Helena's POV
I never thought I would live to see the day a vampire and a werewolf worked together.
They were sworn enemies — had been for centuries. There wars were the kind that reshaped borders, wiped out bloodlines, rewrote treaties in blood. Yet here I was, chained in a vampire's lair, because I was captured by a werewolf. I suppose the saying was true.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. At least temporarily.
"Sorry for the terrible accommodation," the vampire said mildly, gesturing around with a lazy wave of his hand. "I hope you understand. We wouldn't want you going all huntress on us."
He leaned against a stone pillar elegantly, like he wasn't standing in a dungeon filled with iron. Torchlight flickered across his pale skin, catching on sharp cheekbones and eyes the color of fresh blood.
"My name is Christian," he continued smoothly. "This is my lair."
I glanced down at the chains binding my wrists to the wall. "Accommodation" was a generous word. I almost laughed. How exactly did he expect me to fight back? I had no weapons. No wood. No charms. Unless he counted the knife my mother gave me — and judging by the fact that my bag was nowhere in sight, even that was gone.
"So," Christian said, eyes narrowing slightly, "you're the hunter promised to the Alpha King."
My stomach dropped.I kept my face blank, schooling my expression with years of hunter training. Never react. Never give them what they want.
"I'm promised to no one," I spat.
Christian chuckled. "Feisty. I think I might like you."
He stepped closer, close enough that I could smell him — old parchment, iron, something sweet and rotten beneath it. His fangs slid into view as he smiled.
"I have access to very premium information, honey," he said softly. "And trust me. I know it's you."
I schooled my expression, my jaw tightened. "What the fuck do you want from me?"
"You?" He laughed. "Nothing."
Then his expression sharpened, eyes glinting.
"It's what having you gives me that I want. Hardly anyone knows the Alpha King bought himself a hunter. One he plans on making a wife at that." His smile widened. "His pack would riot if they found out. The supernatural world would have a field day."
My chest tightened.
"I'll exchange you for something he has that belongs to me."
I swallowed hard.
I didn't want to be at the mercy of any of them — wolf or vampire. My father had turned me into currency. Now vampires are interested in me as well.
Thanks, Dad, I thought bitterly.
"I'm not a bad host," Christian continued. "Cooperate, and I'll give you finer accommodations."
I forced my shoulders to relax. This was my chance.
"I'll cooperate," I said quietly. "I promise. I have no where to run"
Christian studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Good. I'd hate to ruin you before delivering you. The Alpha King wants his purchase in good condition."
He leaned in, voice dropping. "Though I wouldn't mind a taste if you try to escape."
I nodded, keeping my face carefully neutral while my mind raced.
First step: get my bag.
"Keon," Christian called.
The shadows beside the wall moved. They peeled away from the stone and solidified into a man — tall, dark-haired, eyes glowing faintly. I jumped despite myself, heart slamming against my ribs.
"Send the message," Christian said casually.
Keon grinned like he saw my reaction. "Toodles." He waved then he was gone.
'My humans will come fetch you. See you later, Miss Helene' he said and left me in the dungeon
Hours passed or maybe minutes. Time felt wrong down here. Eventually, footsteps approached. A woman dressed like a maid entered the dungeon, followed by a man. They were human. I could smell it instantly. Their heartbeats were too fast, their eyes too empty.
Blood bags, humans used as food for vampires.
The man unlocked my chains. My wrists burned as the iron released me. They handed me my bag — lighter than before — and led me through winding corridors, up stone stairs, into a lavish wing of the lair.
The room they left me in was red. Red walls. Red curtains. A massive bed sat in the center, dressed in white sheets so stark they looked obscene against the color. A folded cloth lay on the mattress.
A gown. The door locked behind me. I dropped my bag on the bed and rummaged through it frantically, no knife. I'd expected that. Still, the disappointment hit hard. The Knife was a piece of my mum's I had left. I would find a way to get it back.
The windows were barred. Decorative, maybe — but strong.
False comfort that's what this room was. A prettier cage. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my hands. At the faint scars lining my fingers.
How did my life become this?
I didn't know how long I sat there before I made up my mind to wash up and try to get some sleep. Escaping wouldn't be easy if I was tired. I tested the door again. Still Locked.
I woke up feeling much rested, although I didn't know if it was night or day; everything here was barred, and light was not allowed in. I stood up and looked around once again. Then I noticed the air vent near the ceiling — old, rusted, barely maintained.
Hunter instincts kicked in. I picked my bag, and dragged a chair beneath the vent, climbed up, and pried at the loose metal with my fingers until it bent enough for me to squeeze through. It scraped my arms and tore my sleeves, but I didn't stop. I dropped into a dim corridor on the other side. Freedom was close. I could feel it, I ran.
Then something slammed into me from behind.Pain exploded across my back as I hit the floor hard. A vampire stood over me — not Christian. Younger. Crueler. His eyes were wild, his mouth twisted. He looked newly turned and they were dangerous.
"Where are you going doll?" he snarled.
I tried to run in another direction trying to escape him but he grabbed my shoulders before I could run. I fought back, hitting him in as many delicate places I could see— but he was too strong. He grabbed my hair and yanked my head back, fangs sinking into my neck.
Agony tore through me, then the pain stopped abruptly. The vampire screamed. He staggered back, clutching his mouth, eyes wide with terror.
"What—what are you?" he gasped.
His skin began to crack. I stared in shock as his body collapsed inward, turning to ash before it even hit the floor.
Silence.
I lay there, blood dripping down my neck, chest heaving.
What fuck just happened?