Chapter 6; The Icy Dungeon

 Chapter 6: The Icy Dungeon

Camila

My eyelashes slipped open, and my gaze met unwavering darkness. A chilling wind slapped me awake, and goosebumps covered my skin. I wrapped my arms around myself, shielding my body from the cruel cold.

"Where the heck were my..." I muttered, placing my hand on my forehead and looking around. Memories flooded back—abducted by unknown men in front of my coffee shop.

My surroundings were dimly lit, with shadows dancing across the cold stone wall. Only faint rays of light seeped through the holes in the roof. As I scanned the dungeon, I saw the other prisoners' sunken eyes, their faces gaunt and pale. The air reeked of mold decay, and a tang of blood clung to my nostrils, making my stomach churn with nausea.

"Somebody, please help!" I screamed desperately, ignoring my chattering teeth, as I continued pounding on the iron cage with my fists. Despite my numb toes dragging me down, my eyes widened in horror at the sight of human dry body parts scattered everywhere.

'Had I been kidnapped by cannibals or monsters that feasted on humans?' The howling wolves outside grew louder, their haunting cries echoing off the dungeon walls and sending shivers down my spine.

The creaking of the dungeon door shattered the darkness, and I spun toward the sound, my heart racing. Fear rippled through the other prisoners, and everywhere was filled with cries, their eyes darting toward the door.

The door swung open, allowing a sliver of light to seep in. A young, handsome man entered, clad in a long red robe. He appeared tall but slender, with a long oval face and his white hair cascading down his shoulders. I couldn't help but wonder if he was the one who had imprisoned us.

The prisoners in their cages were gripped with overwhelming panic. He suddenly stopped in front of the fifth cage in my row and pointed.

"Bring her out," his voice was loud and terrifying, indicating a specific woman whose face I couldn't see clearly.

The guards he had brought with him hurried to the cage and forcibly dragged the girl after much struggle and resistance.

They brought her forward, and she stood before him, shivering in fear. His gaze lingered on her face down to her body, and a sly smile spread across his lips, sending shivers down her spine.

He reached out to touch her face. Instantly, she moved her face away, and I saw her face. My heart racing, I jumped to my feet when I recognized the young lady as Sia.

‘How on earth had she gotten here? Had she also been kidnapped?’ I wondered, my eyes blinking rapidly.

As our eyes met, Sia's fear-filled gaze sent a jolt through me. My mind racing with memories of my and Sia's promises to each other, fueled my determination to protect her.

"Keep your hands off my sister," I snapped angrily, standing up from the floor.

Fear and desperation swirled in her depths. Before she masked it with a hardened expression, looking away. I didn't care about her attitude at that moment, but I couldn't stand by and watch someone hurt her. Despite her betrayal, I still saw her as my sister.

The man turned his gaze toward me, his smirk turning into a deep frown. He signaled his guards to drag me out of the cage, and I followed without protest.

When I stood before him, I pushed the guard's grip on my arms and ran to Sia.

"Are you okay? Were you hurt?" I spun her around in concern, noticing the bruises on her body.

She lightly pushed my hands away. "I'm fine. You don't need to worry." She muttered, moving away from me.

I tried to follow her; however, in a quick movement, a stronger hand pulled me back, and his fingernails pierced into my jaw, causing blood to trickle out.

“Ouch!” I winced in pain.

‘It felt like he was draining the life out of me with his nail,’ I thought, my heart pounding.

"You were quite a fighter, but weak humans don’t stand a chance," he said with a sly smirk, digging his nails deeper, and drawing more blood.

"You...you jerk! I won't let you harm her!" I managed to say, as he tightened his grip on my jaw.

He chuckled dryly. "Brave, spirited, and pretty. Just my type," he murmured, his eyes darkening.

‘Oh no, this guy is a lunatic!’ I thought, fear creeping into my chest.

"L-Let me go," I stammered, trying to hide my fear.

"How about I fuck and kill you right here," he threatened, forcefully tilting my head to expose my neck as he leaned in for a kiss. I mustered all my strength and pushed him away in revulsion, causing him to hit the wall behind him with force.

Enraged, he advanced toward me with fury in his eyes, raising his hand and striking me hard on the chin, which made me spit out blood and drop to my knees, sending him a murderous glare, breathing heavily.

"You were quite a firecracker, weren’t you?" He taunted, as his lips curved into a smirk.

‘He’s s enjoying this. I won’t give him the satisfaction.’ I thought, returning his smirk, "Is that all you’ve got, lunatic?"

Instantly, his eyes blazed with rage and his jaw tightened. He bent over and dragged me up, raising his clutched fist to strike me again. A voice suddenly intervened...

"Lan! Prepare the human sacrifice. Alpha demands satisfaction. The festival has just begun," a voice shouted from outside.

‘Oh no… Were we going to be sent to wolves or a beast to be eaten?’ My thoughts raced, and my limbs trembled.

He let go of my jaw and pushed me roughly to the ground, lowering himself to my eye level. "No one has ever dared to speak to me like that, but you did today," he said, looking down at me with a smirk.

"After I'm finished with you, you'll be begging for death, but my guards will make sure your torment continues," he spat with malice before striding away.

"That will be over my dead body, Lan!" I called after him, using the name I had heard from outside.

He stopped, clenching his fists in anger before deciding to leave. "Blindfold and bring them out for the sacrifice. And let that lousy bitch take the lead. I'll kill her myself," he ordered.

‘Holy fuck! I must find a way to escape and save Sia at all costs.’ I thought, clinging to hope.