Chapter 1
When life is too hard and there are knives in your back everywhere you turn, when you’re drowning but can’t scream, and death greets you with an open embrace, you will turn to the darkness and reject the light. It will find you there.
Chapter 1
He smacked me, the sound echoing off the walls. I stumbled back, my face feeling like I’d been hit by a brick wall with a debt to settle.
His voice was rough in a way that made my ears hurt. He yelled, “Holland: what did you say to me, girl?”
“Raven: yes, master.”
He nodded. “That’s good, lovely.”I stepped away from him, keeping my eyes fixed on the floor.
Holland backed off. “I will be back in thirty minutes to come get you for dinner.
You better be cleaned up by then.” Then he walked out of the room, slamming the door and locking it behind him.
I slumped back, my face still hurting. I walked over to the water bucket on the floor, drank some, and splashed some on my face. I looked around the room.
The walls were made of gray stones, and so were the floors — and yes, so was the roof, because why would we do anything else?
I went back over to the wall and leaned against it for support, the pain starting to subside.
I have been here for five months, ever since my father sold me to Holland so he could make a deal, with me being his gift to that man.I looked down at my hands, light olive in color, with fresh cuts running down them.
I needed to get up and clean myself off. Holland would be back soon, and he would not be happy to see that I didn’t look perfect.
I got up, dusting myself off, and went to a wooden box sitting on the bed — the same box Holland and I had gotten into a fight over.
I opened it and saw a dark purple silk dress. I pulled it out, looking at the designs.The dress had little bits of gold throughout the fabric, getting more and more the farther down it went until they flowed at the bottom like stars. It was beautiful.
I absolutely hated it, but I still put the dress on. The soft fabric fit me like a glove. I walked over to the mirror. It was stunning.The dark purple matched perfectly with my lighter olive skin, making my complexion almost bronze-gold.
My eyes, with the dress, looked dark violet with golden flecks.
My hair — sandy golden blonde — curled around like little snakes. I stared at myself, not recognizing the girl there.
The sound of the door unlocking made me turn around. Holland was standing there wearing a fitted gray suit that made him look rich and important.
His hair was brown but turning grayer each day, and his eyes were dark with a hint of need when he looked at me — a look that made my skin crawl.“Raven: hello, master.”
He smiled that awful smile.
“Holland: come now, time to eat.”
We walked up the staircase into a massive living area with marble floors and light gray walls.
My bare feet were warm against the cold marble. Holland noticed but didn’t seem to care. He kept looking at me, making me very uncomfortable.
We walked into the main dining area with a long table that could seat at least fifteen.
It was dark walnut with golden plates all around.
Holland brought me to the very end, so I sat on his left and he sat at the head. It was only me and him sitting down.
The maids walked around, bringing the food and setting the dishes down. They grabbed some food and put it on my plate, then on his.
He waved them away, took a bite of his food, and then looked at me.
“Holland: well? Eat.”
I nodded and started to eat. It was chicken with potatoes and lemon. I had to admit it was very good, but I was never going to say that out loud.
Holland grabbed my hand. I tried to pull back, but he held me tightly.“
Holland: my lovely, I am going to have you do something for me.” His eyes went soft, trying to sound kind and sweet, but there was too much poison in his voice for it to ever be kind.“
Raven: let me go, you bastard!”
His eyes went dark, but he was trying to stay calm. “Don’t be like that, my love. I want you to do something very special for me.”
Raven: "what would that be?”
“Holland: I want you to bring something very important to me.”
“Raven: that still doesn’t explain anything.”
Holland’s eyes turned hungry. “The thing I want you to bring me is a shapeshifter. Just one little shapeshifter. I think you can do that for me, can’t you?”
I scowled. “Everything is just ‘little’ with you. I’m not a dog to go and bring you things — and bring a person? No. Hell no. That’s so messed up. You’re a monster who plays with people like they’re things!”
His face turned red and his voice got louder. “This is not a choice. I’m telling you: you’re going to bring me this shifter. I don’t care if you don’t want to!”
He grabbed my arm, putting his face too close, spit hitting my cheek. “You’re my property. You’re worthless. I’m your owner and your master. You’re bound to me and my word.”
He smiled, his voice going calm again. “It would be good for you to learn your place. But I will make a deal with you, my lovely. If you get this shapeshifter and bring him to me, I will let you go from your deal and release you from me.”
My eyes went wide. I was shocked.
“Raven: you will let me go if I bring you this shapeshifter?!”
“Holland: yes, my love, I will. But there are a few tiny conditions.”
“First: you can’t just bring him. You have to build trust and make him fall for you.
Second: you cannot let anyone know about our deal.
Third: you will not try to leave before our deal is done.”He leaned back.
“So… what is your choice?”
