Part 1

She had no idea how long she had been here, days weeks maybe months but it no longer mattered. Her will broken it was only a matter of time before her mind went also, the cries and screams of the others no longer sent chills down her spine, no longer made her quake with fear in fact she wanted death, welcomed it. No longer ashamed of her nakedness her body cried out for food, water but ultimatly release. Shifting position she winced at the pain that ran through her limbs, no longer had she the strength to cry out.                     

Why had she not taken a cab that night, refused her friends offer of a lift, it was too late for regrets now.

Kneeling in this damp, rank smelling cell she had found out what they were, things from stories, creatures that were only heard of in films, in nightmares but here, wherever here was, they existed. Dragging her from her cell they had taken her to a large room where acting like a pack of ravenous wolves they tore at her clothes then took turns raping and feeding of her. She had cried, screamed and begged then finally she had prayed, her murmurs to god drowned out by the grunts of those monsters.

No longer capable of staying awake she slipped in and out of consciousness at least there in her dark mind she knew nothing, felt nothing.

Her eyelids fluttered at the sound of footsteps, of voices. The key turned in the lock and the door opened. Two men stepped into the gloomy cell. One of the men knelt in front of her. Lifting her face he studied her closely, she tried to focus.

“I’ll take this one”

Zarina woke to find herself in a different room, the bed was soft and warm, a fire crackled in the grate and she had been dressed in a nightie. Where was she? Sliding from the covers she padded across to the window and looked out, the land was barren nothing but dust and dead trees, she was certainly not in Maine. Hearing the door she turned and froze in fear.

The man stepped forward and bowed “I trust you are feeling better” Zarina couldn’t answer her mouth locked in horror as she stared at him. Placing a tray on her bed he smiled and stepped forward.

“You are looking better” Seeing the terror on her face he stopped, Zarina looked at him. “What is your name?” She stared at the pale skin, the red eyes, dear god please! He took a step forward his voice lowered “Will you tell me your name?” Her mind flashed back to her prison. “What are you called in the mortal world?” She looked at the tray, mortal world? “Zarina, my name is Zarina Bishop” Something crossed the man’s face, recognition? “I am Cailean and you are now a guest of the Vaxur province” Bowing the man left. 

She looked at the food on the tray, God she was starving. Picking up some bread she sniffed it then hungrily took a bite. A little while later an old woman entered with some hot water and left it on the dresser, smiling as she left. Confused she lifted the sponge from the bowl and washed her face, she would have preferred a bubble bath, a long soak surrounded by her favourite candles. Staring at the mirror she studied her once flawless skin, now a mass of scars and bites, she was ugly, unable to look anymore she slipped back into her night dress.  

Entering Cailean watched as the colour drained from her face, understandable under the circumstances “You are safe now” Zarina stared at him, could she run, where? Fight? Cailean chuckled “There is nowhere to run and I doubt you could go against me, please sit” Taking the edge of the bed she wished she was home. “You are in the Jajij realm” seeing the look on her face he explained briefly. Zarina listened, tried to take in what he was saying but it sounded so incredulous. “I am afraid you, err, how shall I put this, ran into some trouble” She almost laughed, ran into was not how she put it.

“Why me” she murmured. Cailean shook his head with sorrow “You where in the wrong place at the wrong time, that is all” Damn Drayad and damn Vorel, now was not the time to explain, he changed the subject “What do you do in the mortal world” Her mind drifted to her home, her life, she should be sitting an exam…… “I study medicine, to be a doctor” Cailean looked at her in surprise “A doctor?” By Orean, was she sent….? “I will leave you for now, rest”

Lykaios turned to him in dismay “A doctor!” Cailean leaned forward “Not quite a doctor, student but…….” Lykaios nodded “She could help” Since the illness had first appeared it had been slowly creeping across the land infecting all that came into contact with it including Vampires. In fear the Drayad province refused to feed and now entered the mortal world to sate their hunger hence the reason the girl was here. Cailean’s visit to Drayad had not gone well but out of politeness Vorel, its Helmer had offered him the pick of his prisoners.

Seeing the girl Cailean had felt something from her, something that shouldn’t have been there. Standing he stretched and with Lykaios falling into step they made their way to their room to wait for sundown.

                                                          ………………………………

The scenery was beautiful, lush green grass ran down a hill and at the bottom was a creak its water gurgling as it passed over rocks. The flowers held their heads high basking in the suns warmth, enjoying the summer rays. A deer stood at the edge then drank quickly before taking off into the forest. Lykaios squinted in the sunlight.......

                                                                               Part 2