Chained to Darkness

by Raven Woodward

  The moment he’d towered over her on Arian’s porch and dragged his venom-coated claws through her flesh, he’d marked her.

  And yet, he felt as though she’d marked him in return.

  It was the start of a new moon cycle when he stumbled up the tower to his chambers. The door security system scanned him and opened without his prompting—a feature he needed to have installed on all of his Earth residences.

  The skin on his arms was tight, the brown, flaking blood coating him from fingertip to elbow where his rolled sleeves absorbed the rest. It was his second ruined shirt in the space of a single moon cycle. He huffed as he undid the buttons on his way to the cleansing room, tearing a few clean off in his agitation.

  Stripped bare, he commanded the shower to turn on. Hot water poured from the top and he stepped under the spray. Droplets of red splashed the shower walls. He didn’t need a mirror to know his face and hair had been covered in blood and gore. After he’d burned off some steam, he’d bathed in the river several miles from the castle ruins before returning and dressing in a crisp suit. That he then destroyed with more blood and gore.

  Even with it washed away, he felt it on his skin as if it crawled over his body, avoiding the water. He scratched the itching until his skin was raw. Brutality was nothing new. He didn’t shy away from blood. Violence was as much a part of his genetic makeup as his grey eyes.

  He could thank his father for both traits.

  With a snarl he punched the wall, crushing the pearl-coated stone.

  “Have you finished?” the sleek automated voice asked.

  “Yes.”

  The water ceased to flow and Oricus stormed out, grabbing a cloth to dry himself. He collected his ruined clothing and tossed it all into the burning fire. It was way too fucking hot outside for a fire, but the servants had anticipated he’d want to burn everything the blood had soaked.

  Looking around to ensure everything was in a tidy, pristine state, he dropped onto his bed, letting exhaustion take him. After all, it had been too long since he’d last slept.

  They crouched low between the trees, holding their breaths and straining to hear sounds of anything worth shooting. A clucking sounded; it was faint, but audible through the dense foliage.

  The man beside him met his gaze. Their eyes were the same—grey like the ashes that decorated the hearth at home. He nodded his head, thick beard creasing with the motion.

  Oricus reached over his shoulder, the coarse feathers at the end of the arrow brushing his fingertips. With practiced grace he withdrew it from his quiver.

  The foukest strutted in the clearing in time for Oricus to nock his bow. With brightly colored feathers and a habit of making noise wherever it went, it was one of the most conspicuous creatures that existed in the Honouriax Woods. But what it lacked in stealth it made up for in speed. Foukest were wicked fast, which meant you got only one shot at them.

  Nevertheless, the foukest were a dying breed of creatures. Not that his father cared.

  Oricus lined up his sight with the bird when it stilled. He breathed in, steadying himself. A whine sounded behind him, just as he let the arrow fly, jerking his arm to the side. The foukest made a panicked clucking sound before turning tail and zooming back through the bush it had come from. With a hollow thunk the arrow wobbled uselessly into the tree, making it moan and twist in pain.

  Oricus whirled, fixing a glare on the beast behind him. The black beast was one of three moyet, all of them bred for hunting. Except his one, Kole, who would rather chase the animals they hunted away. Its black tongue hung from its mouth and its back end shook with excitement. Worthless beast. His youngest brother, Elentis, wrapped his arms around its thick neck and yanked it back, eyeing their father, whose face had gone red with rage.

  “Here,” he demanded, pointing to the ground in front of him. But Elentis held Kole, who dropped its ears, knowing what was coming.

  “Father, please, he doesn’t know that making noise scares the other animals away. He’s eager to please,” Elentis pleaded.

  “HERE.”

  Oricus swallowed hard, turning away as Kole whined and slowly stepped out of the boy’s arms to face its punishment. With a sigh, Lefayon strode toward the tree that had been impaled by the rogue arrow.

  The first hit tore a cry from both the moyet and Elentis. Oricus met Arian’s gaze on the other side of the clearing, where he and three of their brothers had been perched. Arian’s jaw was tight and a fire burned in his green eyes. As the oldest, Arian was the one to interfere with their father’s wrath. But it was usually their mother he interceded for. Though it hurt him to watch, he likely wouldn’t take the punishment for a hunting beast.

  Another punch landed on the creature, and with it a gut-churning noise stirred the trees, birds taking flight and rustling the leaves.

  “Father, stop!” Elentis shuffled forward, reaching for Kole. “You’re killing him!”

  The crack of their father’s hand on flesh sent Elentis into the dirt. “I should have killed that creature years ago.”

  Oricus pulled another arrow free and aimed it for the moyet’s skull. It wheezed on the ground, blood trickling from multiple wounds.

  “Never mind, Father, I’ll do it,” Oricus said.

  The molten silver in his father’s gaze shone with approval and his bushy face broke into a grin.

  Oricus released the arrow before Elentis could do something stupid and incur any more hits from Father. This time, he hit his mark with a sickening squelch.

  Elentis choked on his sob, but Oricus lifted his gaze, meeting Arian’s yet again. There was disgust but also a thread of grateful understanding.

  But the days of seeking his older brother’s approval were far from over. Oricus put up the appearance of seeking his father’s approval, but he didn’t need anyone to support his decisions, and one day when he ruled over Scondelade, he’d finally be free of his family’s oppressive hold.

  Elentis would have to harden up if he was going to survive in the meantime. That animal was always meant to die, but at least now it wouldn’t suffer. One day his brother would see that.

  Oricus awoke, his chest damp with sweat. He pulled himself up to a sitting position, one arm dangling off his bent knee.

  Whether it had been the fact that he’d thought of his cruel father for the first time in centuries or if it was because Elentis was drowning at the bottom of the Okeah—suffering a fate worse than death—that made him relive that memory so vividly, he didn’t know.

  Getting up, he opened the top drawer of his desk, snagged a cigarette from inside, and lit it. The smoke that filled his lungs soothed him.

  With the cigarette clenched between his lips he went to his closet and selected his attire for the day.

  No point in sleeping now. May as well go check on the traitors.

  He left his room, where the memories of his past life lingered. Better to leave them up in the tower than live within the dark cloud of hatred and survival.

  Part Three

  The Fairest of

  Them All

  HARLOW

  When she woke, her head gave a dull throb. She pried her lids apart, then squeezed them shut again from the bright light assaulting her vision. A sharp intake of breath that was not hers made her freeze.

  The memories of what she assumed was last night’s rushed back, flooding her senses. Pain ricocheted through her body anew, duller than before. Her hands moved to feel for what was left of the clothing she’d been in before those nasty men tried to claw them off her.

  Claw them off her.

  With…claws.

  Her fingertips brushed against her skin, the sensation almost too much to bear. They roamed over her torso and down her hips.

  She was naked.

  “Is she feeling herself up?” a gruff, male voice asked. Familiar, but her brain was too clouded to place it.

  “No, you idiot,” another barked in a thick accent. “She
’s checking for injuries.” This one came with a face. Darrow.

  She felt herself relax minutely, only for the oily words to slip back into her mind.

  Your so-called mates don’t give a shit about you. They’ll fuck you like you’re a toy—a plaything—but that’s all you’ll ever be good for.

  Her eyes flew open and she kept them that way despite how the light burned her eyes, making them water. She blinked back the moisture before shooting upright on the bed.

  Her bed.

  Or was it?

  The one Oricus offered everyone but us?

  Their toy.

  Their plaything.

  Darrow’s dark eyes widened, and beside him stood Arodis, looking for all the world like a Greek god. They moved closer to her bed and she kicked off the blankets, readying herself for a fight. Their gazes drank in her naked form.

  “Stay the hell away from me,” she seethed.

  The two men exchanged confused glances. Darrow turned to grab a silk robe draped over her chair and tossed it at her. She caught it and hastily slid it on. Arodis had pointedly shifted his gaze to the floor, though his hands were balled into fists.

  “We mean you no harm, lass,” Darrow said in his rich, soothing Scottish brogue.

  She shook her head. “Whatever sick game this is, it’s over. I know this is all a trick. I’m just the toy you guys will share, then discard when it’s no longer entertaining.”

  Arodis’s blue eyes flashed, darkening like stormy waters. “What do you know of soul bonds?” He took a step forward, and Harlow swore she felt an undercurrent of rage jolt from him, directly into her. “Marked mates feel each other’s emotions if they’re strong enough. Every last one of us felt your bloody terror. Your pain. We smelled your blood. Had we each been allowed to go to you, we would have done so. Not because you’re our fucktoy. If we only wanted to fuck you, girl, we’d have done it by now. Without your consent.”

  A few strands of his honey-brown hair fell over one mesmerizing eye when he leaned forward. His lips were close, and she smelled him. A musky soap mixed with leather and…the scent of old books? She swallowed hard, forcing herself not to breathe it in.

  To not give in and close the distance. Feel his lips on hers.

  A new throbbing started between her thighs, and she clenched them together involuntarily. Vaguely she heard Darrow sniff the air and a rumble shook his chest.

  “There may be twelve of us bonded to only one of you, but that won’t happen until you can handle it,” Arodis said like it was a vow. “You’re ours to protect. That’s what we should have been doing but we’ve been trying to stay away. Until a Mark is completed, a male is nearly mindless with the desire to fuck his mate.”

  As he said it, his pupils expanded, pushing away the deep-sea blue.

  Her blood thrummed with approval, her own desire coursing through her.

  Darrow grabbed Arodis by the shoulder, forcefully hauling him back. “Too close,” he ground out. His voice sounded garbled. As though he suddenly held rocks in his mouth.

  Arodis took a deep breath before yanking himself out of Darrow’s grip. “Don’t you think I don’t bloody know that?” he snapped.

  Harlow watched the two of them. Images of them both kissing down her body, touching her, filled her mind. The three of them tangled together, panting for air while their bodies moved, filling her until she thought she might burst.

  “Lass,” Darrow growled. His dark eyes were black. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re going to need to stop that or this room will suddenly be filled with ten more ravenous men. And after what you went through last night, I cannae imagine you’re up to that.”

  The reminder of the nasty men’s hands on her cleared the lust from her body in an instant. They hadn’t been successful in raping her, as they’d planned. But they’d done enough damage. She cleared her throat and glanced down at the bed, fighting the sudden burn in her eyes.

  “Are they dead? There was a bear or something…” She shook her head, trying to draw on the blurry images she’d witnessed the previous night. “I don’t really remember now.” A frown curved her lips.

  “I’ll tell the cook to send up some food now that you’re awake,” Arodis said after several moments of silence. Her gaze flicked up to meet his, noting the hesitation in his expression.

  She nodded her thanks, though her brows furrowed.

  He strode out of the room, leaving her alone with Darrow.

  He sighed, sinking onto the end of the mattress, farthest from her. His back was to her, and though she knew she should feel uncomfortable being alone with any man after what had transpired, his easy presence relaxed her.

  “Oricus has ordered you be watched at all times.”

  “Why?” Her tone was sharper than she’d intended. Where was he when it all happened? Certain things weren’t adding up and the walls felt like they were closing in around her. “When I went outside, I noticed a lot of things that were…out of place. Who are you guys really? Where am I? Because I may not remember a lot, but I do remember very specifically that Earth has one sun, not two, and it goes down at night.”

  Darrow chuckled. Without answering her, he got to his feet. After a moment, his smile dissipated. “Why did you try to leave?”

  Harlow shook her head. “Answer mine first.”

  Amusement danced in his eyes. “There will be answers to all of your questions in due time, I assure you.” Holding out a large hand to her, he continued. “There’s something I’ve been ordered to show you. It’ll require a walk on the grounds. If you’re interested.” When she opened her mouth to argue, he held up his hand. “It’ll answer one of those questions.”

  She blinked, confused, then nodded.

  “I’ll wait right here while you get dressed.”

  “In my room?” she asked.

  “Your wardrobe is big enough for you to change in. I won’t peek. It’s merely a safety precaution.”

  Harlow wanted to point out that big and muscular though he was, not even he could fight off eight men by himself.

  If it hadn’t been for that creature, she’d have died. Curious, though, she mused. That it attacked only the men, but left me. It had all happened so fast and she hadn’t been able to see much of anything with how swollen her eyes were, though she could have sworn she’d heard more than one bear. Or whatever it was. It had been bigger than a bear, and she’d made out either antlers or horns, she couldn’t be sure.

  She slid off the bed and strode across the room, clasping the robe tightly. Her wardrobe stretched open with waiting arms, enfolding her within the safety of the small space. The light above flicked on. The tube glowed as golden as the outside light—almost like it took it directly from the outdoors. A smile tugged at her lips from noticing the majority of the gowns had been switched out in favor of jeans and leather pants. Who even wore leather pants these days?

  She selected a pair of dark denim jeans and a flowy tank top in pale blue. When she pushed the door open, Darrow turned. His dark brown irises flared with golden flecks. “Ready?” he asked huskily.

  Harlow nodded, following him.

  Outside the door, another scent caught her attention. Standing sentinel, with his hands behind his back, was Viktor. His hard, icy gaze collided with hers and his lip curled.

  Harlow lifted her chin defiantly. If he’d expected to see her broken, he was sorely mistaken. She’d show him just how tough she was.

  “Good guard dog,” she crooned with a mocking smile, before spinning on her heel and stalking down the hall after Darrow. His attention slid from her and to the spot behind her where she knew Viktor stood. Lips twitching in a barely suppressed grin, Darrow finally turned back, casually leading Harlow through the castle.

  Unlike the route she’d taken last night, they turned only a handful of times before coming into a wide hall where vines swayed, a gentle breeze whistling through the holes in the stone.

  “Why is th
is place falling apart? Didn’t you want to fix it up?” she asked.

  Darrow barked a laugh. “The trees claimed Ohklai Castle centuries ago. Oricus made a bargain with them to allow us to spend some time here. It’s not permanent. No one but the village people nearby knows it still exists.”

  She halted, eyeing the branch closest to her, its spindly fingers only a few feet from her. If magic existed, was it really a stretch to think of the trees as living things? If it truly wanted to, would it grab her? It wasn’t the first time she’d thought the plant life growing wildly through the halls were sentient.

  “The trees…are alive?”

  His crooked smile made her heart flip in her chest. “Of course they are, but it’s not them you need to worry about. It’s the Children of the Forest that needed to be bargained with.”

  She shook her head. “What?”

  “Creatures that protect the forest,” was his only response before pushing open the massive stone doors. They groaned and creaked while the vines that wrapped around them slithered back to avoid snapping.

  Her lips parted in shock, unable to process what she was seeing.

  “Yep, definitely aliens,” she whispered.

  Darrow chuckled, standing just out of reach of the magnificent sunlight.

  “Does it ever get dark here?” she asked.

  “Yes. Come, Oricus is waiting.”

  Her brows slammed down. “Why?”

  He didn’t answer, striding down the path paved with pale stones. Hedges lined the path, perfectly rectangular, making Harlow wonder if they needed pruning or if they could shape themselves however they wanted.

  Her footsteps were the only sounds she heard for several moments. She soaked in the feel of the golden light on her skin, the warmth. The subtle fragrance of florals and something sweeter, like fruit.

  That is, until they rounded the corner. Up the sloping path that emptied onto thick grass stood spears erected to the sky, arranged in a semicircle. Lumpy shapes silhouetted by the sun hung from the lances. Standing atop the hill, staring down at her, was a form she recognized—Oricus—though his face was cast in shadows.