Prologue
The lights on the ceiling flickered and made clicking noises. The sound of voices from the hallway filled my ears.
Throwing my legs over the bedside I struggle to get up. My body felt sore and my muscles ached.
Letting my sore feet hit the cold, white tile, floors I shiver. Apparently nobody around here has heard of heat.
Walking over to my closet I pull it open and look around at the different clothes I punch in my numbers. 12.
Everyone here had numbers to their rooms. It's what kept us all in order.
If you didn't have a number you couldn't get a room. You couldn't get food, water, clothes, or shelter here in the Akranes.
The only safe place in this dark world.
I was raised in the Akranes by my father. The founder of this place.
It's an underground Safe Haven of sorts. To survive the Supernatural beings up top.
My father, Aspen Kane, built this place with his own two hands. My mom, who's name I can't seem to remember, helped him.
It started out as a project. They called it Project Safe Haven. It was a joke really.
Until Scientists found ancient ruins underground. My mother was a part of their expedition.
I can still hear the excitement in her voice over the phone. Telling us it was their most incredible find yet.
All I can remember hearing is screaming. Lots of bloodcurdling screams.
My father and I were too stunned to realize what was happening. Until the screams stopped. And then growling and laughter could be heard before the line went dead.
Not even hours later did we realize what happened. Hell broke loose.
My father put me down in Akranes and told me to stay quiet. That he was gonna go find survivers.
Being eight years old it was hard to understand why he was leaving me to find others.
Now I understand perfectly.
The small, metal, underground living space they built now holds over one hundred people.
There were no old, disabled, or sick people here. Although we did have medication for the ones who were called The Higher-ups.
My father being the first one. Tink, father's Second in Command being the second Higher-up.
Buddy was the third, Sophia was the fourth, and Reigner is fifth.
Tink, being the Second in Command, didn't leave the safety of Akranes. He stayed down here and made sure everything ran smoothly.
Buddy went out everyday to find medicine and extra nonperishable foods and toiletries for the women.
Sophia took care of the children. Whether that be babies or kids three to six. She made sure they had baths, food in their stomachs, teeth brushed, and in bed by a certain time.
She also made sure they each had certain skills.
The boys started learning how to fire guns at the age of five. They learned how to fight as well.
The girls learned how to cook, clean, and tend to wounds at the age of seven.
Fighting wasn't an option for them. They tended to the children and gave birth to them.
There wasn't a way out of that.
It's what kept things running smoothly around the Akranes.
New children were born and the old people were pushed to the surface.
Whoever got sick was immediately thrown to the surface. And each and every one of us were given shots to keep whatever illness they had at bay.
Being the Founders daughter kept the rules from including me. He apparently didn't like the idea of a man getting me pregnant.
Neither did I. Besides, I was only eighteen. I was nowhere near ready for a child.
And the thought of someone else raising my child was heartbreaking.
Because once a woman gave birth a certain amount of times they were thrown to the surface. They were seen unfit to birth anymore children due to their steadily rising ages.
Letting out a long sigh I put on some tactical pants, a grey pullover cardigan, grey knitted gloves, and combat boots.
The warmth of the clothes seeped into my skin. Making me warm.
Walking over to my door I punch in the same numbers and it slides open.
The dimly lit hallway looked deserted, but I knew it wasn't. Turning left down the hall I walk until I come to a set of metal doors.
This room was only accessible to the Higher-ups. But me being the Founders daughter I have access to it.
Punching in my father's single digit number it slides open. When I'm fully inside it slides shut. Revealing the meeting room.
The meeting room was where my dad made all the rules. Where he gave each of the Higher-ups direct orders they had to fullfil.
But the room was empty. They were usually here around this time going over shit.
Walking over to the bookshelf I scan the books. I've read them all seven times over. They never got old since I didn't have anything else to do with my free time.
Seeing a new book upon the shelf I smile. There hasn't been a new book in years.
Grabbing it, I pull it forwards but it only made a cracking noise. Seeing that the book was hollow my brows furrow.
It was a little strange.
Why would my dad have a hollow book on his shelf.
Letting it go I look at my fingers.
The dusty feeling of old paint made my fingers feel weird.
But then the sound of something cranking filled my ears. Looking up I see the book moving back to it's original spot on the shelf.
The entire bookshelf popped out and I jumped back a little. I didn't know what I found but it was obviously hidden for a reason.
I stood there looking at the opening the bookshelf made. I stood there fighting with myself.
If I should open it or close it and leave.
I obviously wasn't supposed to find this. So, now that I have, I should close it. Leave and never speak a word of this.
But if I leave now, walk away without finding what's inside, then it would keep me up at night.
Haunt me every night.
Knowing I walked away from this would drive me crazy. Literally.
Grabbing the bookshelf I pull it open.
Seeing a set of wooden steps leading downwards I gulp and start my way down.
With every step there was a creak.
And with every creak I began to regret my decision.
But I had already started downwards. There was no stopping now or I'd be a coward.
Nobody else would know but me. And I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing I chickened out of something like this.
When I reach the last set of stairs, reaching a door, I push it open.
The dimly lit room looked normal. Besides the cells that held different bodies.
Walking up to one of the cells I stare at the body laying on the floor.
They were wearing nothing but a pair of underwear and a piece of cloth covering their breasts.
Were they dead?
They didn't look to be breathing.
Grabbing the lock on the cell I shake it out of instinct. The sound of moaning made me look up at the unmoving body.
The body moved and looked at me. Her eyes widened and she scrambled to her knees.
"Help me," she says quietly. Her voice wavered with obvious fear.
Scars and bruises covered her body.
I went to answer her but I saw a file next to the cell.
Grabbing it and flipping it open I see the word Warlock.
Looking back at the girl I take a step back.
She didn't look like a Warlock, but I didn't know what they looked like.
I just read about them. How they're magic is beyond dangerous.
They can put anyone to sleep, set things on fire, and kill anyone with a single word.
So why was she in here? Where she could literally kill any of us.
This was beyond dangerous!
Setting the file back I back away from the girl. The look on her face screams 'why' as she lunges forward, grabbing onto the bars of the cell.
"Please," she begs loudly. The other bodies around me in different cells start to move. "Help me. I'll give you anything you want!"
I wanted to help her. Badly. But if I did so then she'd give our position away. She'd know where to strike us down.
She'd kill us all.
When I shake my head and back away further she snarls at me.
Her green eyes flash to a light blue. The action is mesmerizing, but then the chains around her wrists tighten and she screams in horror and pain.
When her body collapsed to the ground I covered my mouth with my hands and tried to calm my breathing.
Was she alive? Why did I care?
She was a Supernatural being. I shouldn't care what happens to her.
Yet I found myself rushing to her cell, reaching inside, and pushing my fingers under her nose.
Feeling her hot breath hit my fingers made me relax. She was alive.
"Curious thing aren't you?"
The sound of a new voice had me swinging my head around.
A man with dark red eyes looked at me. He was leaning against the cell. Staring at me.
He looked normal besides the black and gold shadowing around his eyes. The small black horns on his head had golden tips.
I knew I shouldn't get close to him, but my body moved on it's on accord. Seeing the red line on the floor I stop infront of it.
Not wanting to get closer. Afraid he'll reach out and grab me. Possibly take my soul.
"I could still grab you if I wanted too," I step back in fear but he laughs. "But then I'll only end up like that girl over there."
Looking back at her I see her sleeping silently.
"What happened to her," I say looking back at him.
"Don't you already know?"
I shake my head and he sits up, placing an arm on his knees. His eyes gaze up at me in curiosity and amusement.
"Sit down and I'll consider telling you."
Hesitantly I say, "if I sit down will I be allowed to ask you questions?"
A dark brow raises and a smirk falls onto his gold tinted lips.
I didn't think it was a crime to ask that. I had questions and he had the answers. Hopefully.
Even if he said no I could always come back down here someday to have them answered.
Maybe. If I wasn't caught beforehand.
"I'll consider it."
As the words left his mouth a wide smile fell upon my lips. And I may have sat down a little too excitedly.
"See these chains," he says as he holds his wrists up. I nod and he continues. "Needles are embedded into them. And if we even try to kill you, or in her case put a spell on you, it'll inject a serum into our bodies."
"Why did she react the way she did?"
He shrugs and I just blankly stare at him.
"Oh come on! I know you know."
"I do, but the real question is why don't you?"
Okay so he got me there.
Shrugging he lets out a chuckle. His eyes began to turn golden around the pupil.
"What's up with your eyes? Why do they do that?"
His laughter dies down and he looks at me with caution.
The intensity of the look has me squirming around.
"Now that's a question I can answer, mortal."
"Mortal," I say under my breath. I didn't understand why he had called me that.
It sounded absolutely ridiculous.
"Yes. Mortal. You're human. Mortal. Both mean the same thing."
"Then what are you?"
He smiles, leans in, and whispers, "a Succubus."
"A Succubus? What's that?"
He holds his hand out and checks his dark, sharp, nails.
"A type of Demon. Also the reason why my eyes turn golden sometimes."
"What's the reason?"
"Ah," he says with a smirk. "You have so many questions, mortal. I have a few," he says innocently. "How about it? Let me ask a few?"
What could be the harm?
They were only questions after all.
What could go wrong?
"Okay," I say cautiously.
He leans against the bars and tilts his head to the side like a confused puppy.
"What's your name?"
"Oh," I say cheerily. "My name is-"
Looking at him I slightly narrowed my eyes.
His brow raised and a sly smile formed on his lips.
"What's the matter," he says innocently. "I'm sure you don't want me calling you mortal forever."
"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
"Silas. Your name?"
As I was about to answer him a hand grabbed onto my arm. Pulling me to my feet.
From the corner of my eyes I saw Silas shrink back further into the cell. His eyes went back to their normal dark red.
Looking at the face of my attacker I have the sudden urge to shrink back as well.
My father didn't look too happy. He looked beyond pissed.
His eyes shot towards Silas. A threatening glare was sent to him before he shook me silly.
"What the fuck are you doing down here?"
He practically spat the sentence at me.
His hold on my arm made me wince as he started dragging me towards the stairs.
I didn't want to leave yet.
But before I could say anything I was being dragged up the stairs and into the meeting room.
All the Higher-ups we're standing there with disappointed looks on their faces.
My dad pushed me forward and I rammed into the table. Looking back at him with confusion and hurt I couldn't believe he shoved me like that.
He's never done something like that before.
Buddy steps up and rubs my back soothingly.
"Did you have to push her like that?"
My dad scoffs and tears prick my eyes.
I know I wasn't supposed to be down there but what was I supposed to do? Not go down there?
Probably.
But curiosity got the best of me. I could not not go down there. Because I'd either go down there sooner or later.
And I picked sooner than later.
"She shouldn't have been down there!" When his attention was directed at me my eyes widened. "How did you even find it."
Shakily pointing to the bookshelf I try to keep the tears at bay.
"I thought you put a new book out for me. But when the entire bookshelf popped open I didn't know what to do. It was new and I knew I shouldn't explore it, but I just couldn't help myself. I'm sorry, dad."
I hesitantly look up and see him run his hand down his face.
"Kane, she made a mistake. Give her a break. We've all been there."
Looking up at Reigner I give him a small smile of thanks.
He gives me a curt nod and I look at my dad as he says, "leave us to talk alone."
At first I thought he was talking to me. I thought he wanted to talk to the others about me in private.
But when the rest of the Higher-ups started leaving I felt my stomach drop even more.
He was gonna talk to me. All alone.
I've never been scared of my dad, but I was terrified of him right now.
He's never been this angry at me and I didn't know how he was gonna react now. He was physical a few minutes ago.
Watching Reigner walk out the door I see him look back at me.
I silently beg him to stay with me but he closes the door behind him.
"What were you and that Demon talking about?"
Looking up at him I shrug a little. I didn't see why it mattered. From what Silas told me they can't do anything to me due to the chains.
My being down there for a few seconds won't hurt anything, right?
Yet I did consider letting that Warlock go because I pitied her. But I didn't because I came to my senses.
"Just talking," I say quietly.
"About?"
When I don't answer him immediately he says, "come on Mya this is serious. About what?"
"Nothing serious I promise," I say on a huff. "Just about his species and the chains and serum and stuff."
He started pacing the floor and mumbling.
"Did he tell you his name?"
"What?"
Did he hear that part of the conversation? What will he do with that kind of knowledge?
I was a little scared to tell him the truth now. I didn't know why he had them down there but it couldn't be good.
Especially with the serum being injected into their bodies. And the visible pain the Warlock went through.
It was horrifying.
Inhumane, cruel, and unusual. Even for the Supernatural.
Even if they killed humans for fun like the books said.
"I didn't hear the whole conversation but you were about to tell him yours. Did he tell you his?"
I just stared at him.
Why was this so important to him? Why did he need Silas' name so badly?
Dad's face scrunched up and his fist pounded into the wooden table.
I flinched and stared at him.
"I need you to answer me, Mya! This is extremely important for our research. If we know his name then we can possibly destroy him. End his entire existence."
"Uma. His name is Uma," I lied.
I lied to my dad.
I've never done that before.
What if he finds out?
But this is research. They don't exactly know if it'll work or not. So if it doesn't work then they'll write it's not accurate in the books.
My entire being was screaming for me to tell the truth, but I just couldn't handle the thought of knowing I killed someone.
So I kept a straight face. Not giving my lie away.
And he believed me.
Brought the others back in and went down to the cells.
I didn't know what they were doing. I sat in my dad's chair and waited for them to come back up.
When they did they looked tired and discouraged. That was my fault, but I couldn't tell them my lie.
I had to keep that to myself. It was my lie to keep secret.
My dad walks over to me and pats me on the head. I flinch at his touch but he doesn't seem to notice.
The faraway look in his eye giving him away. He was disappointed and discouraged as well.
The need to feel bad crept up on me but I pushed it down. I couldn't allow myself to feel bad.
"Thank you, Mya, but it didn't work. We'll need you to talk to them everyday. Get to know them. Find their deepest darkest secrets. Their names, where they lived, anything that'll be beneficial to us. Okay?"
So they were gonna use me.
Seemed about right.
I sneak into a place I wasn't allowed and now I'm being put to work.
"Okay."
