Hi Readers,

Thankyou for being so patient and understanding. I am really happy to have such amazing people as my readers who respected my priorities and were so concerned about my health and well being. 

With all my heart guyz...I really am happy that you guyz are such wonderful human beings. 

So here is the chapter. I have also started to work on my other stories. I will try to update and finish this book by the end of this year hopefully. 

❤❤❤❤

🔞Trigger Ahead 🔞 

DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE DISTURBED IN ANY WAY WITH SUCH CONTENT. 

Remember - The book is dark and shit is supposed to get dark ☠

August barely had a moment to process what was happening. She felt Lucian's rough hands gripping her shoulders as he hoisted her onto his shoulder without a word, carrying her down the dark, winding stairs. Each step was deliberate, slow, and heavy, echoing ominously in the stairwell, amplifying the dread pooling in her stomach.

When they reached the bottom, he threw her ruthlessly onto the cold, unforgiving floor. She hit the ground hard, a sharp, searing pain radiating through her side. Whimpering, she clutched her ribs, biting back the cry that threatened to escape. Gathering her breath, she looked up to find herself in a dimly lit basement. Shadows clung to every corner, and the air was thick with a damp, metallic scent that only heightened her unease.

August glared at Lucian, her eyes blazing with defiance. He noticed the hatred flashing across her face and scoffed, clearly unfazed, perhaps even entertained by her resistance. The sight of her anger, her refusal to submit, only seemed to amuse him.

"Oh, look at that expression," he sneered, starting to roll up the sleeves of his sweatshirt with a deliberate, mocking slowness. "If only that fire was saved for something more...useful." His voice dripped with a twisted amusement as he dropped down to one knee, bringing himself closer to her level.

He reached out, his fingers tilting her chin up so their eyes met. "I'd enjoy this little fiery side of yours, you know," he murmured, his voice low and mocking, "but only if it were under... different circumstances. Like you, under me, begging for pleasure, completely at my mercy" he continued with a smirk, his words sending a chill down her spine.

August felt a shudder ripple through her, but she kept her gaze steady, refusing to let him see the fear that churned within. She didn't flinch, didn't pull away. Instead, she held his gaze, the silent fury in her eyes unwavering.

Her defiance did not go unnoticed. His smirk faltered slightly, just a flicker of irritation crossing his face before he masked it with his usual indifferent expression. He took that as a challenge, his sole aim was now to break her, crumble her to dust.

"So bold," he said, leaning in closer, his face only inches from hers. His voice softened to a whisper. "Tell me, my dear little doll... are you a masochist, by any chance?" His question was almost playful, his eyes dark with a gleam that made her stomach twist.

August's eyes narrowed, lips pressed tightly together, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer.

Lucian merely chuckled, amused by her silence. "Let's find out, shall we?" he taunted. Without warning, he seized her bruised hand, lifting it delicately at first, almost as if he intended to inspect the damage. August felt her heart race, her pulse pounding as his fingers traced the edges of her injuries, sending sharp sparks of pain through her nerves.

Then, before she could react, his grip tightened. In one swift, brutal motion, he twisted her hand backward. A raw scream tore from her lips as white-hot pain shot through her wrist, the world spinning as she writhed, struggling to pull her hand from his grasp. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, eyes squeezed shut as the pain consumed her.

After what felt like an eternity, he released her hand, her arm dropping lifelessly to her side. "Ah, disappointing," he muttered, watching as she clutched her hand to her chest, her body trembling from the shock. "It seems you're not quite as... eager for pain as I thought." He feigned a sigh, his expression one of mocking disappointment.

August could barely focus on his words, too overwhelmed by the throbbing agony in her wrist. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she forced them back, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.

"Oh, don't cry, little doll," he cooed, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face with a twisted gentleness that only deepened the pit of dread in her stomach. "It's refreshing, actually. Knowing you'll take your punishment exactly as you should—with no pleasure to distract you." His words were a sick mockery of comfort, his tone both condescending and cold.

He rose to his feet, and for a moment, August allowed herself a flicker of hope as she heard his footsteps retreating, the weight of his presence easing slightly. Perhaps he was done with her. Perhaps he would leave her here, bruised but otherwise unharmed.

But then she heard it—the sound of metal scraping against the floor. Her heart plummeted as she looked up, her breath hitching at the sight of him dragging an iron rod behind him, its dull surface gleaming in the dim light.

Panic surged through her veins, and she scrambled backward, her eyes wide with terror as she stared at the rod, unable to tear her gaze away.

Lucian's smile was a dark, chilling thing as he watched her reaction, a predator relishing in the fear of his prey. He gave the rod a small twirl, as if testing its weight. "Now, if you'd just obeyed me," he mused, tilting his head, "we wouldn't be in this position, would we? But no... you had to make things difficult." He clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment. "This is your fault, doll. You brought this upon yourself."

"N-No, g-get t-that thing a-away from me," August whispered, her voice barely more than a broken plea. But Lucian's expression didn't waver, unmoved by her desperation. Instead, he took a step forward, the rod tapping ominously against the floor.

"tsk. tsk. not so brave anymore now?" he chuckled. "I thought you were stronger than that, doll."

"Get the fuck away from me, you monster," she yelled with all the energy left in her body, her voice shaking as she tried to back away but gasped when she found the wall behind her. Her breathings increased heavily as terror started to completely occupy her mind.

He just watched her, his eyes cold and unreadable. Then, without a word, he raised the rod and brought it down, striking her leg with brutal force.

Pain exploded through her body, so intense that her vision blurred, her scream echoing through the empty basement. She writhed, trying to pull herself away, but Lucian's next strike came down, and then another, each blow more ruthless than the last, each one shattering what little strength she had left.

When he finally stopped, she was barely conscious, her body a broken shell, the pain a relentless wave that threatened to drag her under.

With a mocking smirk he bent down to her level and tucked her hair that were sticking all over face. He could see her struggling for every breath she took and he was amused the amount of tolerance that she had towards pain that she was still had little bit consciousness left in her.

"Remember this rule doll and carve it into your soul. If you even dare to breath in another man's presence, I would personally deprive you of the very air that you need to survive. You got that hmmm" Lucian hissed.

"Answer Me" he yelled as he banged her head hard against the floor.

"YES" She screamed out in pain.

"Yes... what?" he demanded, his tone sharp.

"Yes... sir," she ground out, the words tasting like poison on her tongue.

"My pretty little doll... such a quick learner you are." He praised kissing her forehead.

"now make sure you never forget this session, doll. Because next time, I won't be so... forgiving." 

She heard his voice somewhere above her, faint and distorted, mocking words that she couldn't comprehend through the haze of agony.

And then, darkness claimed her and the last thought echoed within her

"How much longer can she endure,
standing against these beasts that haunt her soul?"

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