The room was dead quiet. The heat was sweltering even at night. Beads of sweat started to swell against her skin. Her heart was racing as she stood across from him. His frame is large and imposing. The silence was killing, but then he spoke.

"I could protect you, you know... if you allowed me. They all are afraid of me here. They will listen to anything I tell them , isn't that right?" he questioned out loud. Without a delay they answered their voices synched in harmony.

"Yes, Mayor." The towns people agreed

"Shouldn't I be as well?" Corania asked.

He smiled a sweet smile. One that spoke of hidden messages. A Message she couldn't decipher. She didn't know if it was good or bad for her.

"Everyone's a little afraid of the dark, aren't they, but soon people learn to live with their fears, besides I would never hurt you."

He's eyes never left her. They pierced her deep, and she tried to look away, she didn't like the feeling of feeling like someone was analyzing her soul.

His hand shot up and cupped her chin from across the table.

"Come on love, I can give you anything... anything your heart desires."

"Corania! Don't let that monster touch you, he's messing with your head." Grant screamed from the side of the room. She could hear the panic in his voice. He feared that she would be swayed by his honey coated lies.

Roselyn hissed in his ear and pulled his arms closer behind his back. Yanking so hard she could hear the 'pop' as his shoulder dislocated from their sockets.

Corania shifted on her feet as she tried to stop herself from running towards Grant who cried out in pain. Corania truly feared that that they would torture him until she did what Clay wanted.

Looking over at Grant she tried to gage his reaction. Did he want to take the chance of fighting?

Corania sure didn't want to take the chance. When it was clear that these people were willing to hurt them. They were able to get Alice to become a murderer.

She had killed Jace so easily. The person they had spent four years eating pizza and hanging out with. And now she stood across the room with blood lust clear in her eyes. Blood smeared around her lips, blue hair wild and fierce.

"So what is it going to be Corania? The easy way or the hard way?" Clay asked.

"Let Grant go and I'll come willingly." she was surprised her voice didn't shake.

"I don't think so, but since you're being reasonable I'll reward you and give him medical attention, doesn't that sound fair little one?" Clay said while stepping around the table. She stepped back and planted her feet.

"Just because I said I'll come that doesn't mean you can touch me." she said her fist balled tightly in a fist. Her eyes set hard. She wouldn't be manipulated and she wouldn't show her fear.

He just smirked and headed towards the door.

"You'll soon be begging me to touch you darling, soon."

Exiting the inn they walked across the grounds towards his Mansion that was behind the town hall going up a small hill. Behind his house was a wooded area. Dust creates a fog, the heat making her sweat, and allowing her to be misted in a film of grime.

She was walking besides Clay as he droned on about what a good time they were going to have and that he knew she would come willingly. That they were meant for each other. Corania paid little attention as she focused on thinking of a plan of escape. She just needed a little more time.

She wouldn't leave this place without Grant and when they were free she would rain fire down on this hole in the wall town. She watched as Grant was forced in the house, being shoved roughly into the house. He groaned in pain but kept moving. His eyes connecting with hers and his mouth moved quickly and silently,'I love you' before she could say anything back he was pushed out of sight into the house. Corania knew he meant it and her heart clenched at the realization that she had had someone besides her mother that truly loved her. That truly cared for her, that was willing to risk it all. And that realization as late as it came to her hurt more than the unknown future that stood in front of her.

Clay reached the front door and held it open. Holding the door open he stood slanted so she would have to walk past him.

Clenching her first she frowned as she stepped inside, her left side brushing against his broad chest.

Looking over her shoulder as she realized that she wasn't being followed. Clay stood frozen by the door as his eyes were closed and his mouth was pulled tight. What was his issue now?

Before she could think of a response he flashed in front of her. His eyes dark and filled with something hot and raw. It was dangerous and Corania was right in his path.

Her heart hammered against her chest. She was the prey and her instinct told her to run. Her legs stiffened todo so but he stopped her.

"I wouldn't try it if I were you. Stay still and breath in and out." he said his eyes stuck on her face.

Taking a breath she did as she was instructed. But she didn't relax, she couldn't. Her shoulders were rigid, if he made one false move she would run.

He looked like he was holding back. His hand was itching to touch hers. Corania prayed that he didn't touch her.

"your heat is magnificent. Just a brush against me drives me wild," he smirked

"It's going to be an interesting test, let's see if my years have helped my patience."

Clay walked towards her and smiled.

"Let me show you to your room, it's getting late. And I know you're tired. Such a stressful day you've had darling." He sympathized.

Corania wanted to punch him in his face. She didn't appreciate him acting like he gave a shit. Rolling her eyes at his back she walked slowly behind. Not wanting to repeat the same incident at the door.

"Here we are darling." He said while holding the large maghony door open. Inside the room was a large four post bed that had black drapes along the bedpost. The walls were painted a dark grey with white accents on the borders. There was a small desk and lamp. To the corner, she suspected, led to a bathroom.

"I'll allow you to spend tonight alone. But for the rest of our lives we'll be spending it together." He said while smiling. His eyes looked glazed.

Corania didn't respond, what was she to say?

"If you need anything, just call out and I'll come."

She just nodded, corania wanted him to leave. So she could have her mental breakdown in peace. Standing in front of the bed she waited for him to shut the door. When she heard the lock click she took a deep breath and slid down to the floor. Her eyes were already moist with tears. Biting her lip she looked around the room. Her mind was sluggish, she was exhausted.

Dragging herself to her feet she walked over to the bathroom and turned on the water. Splashing water on her face she stared at her reflection. She needed to make a plan, she needed to help grant. She wouldn't leave here without him.

Corania couldn't help that she also wanted to hurt Alice. She had betrayed them and corania would make sure she got her's.

Since it was night time corania knew she couldn't do anything at the moment. All she could do was rest and save her strength. When it was morning she would make her move. She assumed that Grant was in the basement and would make her way down there and hopefully they could take their car and never look back. Staring up at the ceiling, she felt her heart clench at the memory of Jace. Closing her eyes she could only see his eyes. The blankness and emptiness of them. He was gone, he was dead.

She couldn't believe it. Yes Jace was a jerk sometimes, but he didn't deserve to die. And not by the hands of someone he considered a friend. Alice was a monster, she was just like the others. Corania also couldn't help but feel the loss of a friend. To have someone so close to her ripped away. She felt like at the moment she had nothing, that her life was crumbling. especially since she sat in the room all alone.

Corania had seen Alice like a sister, someone she could depend on. And now she knew that every secret she shared with her would be shared and used to expose her. Clay would ensure that she stayed here and that she submitted, her life was over. If she failed to save Grant and escape she was doomed.

Would he rape her? Would he tear her down until she believed that she wanted him to take her innocence? Corania didn't doubt that he would. He had little to no control and he was stronger and faster than her. He probably had experience with kidnapping women and making them just shells of themselves.

Corania refused to become that, she couldn't... she wouldn't.

Shutting her eyes she fell into a restless sleep. 

Author Notes :  Were in the mix of the drama now! What do you think is going to happen next? vote and comment!