Aurora's POV
My chest still felt tight from the shadow which was still coming towards my room.
The room was quiet…too quiet that if a pin was dropped it could be heard. I forced myself to whisper, "Who's there?"
But no answer came…then soft footsteps echoed.
A figure stepped out of the dark corner. A woman. The woman was the shadow and I felt relieved.
Her voice trembled. "My Lady, it's just me. Don't be frightened." she whispered while bowing slightly. "You've been asleep for days."
I blinked hard, trying to see her face clearly. "Who are you?"
"I'm your maid," she said, bowing slightly. "I was told to look after you…and not to speak of anything else."
Her words felt so strange, rehearsed. "Not to speak of anything else? What do you mean?"
She lowered her gaze. "Please, My Lady, I was given orders, so I must follow it. You must rest. I will fetch water and food for you."
Why is she even calling me My Lady?
Her gaze darted to the window, then the door. She placed a wooden cup of water beside me and turned towards the door to leave.
"Wait," I said, standing. "What happened to me? Why can't I remember anything?"
Her hands twisted together. "I don't know anything," she said while bowing her head quickly. "I'll bring you your food."
"Wait…" I started to speak, but she was already gone, her footsteps fading down the hall. Leaving me in the room confused.
I sat there, my heart pounding. Everything around me looked so unfamiliar…old wooden beams, big heavy curtains, a faint smell of herbs. My fingers trembled as I brushed my hair away from my face… only to pause in front of the mirror.
My hair shimmered gold under the dim light.
Gold?
"What…" I whispered to myself, standing slowly. "What happened to me?"
I stumbled toward the mirror. The reflection staring back at me wasn't mine "I can't remember anything why?" I whispered to myself. And on my left forearm…
A crescent mark. Glowing golden so softly.
I touched it with my shaking fingers. "Who am I?"
No answer.
My heartbeat thudded really painfully. I couldn't stay in the room, it felt so suffocating.
Without thinking, I reached for the door handle and stepped out of the house.
The air outside was so cold, heavy with mist around. Trees surrounded the small stone house.
"I just need to breathe," I whispered. "Just a little air."
But the further I went, the more uneasy I became.
The forest wasn't silent anymore.
There were voices. I couldn't see their faces.
"Wow, what a beauty! She is all mine."
"She's over there."
"Looks like someone wandered out alone."
My heart stopped. Male voices. They're close.
I turned slowly, four men stood a few feet away, shadows against the moonlight. Their clothes were very rough.
"Who… who are you?" I asked, taking a step back while my hands kept on trembling.
The tallest of them grinned. "We could ask you the same, sweetheart. You're from the village."
"I…I didn't know there was a village," I stammered. "I just… woke up here."
"Woke up?" another said, tilting his head. "That's a strange thing to say. You look lost."
"I am," I admitted, voice trembling. "I don't even know my own name."
That made them laugh…I stood there in so much confusion wondering what was actually funny.
The tallest one stepped closer, touched my hair, tucking it in my ear. "Then maybe we should give you one."
"Why should you?" I said while stepping away. They were sounding very strange. They had other motives, and I was sure of it.
"Oh, relax," the youngest said, grinning. "We just want to talk and help you, beauty."
Their eyes said otherwise. They were moving closer now, circling me slowly like predators testing the air.
My breathing quickened. "Please…don't come closer."
"Look at her," tallest whispered. "She's trembling."
"Pretty thing like you shouldn't be out here alone," he added, his tone dark and amused.
I backed up until my back hit a tree. Panic clawed at my throat. "I said stay back!" and I pushed one of the guys. He fell.
I tried running away but they caught up to me easily. They held my hands and pushed me back towards the tree. Making my back scream in so much pain.
"Do you think you can escape?" One with a gold tooth reached out, flicking a strand of my hair with his finger. I bit his hands instantly, heart hammering.
"Don't touch me!" I cried.
"ouch…you're getting naughty?" he said. "You're all alone. So we could keep you company, if you behave."
"I don't want your company, leave me alone," My mind was blank…I had no memories, no idea who I was or what I could do. Just fear.
Gold Teeth lunged. I kicked, catching his shin.
"You little witch!"
"Let me go!" I shouted, clawing at them, kicking, biting, anything.
They laughed louder. One with a scar slapped me across the face; pain exploded behind my eyes. "Do you think you can get away?"
"Feisty, aren't you?" the young one breathed near my ear. "Boss will like that."
"Boss?" I gasped.
They dragged me through the woods. My feet scraped against stones and roots, my dress torn and muddy but I kept on struggling. When the trees finally opened up, I saw it, a crooked wooden building, torchlight spilling from its open windows, the stench of smoke and beer thick in the air.
A bar.
Music, laughter, shouting. Drunk men gathered. Women dancing on tables.
"Got somethin' fresh for you, boss!" Scar yelled.
At the far end of the room sat a man. Large, bald, with rings covering his thick fingers. Two women, one wearing black shining gown and the other wearing dazing yellow sat on both sides of him, laughing lazily. His eyes, small and sharp, lifted to me.
He grinned. "Well, well. What's this?"
"She was out in the woods, lost so I brought her home," Gold Teeth said, and everyone laughed. "Figured you'd want a look before we… you know."
The boss leaned back in his chair. "What's your name, little dove?"
I stayed silent.
He snapped his fingers. One of the women at his side stood and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up. "When the boss asks a question, you answer."
"He nodded toward the stage. "Dance. Smile. Make my boys happy, and maybe you'll walk out of here."
The men around cheered, slamming their mugs on the table.
"I'm not doing that."
The boss's smile faded. "Then you'll stay until you learn."
He gestured to Scar. "Clean her up. Give her something to wear. Red will suit her."
Scar grabbed my arm. I pulled away immediately, shoving him with all the strength I had. "Don't touch me!"
The room went silent.
The boss stood slowly, his heavy boots thudding on the floorboards. He came closer, towering over me. His breath smelled of alcohol and smoke.
"You've got spirit," he murmured, gripping my chin hard enough to make me flinch. "That's good. Spirit sells."
I shook my head, tears spilling already and I couldn't hold it anymore . "Please…"
"You think crying will help? Save it for later. You will be all mine tonight."
Suddenly the door burst open.
A tall figure stepped through the doorway, wearing a dark coat, wet from the rain outside, hood low enough to shadow his face.
The boss frowned. "We're closed."
The man didn't answer. He just lifted his head slightly, and for a moment, his gaze met mine.
My breath caught.
And before anyone could speak again, his voice, calm but dangerous filled the room.
"She's not yours."