If the room were of normal temperature, I might be sweating. Every fibre of my being is screaming at me to run, but I find myself fixed, only able to stare into her devilish eyes.
"Arya". She mouths my name like she has been dying to say it.
My throats constricts and I feel an uneasy lump forming.
"What a pleasure. I see you've met my number one". She says and gives Xian Xi a quick glance.
Her gaze roves over me.
"To what do I owe the pleasure". I hear him ask her in a tense voice.
"I merely came to congratulate you and your companion". She says and eyes me jealously.
She still thinks she owns me. I would never be free of her until she's dead.
She turns and leaves with a deadly glint in her eyes.
My shoulders sag as soon as she disappears at the door.
"What was all that about?" He asks.
I did not realize that I have been trembling visibly.
"I was once her captive, I thought you knew that". I say defensively.
No one knows the extent of the abuse I suffered at Fang's hands.
"I saw the way she looked at you. There is no denying that she is interested in you in...other ways".
"I did not notice".
He sizes me up with his gaze.
"I did more than notice. Your knees were looking like they would give way beneath you".
I give him a glare that warns that he should not pursue the subject.
A bell chimes softly.
I tense in alarm.
"Relax. It's just the dining bell."
"So you are allowed to leave your room?"
"Yes. But, mind you, I can't leave the Vault".
"Have you tried breaking this window?" I ask and point at the glass plane that overlooks the barren land.
He smirks.
"Don't you think I would have tried doing that? I have tried everything possible. There is an invisible forcefield that veils the entire area. It uses magic so dark that it is impossible to sense it. Nothing can break past it".
"Then how does the demon queen come and go?"
"She disappears and appears. She's too powerful to need a door".
That makes sense. She must be even more powerful that I remember her. It is either that I never paid attention to her goings and comings or that she grew even more powerful.
"Will you join me for lunch? You might like the menu".
"Would it be only you?"
"No. It would be way too boring. The other diamond rank members would be there as well".
"How many are you?"
"Ten. You should know that".
"Perhaps I should".
He motions for me to turn around as he takes off his rough leather jacket.
"I'm curious. What do you spend all your money on?"
He chuckles.
"I spend them on expensive robes mostly, and a weapon every once in a while".
"Robes? How vain of you".
"I can't let my good looks go to waste, darling. Besides, I have to look the part of the diamond rank's number one".
"Fair enough. Then, why do you choose to wear these worn out clothes?"
"I am not exactly sure. My expensive robes are not exactly battle attire either".
I refuse to chase the subject.
When I turn around, he is wearing a blue and white silk robe. He looks more noble than the emperor.
"You can always buy one for yourself. Don't expect me to waste my coins on you, I'm way too greedy and selfish for that".
"System, show me the prices of a pair of black robes".
"Black? How unattractive". He comments with a snort.
I ignore him.
The prices the system displays are enough to turn my stomach. The cheapest one I can afford is worth my total amount of coins.
"You'll make more". He says in a way of encouragement.
I buy the robe and it appears on my body. How convenient.
---
We entire the elegant dining room. The tables are low and every one is seated on mats, wearing similar robes. All eyes dart to me and all conversation ceases.
I stare at them, barely stopping my mouth from hanging open.
Everyone at the table is very handsome. I mean dashingly and ridiculously handsome. I can't help thinking that the demon queen has managed to snag them into her harem. I can't believe my eyes. All shades of hair and eyes are staring at me.
"Kaven, Choi, Rames, Jakota, Huang, Arcane, Valen, Kross and Tera, meet Arya".
No one utters a word.
"No one told me that we can invite women into our circle". The one with pale blonde hair says.
"I actually kidnapped her. No more questions. Let's eat".
Everyone forces themselves to surpress their curiousity and stuff food down their throats.
"So does the demon queen visit here often?" I ask.
"Yes. We all have no objections". His tone is sly and implies something dark.
"I thought you hate demons and have sworn off women".
A slow smile curves his lips.
"I still do, and I have been compromised".
I raise an eyebrow.
"Compromised?"
"You raped me earlier".
Strangled coughs erupt all over the table. They are all getting the wrong ideas.
I struggle not to stare too much. They all look like a band of rock stars who every girl would die for.
"You're very pretty". The quiet one with red hair says.
I smile lightly.
How do any of these men hold their rank so securely? They all look like they would be frightened by a mere cockroach...or spider.
"Since Xian Xi gets to bring a woman, I think I would go out to the common cafeteria and meet some ladies there".
"Bad idea. They can't pass through the door".
"Then, how did you bring her here?"
"We were in the same nightmare. I brought her down here with me".
The other guys look disappointed.
I sip my hot tea. It is scalding hot, but I seem to manage.
After some time of quiet eating, everyone leaves the table. Only I and Xian Xi remain.
"Do they know?"
"Of course not."
The air suddenly turns chilly. I sit alert with my spine becoming so straight that it could be used to draw a straight line.
The demon queen appears behind me. She is whispering behind my ear very softly.
"You think you are going to leave me? I have searched for you for more than seven thousand years now. When I found your demon form, I knew I would eventually find you. Now that I have you, you are not going anywhere. No portals can save you. No gemstones will help you. If you try to leave, these people will begin to die one by one. Give up. There's no way out of this one".