn she cannot get away from me. I will make sure she learns.”

  Cyrus stood there in patience. “Are you finished? As I said, you don’t need to beat her to get her to listen to you. The more you beat her, the less she will listen. Why can’t you see that?”

  “I get that. I also know once she is Awakened, she will know where she belongs. Julian will want nothing more to do with her once she is Raaka.”

  “Do you? You’re a brute my dear boy. Don’t get me wrong, it is why I decided to place you in charge of this city this time. However, when dealing with her, it will not work. You must finesse her. To do otherwise would be to detrimental, more to her than to you.”

  “So be it.”

  Cyrus stared at him. “You are playing a dangerous game, Vincent. You need to talk to Julian. He is the Prince of the City. You need his permission for me to Awaken her. As the alpha, and most powerful Raaka, I can deliver the bite which will start the process to Awaken her into the clan, but without the prince’s permission, you will be defying his laws.”

  Vincent gaped at him, his eyebrows rose. “Julian is no true prince. There should be a Raaka in charge. I will not ask permission to Awaken a queen of my own. A Raaka no less.”

  Cyrus sighed. “This is what I am talking about, Vincent. Rein in the temper. At least somewhat. You’ve made a good leader of the clan in this area, but the Raaka get their power from being brutes, controlled brutes. If you let your anger guide you, you will screw yourself when all is said and done. In the
end, focus on using that anger and not allowing it to control you.”

  “Why do I feel like you are more interested in lecturing me for my choices, than to help me with my situation? If you are not interested in helping, why are you here?”

  Realizing he was having no effect on him, Cyrus resolved to leave him to his fate. “Vincent, I am leaving. Call me when you need me. Remember all I said.”

  “Fine,” Vincent growled before storming off.

  Seventeen

  If Julian wasn’t such a patient man, he’d throw the desk across the room. Kober could see the tremendous amount of anger Julian suppressed. It took Julian a lot of effort to do so, though he looked calm on the outside. To Kober’s trained eye, Julian looked ready to kill someone.

  In a controlled, but nonetheless menacing voice, he growled at Kober, “What happened? Where is she? I want to know how she got out of this castle.”

  Kober stood by and waited with utter patience for Julian to finish. They heard of Kat’s disappearance soon after she left. By the time a maid had woken Julian, Kat was gone. He ordered guards to search the grounds and immediate area, but nobody could find anything. When Kober searched her condo, her scent said she hadn’t been alone when she was there last, which didn’t help Julian’s anger.

  “I am not sure, Julian. Cage is out looking for her. The guards who let her out have been . . . dealt with. As for Vincent and Cyrus, they have disappeared for the moment—”

  Julian’s eyes flashed yellow. “You and I both know they’ve gone underground and who they have. What I want to know is how in the hell it happened, Kober?” He slammed his fist against his desk. “And where is she?”

  The scent from the condo suggested Sean and his gang had grabbed her. Kat was kidnapped during the day, but that meant nothing for Sean seeing that he was so old. If he’d fed, he could handle that brief moment of daylight without a problem.