Alara sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the walls.They were clean, plain, but the lack of windows made the air feel heavier.
She had no idea what time it was. No clock. No phone. No sunlight.
Her stomach growled again, but she wasn't sure if she was hungry or just tired.The bowl of soup from earlier sat on the table, untouched.
The door opened suddenly, and Mara stepped inside holding a tray with water and bread.
Alara jumped to her feet. "Please—can you just tell me where I am?"
Mara set the tray down quietly. "You're safe here."
"That's not an answer," Alara said, her voice sharper now. "Safe where? What is this place? A hospital? A prison? Some guy's weird guest room?"
Mara's mouth twitched like she was trying not to laugh. "It's not a hospital."
"Then what is it?"
Mara hesitated, glancing at the door. "I can't explain."
Alara's hands clenched into fists. "Why not? Is it a secret cult? Is he keeping me here for ransom? Because newsflash—my family's not rich."
Mara shook her head. "It's not like that."
"Then what is it like?"
The older woman sighed and poured water into a glass. "You ask a lot of questions."
"Of course I do! I woke up in a strange bed, in a locked room, with a man who talks like he owns me. I have no idea how I even got here!"
Mara studied her for a moment, then said softly, "You came here on your own."
Alara blinked. "No, I didn't. I was walking home, and—" She stopped, the memory fuzzy. "And then…"
Her voice trailed off.
"Then?" Mara prompted gently.
"I… I'm not sure," Alara admitted, frowning. "I think I saw… someone. Then everything went dark."
Mara nodded slightly. "That sounds about right."
Alara's skin prickled. "Right? What's that supposed to mean? What did he do to me?"
"He didn't hurt you," Mara said firmly. "If he wanted to, he would have."
"That's not comforting," Alara shot back.
There was a long silence before Alara spoke again, her voice smaller now. "I don't even know his name."
"Darius," Mara said simply.
Alara repeated it slowly, tasting the unfamiliar weight of it. "Darius. And what, he's the… owner of this place?"
"You could say that," Mara replied.
Alara huffed. "Well, I want to talk to him. Right now."
Mara shook her head again. "Not tonight."
"Not tonight? Is he hiding from me?"
"No. He's… busy."
Alara's frustration boiled over. "Busy doing what? Running this mystery kingdom of his? Planning my next meal like I'm some pet he has to feed?"
Mara didn't answer.
"You know, you're not helping," Alara said, pacing. "You keep dodging my questions like you're scared of him. Should I be scared too?"
Mara finally met her gaze. "It would be wise."
Alara froze. "That's not an answer I wanted to hear."
"I didn't say you should be terrified," Mara added. "I said wise. There's a difference."
"I can't tell if you're warning me or threatening me," Alara muttered.
"I'm telling you to be careful," Mara said. "And to eat something before you pass out."
"I'm not hungry," Alara lied.
"Then drink," Mara said, handing her the water.
Alara took it reluctantly, sipping without breaking eye contact. "Fine. But tomorrow, I'm getting answers."
Mara's lips curved in a faint, almost pitying smile. "We'll see."
Before Alara could respond, the door opened again.
Darius stepped inside without knocking, his presence filling the room.
Her breath caught before she forced herself to speak. "We need to talk."
He glanced at the untouched soup and then at her. "You didn't eat."
"Because I'm not here for room service. I'm here against my will."
"You're here because you're safer here than anywhere else," he said simply.
"That's not for you to decide!" she snapped.
"It is," he said, voice low but firm. "As long as you're in my territory, everything is for me to decide."
"Your territory? What are you, some kind of—"
"Enough." The word was a command, and for a moment, she went silent despite herself.
His eyes lingered on her a second longer before he turned to Mara. "Stay with her tonight."
Then he walked out, leaving the door locked behind him.
Alara stared after him, her mind spinning. She still didn't know where she was. She didn't know who he really was.
And the worst part? A small, unwelcome part of her was starting to wonder if she actually was safer here… or if that was just what they wanted her to believe.