"A pleasure house…"
I had naively thought my uncle and aunt were simply selling me off to the old vampire…Cruel, yes but still manageable.
But I was wrong.
They were selling me to a pleasure house.
A freaking pleasure house!
I immediately grabbed my dress off the floor and put it on as quickly as I could before dropping to my knees.
"Please, Uncle Darius, Aunt Hilda, I'm begging you. Don't do this. Please, I'm still your niece, your brother's daughter. What would my father say if he were right here? Please…" I begged my voice cracking. I knew they were monsters and that they had already made up their minds. But what other option did I have, other than pleading with them?
My uncle laughed, his entire body shaking with amusement. "My brother was an idiot for bringing your dog mother into his home. He got what he deserved. And now you, his filthy offspring, will get what you deserve as well."
My aunt lowered herself to my level, gently lifting my face with a finger.
"You should be grateful, Diana. Do you know how many girls would kill for a place in Lord Carrow's house? You'll be fed, clothed, and touched by men with power in their veins."
I felt bile rise in my throat.
"You're monsters," I whispered, voice trembling. "You're supposed to protect me. You're my blood."
"Blood?" Aunt Hilda spat. "You think that matters? Look at you, silver-haired freak. A half-breed born of disgrace. The only reason we didn't toss you into the river when your father died is because your cursed blood was worth something."
I couldn't hold back my tears anymore, they streamed down my face as I slowly rose to my feet. "I won't go," I said, though my voice was barely more than a whisper.
Uncle Darius's smile vanished.
"You will," he said coldly. "Or I'll have the guards drag you there in chains."
The door suddenly creaked open behind me.
A servant peeked in and gave a small bow. "The carriage has arrived, my lord."
My heart dropped.
Aunt Hilda turned to me, smoothing out her skirts. "Wipe your face, Diana. You'll want to look presentable when you arrive at the pleasure house."
"Please, Aunt Hilda, I'm begging you. Don't do this to me… Please."
Before she could respond, the old vampire rose to his feet.
"It's time to go, girl," he says calmly, his voice like ice. His eyes boring into mine.
I shook my head. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
Before I could blink, he was in my face. All I felt was the whoosh of air and then his hand was around my neck, squeezing until I couldn't breathe, his fingers digging into my skin.
"The very first rule you should be aware of is that my girls never disobey me. So when I say something, you blindly obey. Understand?" he growled, his fangs extracted, his eyes red.
I couldn't even answer. His grip was like iron.
So I nodded, tears stinging my eyes.
He released me, and I collapsed to my knees gasping for air, heart racing.
"Pleasure doing business with you," he said to my uncle, straightening his coat as he turned toward the door.
I didn't need to be told to follow. I already knew the consequences.
As I walked behind him, I turned to my uncle and aunt one last time. Hoping, foolishly that they would stop this. Save me. Stupid of me, I know, but I could only hope.
But they didn't even look at me. They were too busy drooling over the blood-red diamonds. All I could do was remember all the times the bastards had tortured me, broken me, humiliated me… and now they were selling me off.
I wanted more than anything to just attack them...to fight back for once. But I'd be an idiot if I actually thought I could.
I mean, I had to be the weakest person in the entire world. Even weaker than a human.
I shut my eyes, turning back to the door. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe this was fate's way of saving me.
Saving me by turning me into a whore. What cruel fate I have.
I finally followed Lord Carrow out, and we reached outside where a black carriage was waiting. He got in without a word. I hesitated.
I wasn't sure if I was allowed to get in the carriage with him...being a small, confined space and all, and me being a filthy half-breed and him a pure blood.
But he glanced at me and sneered. "Are you waiting for an invitation?"
I shook my head quickly before hurriedly entering beside him.
Inside the carriage looked very luxurious. But my heart was too heavy to care. I had never left my father's house before. Never! And now I was being taken away… sold like livestock. I wondered what awaited me now.
The carriage began to move, and I realized how real everything was getting. I watched through the window as the mansion grew smaller, until it disappeared entirely.
I couldn't stop the tears. But I quickly wiped them away as I realized Lord Carrow was staring at me. Very intently. It made me incredibly uncomfortable.
I shifted in my seat, knowing there was no escape.
I sat there quietly as we rode through the dark roads until we were completely surrounded by dark trees. It was like we were riding into darkness.
But then the carriage suddenly stopped. I thought we had arrived..but we were still in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing...no house, no light, no gates. Just woods.
I looked up at Lord Carrow. He looked at me.
"Get out."He said his expression flat.
I blinked confused. "What?"
"I said get out!" he barked, grabbing me and shoving me so hard I hit the ground. Pain shot through my side as the door slammed shut behind me.
The carriage began to roll.
I scrambled out of the way before the wheels could crush me. I stood there, stunned, alone in the dark.
What the hell just happened!?
Where the hell was I?
I turned in a slow circle. Trees everywhere. No sign of life.
I sighed, deciding to just stay on the path the carriage followed, because it was useless to try heading back.
But why would Lord Carrow pay lots of money only to just dump me in the middle of nowhere? I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, so I immediately started to walk quickly down the path.
But then I heard a sound. I turned around and tried to listen, but I didn't hear it again. I began walking faster, but it suddenly felt like something, or someone, was following me. I turned around again, but no one was there.
I didn't even realize when I started running, but I did. I began to run as fast as I could, but now it felt like something was chasing after me.
I ran faster, but started to think it was all in my head. So I stopped. Breathing heavily, I turned around—only to come face to face with a set of glowing green eyes.
And below them, long sharp teeth dripping with saliva.
A beast.
No.
Worse.
A werewolf.