adjective ~ causing or feeling anxiety; troubled or uncomfortable

NOVA

Something was touching me. Something other than the blanket I was wrapped in. I grunted and tried to roll away, but I was restricted. Through bleary eyes and a tired mind, I tried to wake myself. I felt drowsy, my head spinning as soon as I lifted it.

I blinked furiously, finding a bright light shining down above me. I groaned, trying to sit upright. Something warm pushed my shoulder down, and I turned to find what it was.

A person. It was a person.

Their hand was holding my shoulder down, preventing me from sitting upright. Immediately, I went to move my arms and legs, but I found them weighed down heavy and unable to move. I panicked, blinking furiously to find out where I was.

"Calm down."

The voice sounded muffled, everything around me blurry. My head was heavy and screamed with exertion every time I tried to move it. Something sharp was touching me, claws, nails, glass? I wasn't sure.

I shook my head, a plea of help desperate to escape my mouth. But my jaw fell slack, burdened with drowsiness.

"Sedate her again."

Sedate me? What? Who was that? What's going on?

I whimpered, shaking my head as another sharp object touched me on the neck. My head swirled, a colourful array of dizziness disorientating me. I cried for help, to stop the swaying tides, but they all too quickly pulled me under.

My head ached as I lay in bed. My mind woke up to the morning sun. I groaned, rolling over and finding myself unchained. That was strange. I could've sworn they chained me up last night...

I bent down to rub at the skin, but as soon as I sat upright, my stomach swirled with nausea. My throat burned, and I heaved. Nothing escaped my stomach, but the sickness never left. I lay back down, choosing it as the safer option. I curled up on my side, closing my eyes to hide the throbbing migraine.

My door unlocking met my ears, and I sighed, forcing my eyes to open. I wasn't sure how long I lay in my sick misery, but whoever interrupted me better come with pain killers. But who am I kidding? This is a prison cell.

The dull eyes of Master met my own, and I froze. I stayed laying down, and he didn't seem too pleased with that. He was scowling at me, staring at me on the rickety bed. He lifted a hand and cupped his fingers. Footsteps grew closer and soon the familiar figure of Raven entered my sight.

My face turned into a scowl before I tried to hide it with a dismissal. Raven looked to Master once before narrowing her eyes at me. I stayed lying, deciding it was better for my swinging head. It felt like I was drunk, or bedridden with a stomach bug or flu.

"What is the matter with her?" Master huffed. "She has been sleeping all morning."

She snapped her head to him and grimaced. "Maybe it's the lack of food and water."

He snarled at her, but she merely blinked her eyes at him.

"Food and water are privileges." He snapped.

"Well, if you are to continue taking her bloo-"

"Do not!"

"Wa-wait. Wh-what is she saying?" I mumbled.

His face turned back to me, his eyes flickering red. His chest heaved as he paused for time to answer, calming his anger.

"Nothing to be concerned about." He attempted to soothe me.

His demeanour changed then, and he came to crouch down beside me. I frowned as his apparent sympathy met my gaze. His hand moved to my face, and I automatically flinched, which caused a faint crack to appear on his facade.

"What is the matter?"

I clenched my jaw, not willing to speak further.

He sighed, turning back to Raven. "Do a healing spell and then bring her to me."

He stood from the ground, turning away without another word. I watched him go through narrowed eyes and held my breath when Raven turned to me. She didn't move for a moment, and the sound of footsteps met my ears. I looked behind her to find a masked figure stood by the door, as though on guard.

"This may tingle," Raven murmured.

I watched her warily as she came to crouch beside me. She raised her hands above my body and closed her eyes. Inhaling deeply, her hands seemed to glow as she mumbled words under her breath. I felt a shimmering warmth encase my mind. It grew hotter and tighter, my headache intensifying to the point I whimpered and curled in on myself.

It was over before I knew it, dulling down to a gentle hum. Like waves crashing on a shore, they settled, and a smooth vibration fell upon my mind. It travelled down my neck and limbs, settling in my stomach. Consistent nausea started to settle, but I felt a large surge of energy through my abdomen.

I opened my eyes, wondering what Raven was doing. She was frozen, hovering over me with wide eyes. I counted to ten before she blinked. The warming humming gently vanished from my body as her hands retreated to her side. She licked her lips, worry etched on her face.

I frowned, observing her odd behaviour.

"All finished?" The voice at the door asked.

Raven shook her head. "One moment."

She turned to me, giving me a sad smile. Holding out her hand, I eyed it with questions. She sighed, taking my forearm and pulling me to a seated position. My head swirled ever so slightly with the motion, but I was pleased to find I no longer felt sick to my stomach and my head felt light as a feather.

"What happened?" I asked.

She sighed, dropping her gaze to her feet. "You are malnourished, and it is affecting your body."

I shook my head. "You know, that is not the answer I want."

She glanced over her shoulder, giving me a look. I knew it meant that people were listening, but I was burning with questions. I needed to have some answers.

"They are taking my blood, aren't they?" I mumbled.

She didn't answer vocally, but I picked up the slight nod of her head. My shoulders sagged. Everything I had heard through the mumbles of the future seemed to come true. The visions that I experienced had mentioned my futures, and one stood out the most. One of me being used for blood.

I shuddered involuntarily, and Raven kept her frown permanently on me.

"Whose side are you on, Raven?" I whispered.

Her jaw clenched, eyes twitching with the movement. Her lips remained glued together and, with a defeated sigh, I dropped my gaze. I knew I wouldn't get answers from her, but it was worth a try.

"Hurry it up. Master wants her down for dinner."

Raven huffed and straightened her shoulders. She held out a hand, which I took curiously this time. Standing shakily to my feet, my bones ached with exhausted creaks. She moved her grip to hold my wrist as we left my room. The masked figure studied us, brown eyes narrowing at the witch.

He grunted before following us to the same dining room as before. We stopped at the entry door and he stepped ahead to open it for us. Raven kept a sharp grip on my wrist, shooting me a stern glance just before we entered.

My eyes wandered from hers to the familiar blood-red of Master. I gulped nervously as his mouth opened in a wide grin at our arrival. He stayed seated at the head of the table, pointing to the chair beside him.

"My dear, you look much better." He mused as I sat.

I shifted my weight, casting a last look to Raven as she turned and exited the room. I fiddled with my fingers in my lap, looking back at the man before me.

"Do you feel better?"

"Much." I nodded quietly.

He beamed. "Good. I suppose you are not used to these colder mountains, living so far inland."

My brain bristled at the information. I was in the mountains still? I knew they were vast, but it surprised me I had not been found sooner. Were they even looking for me? My heart sank.

"Yes. It is cold." I agreed politely.

His grin didn't waver as he watched me. His hand raised to the masked figure that led me here, and he turned to exit through the servant door. Two moments later, servers came and placed two plates on the table, along with two glasses. I eyed the pint of water with hunger but hesitated in reaching for it. I had to be careful, and I'd go as far to assume taking it without permission, being treated like a child, would not go well.

"Dig in, dear, dig in." Master chuckled.

I didn't hesitate to take the clear glass of water. With my human senses, it smelt fine, but I was too thirsty to pass up a drink. From what little I have stored in my mind; they didn't want to hurt me too badly. I don't see them poisoning me; then they wouldn't get my blood healthy.

"I must say, you direly need a change of clothes," Master mumbled through a mouthful of chicken.

Placing my glass back down, now half empty, I looked down at the dirty, flimsy nightgown. It was thin, and only just grazed my knees. My hands and feet were constantly blue with cold and stiff to bend.

I nodded in agreement. "That would be nice."

He grinned. "Keep up this good behaviour, and it might just happen."

I chewed on my cheeks to stop the automatic grimace, bottling it all up for when I get out of here.

"So, what are you doing today?" I probed.

His eyes snapped to me from his plate. He didn't answer, picking up a chicken thigh and taking a bite. I winced as his fangs tore into the flesh. I didn't know vampires could eat normal food. Fairy tales always lead me to believe they lived on just blood. That is... if he was a vampire.

I took his silence as his answer and continued to pick at my meal. I had something decent today, almost similar to his. Chicken drumstick with baby potatoes and a small splurge of gravy. It was no roast dinner, but it did not last long on the plate.

When finished, Master was watching me with a smaller smile. He wiped at his fingers and mouth with a napkin before holding it out to me. I couldn't help but frown this time, shaking my head with decline. He glowered at me, darting forward to hold my head.

I tensed in his grip, choosing my moment to freeze. One of his hands gripped the back of my head as the other moved forward to wipe at my mouth with his napkin. I shook my head in disgust, which caused him to growl. Releasing me, he landed a sharp smack on my cheek.

"Respect, my dear, costs nothing." He growled.

I held my cool hand to the warmth of my cheek, blinding back the stinging tears in my eyes. I was pretty sure I could taste the blood on my tongue, most likely from the force of his swing.

He threw the napkin on his plate, picking up his all-familiar goblet.

"It should privilege you I am even taking care of you."

Angered by his actions, I let out a small scoff. His eyebrows raised, looking up from the blood that swirled in his hand.

"Something funny?"

Gritting my teeth, I shook my head. He drank from his glass, and I watched as his eyes darkened.

"Good." He snapped. "Keep it that way."

This guy had more mood swings than Phoenix and Molly combined.

"For your information, you are going to spend the day with me." He cleared his throat. "I was going to get you nicely dressed, but with your behaviour..."

I frowned at him, wondering what he was talking about. He finished his glass with the last gulp and closed his eyes. Placing it back on the table, he licked the remaining redness from his lips. Opening his now light eyes, he sneered at me.

He stood and gestured for me to follow. I took one last drink of my water before standing a meter away from him. He sighed, looking down at me in disappointment.

He stepped closer, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders. My eyes widened at his closeness, but I kept still to sate him. One hand trailed up my neck, to gently slide across my cheek.

"So beautiful." He commented, fingers tickling my skin. "The blood rushing to the surface. Almost makes me want to do it again."

I flinched at his laughter. His hand moved from gently touching me to lifting my chin. My head was tilted upwards so that I was looking at the ceiling, and his fingers tightened their grip on my chin. He grumbled, and I was wondering why until his other hand scratched at Phoenix's mark. I cried out as the feeling of his touch sent a wave of pain through my body.

"I thought this would be gone by now." He grunted.

He released my body with a shove and I stumbled slightly, my hand moving to cover my mark. Once it was out of his sight, his light eyes darted to my face. His nose twitched; his face agitated.

"G-gone?" I stammered.

His face still set in a grimace, he nodded. "Your wolf. I had spelled, as you know, and with it, your ties have gone. Your wolf is subdued, unconscious for as long as the spell is in place. That means you have no connection to your mate or pack."

So that is why he is confused about my mark...

"If it wasn't for your delicious-looking neck, I would have it covered with a scarf." He spat humourlessly. "Come. Before I change my mind about you being unchained and clothed."

Eyes widening at the thought of being nude, I hurried along behind him as he turned away. This man was not one to bluff, I learned, and I did not fancy being naked in such a chilly place. I stayed a couple of steps behind him as he left the dining room, the masked figure bowing at us.

"Come, little one." He grunted, turning another corner. "I have a meeting to attend."

"A m-meeting? Why d-do you need me there?" I wondered.

"You are my prize, remember." He grinned, coming to a stop behind a large, dark wood door. "I need to show off the goods."

******
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