Zara’s POV
The sound of water continuously dripping nearby yanked me awake, and a low groan escaped my lips. My tongue felt thick and swollen in my mouth, and my lips were dry and cracked.
I had no idea where I was, how long I had been unconscious, or what time of day it was. Neither did I have any idea what had happened to me.
There was only one thing I was sure about-I had this uncontrollable pounding feeling inside my mind, and it was driving me nuts.
“F*ck!” The word slurred as it escaped my raw and raspy throat. My voice sounds foreign to my ears. It sounded dry and tired. It sounded nothing like me.
Was I drugged?
How did it happen?
Who would do such a thing?
I tilted my head back and prayed for the pounding to stop. I couldn’t think clearly with all the noise inside my head.
However, it didn’t.
It must be the toxic dose they gave me. It was negatively impacting my mental and physical state.
I took a deep breath and tried to drag my heavy eyelids open, but my sight was restricted by a disgusting blindfold keeping my eyes shut. A low moan escaped my lips as I moved my heavy hand to my pounding head to remove the blindfold, and I winced and whimpered in fear when I was unable to reach-my hands were tied above my head-my fingers turning numb and cold.
My heartbeat escalated as horror and worry filled my mind. Indescribable fear filled my veins.
Who would want me to lose my sight? Was it him? Did he find me and take me prisoner?
“Oh, Goddess!” I whispered helplessly.
I yanked on the rope that held me captive, attempting to break free from its grip. My movements were sloppy, disorienting, and weak.
Warm tears built up behind my eyelids, spilling over and dampening the moldy blindfold.
“Think Zara, think!” I growled at myself. “There must be a way to get yourself out of this.”
I took a moment, thinking that if I could shift my legs over the bed, I might be able to stand and free myself.
I carefully shift my body to the edge of the bed, but a painful hiss escapes my lips-the rope tears through my tender skin, tightening around my wrists and ankles.
I stopped moving and bit down on my teeth, the excruciating pain waving through my body, the poison seeking its way into my bloodstream.
“Wolfsbane!” I growled angrily. “Who would sink so low to soak ropes in wolfsbane? Were they out to torture me? Why not just kill me…?”
I shifted myself back into the same position, careful not to have the ropes rub against my already broken skin.
My mind raced, trying to recall what had happened to me.
Different memories flashed before my eyes, yet none could explain how I ended up here.
What was I busy doing?
Did I leave to go somewhere?
The more I pondered over my activities of said day, the more the sound of dripping water cut through my mind-it was as if the water was taunting me-laughing at my misery.
I thought harder, searching my mind. It was only then that I realized Kaya was missing.
Where has she gone?
I called her, but I didn’t receive any response.
“What could make your wolf vanish from your mind?” I muttered, feeling alone and cold. “Did she leave me?”
I ignored the cold feeling forming around my heart. Kaya would never leave me; she was part of me.
The pounding in my head increased.
Was that Kaya who was trying to escape? Was there a magical hold on her?
“Kaya,” I whispered. “If you can hear me, tap once.”
For a moment, I felt silly. The drugs I received must be the cause of the pounding in my head. However, as if on cue, a softer pounding sound echoed in my mind.
A shiver of happiness and excitement filled my body. I wasn’t there alone.
“Did they do this to you?” I asked, not that I was sure who ‘they’ were.
Yet again, the same softer pounding sound filled my mind.
I was now certain it was Kaya who was creating the unbearable headache. She was trying to escape her prison world.
“Is it magic?” I asked. “Is there a way to break the spell?”
Images suddenly filled my head. Luke was holding a silver dress, and I gladly accepted it.
“Is the dress enchanted?” I asked, memories flooding in like waves.
I gasped. My body is going limp from shock. I remember taking the dress from Luke. I remembered it was his mother’s dress. We were on our way to the ball when Levi called. The look on Luke’s face flashed before my eyes.
A single tap filled my head.
“Do you believe Luke is involved?”
Luke’s face flashed before my eyes, and my heart pinched in my chest. Luke has always been kind to me; why would he suddenly betray me?
Kaya stayed silent.
“You are not sure of him?” I carefully asked.
Kaya taped once.
“And Luna Mary?”
Kaya stayed silent. I guess she suspected Luna Mary was being involved but didn’t have the proof.
“Do you remember what happened?” I asked.
One tap.
“Can you show me the memories?” I asked.
One tap, followed by memories that flashed before my eyes.
***Flashback***
I handed Luke his phone, my hand trembling.
“What’s going on?” He asked, looking at me suspiciously.
“There was an attack,” I mumbled, my voice quivering.
“Where?” Luke asked and narrowed his eyes. “At the ball?”
“Seems so,” I replied.
“Did anyone suffer any injuries?” He asked, taking my hand supportively.
“I… I am not sure,” I replied. “Levi didn’t give details.”
“Would you like to….” The driver applied the brakes, interrupting Luke’s thoughts. The car slid to a sudden stop.
“What is going on?” Luke yelled at the driver angrily.
“We have company, Alpha,” the driver replied, his voice low out of fear.
I shifted my gaze out the window. A group of twenty-plus wolves was blocking the road. Their red eyes sparkled in the darkness.
“Drive!” Luke ordered. “Don’t stop!”
The driver accelerated, swiftly navigating through the group of rogues. Just as we thought we were safe, a car pulled in next to us and forced us off the road and down the cliff.
The car rolled down the steep cliff, coming to a sudden halt at the bottom of the cliff.
I moaned, the side of my head bleeding. I must have bumped my head.
Disoriented, I managed to break free from the seatbelt and fell onto my knees and hands. The window glass cutting into my palms and knees.
“Luke!” I called, shaking his shoulder lightly. “Are you okay?”
No answer.
I placed my fingers on his neck, feeling for a pulse.
“He is still alive!” I let out a relieved breath and started fiddling with the seat belt.
A black SUV suddenly stopped next to the wreck. The car doors opened, and heavy footsteps approached.
“Help, he’s hurt?” I called out in terror.
The passenger door was yanked out of the hinges and thrown aside, and strong hands grabbed my leg and pulled me out.
Before I could register what was happening, I felt a prick on my neck, and everything went black.
***End of Flashback***
Heavy footsteps followed by much lighter ones bounced against the outside walls, forcing the memory from my mind.
Was I in some kind of underground tunnel?
I turned my head in the direction of the sound of the footsteps, hoping for some kind of miracle.
Did they come to find me?
Will I be safe?
I flinched as the old iron door screamed and struggled on its hinges, indicating years of non-use. The smell of mold and dust washed in, mixed with a soft, flowery scent.
“I see you are awake,” a female’s voice chimed in my ears, sending a wave of unwanted shivers down my spine and raising the hairs on my arms.
I swallowed hard.
“Who… who are you?” I stuttered nervously.
A cold, high-pitched laugh bounced from the walls when the blindfold was yanked from my face.
****