Chapter 4

Better the devil you know

"Seraphine."

She didn't want to wake up. She didn't want to face the reality. Her dreams were her only safe haven.

"Seraphine!"

She opened her eyes reluctantly, expecting to see Kol's face but it wasn't him. The young boy was lying on the bed next to her.

"Alex?" Seraphine said sleepily. She was sure that she was still dreaming.

The boy smiled but it was a sad smile.

"Yes, I'm here", he said.

Seraphine felt her eyes filling with tears.

"Alex", she said and hugged him tightly. "I thought you have abandoned me."

"I would never abandon you", the boy replied.

Seraphine dried her eyes and looked at him. There were so many things she wanted to say but she didn't know where to start. She got up and sat on the bed. Alex sat next to her and took her hand.

"I know", he said quietly. "You don't have to say anything."

For a short moment Seraphine felt a glimpse of hope.

"Can you help me?" she asked.

Alex looked sad.

"I really wish that I could. I can't stand to see you like this."

Seraphine held back her tears.

"Could you stay with me? I have been so lonely."

"Well, if you insist", the voice from the door said.

Seraphine's heart skipped a beat before she turned to the door. One of Kol's brothers was standing in the doorway. He was looking at her curiously.

"Who are you talking to, sweetheart?" he asked.

Seraphine turned her head away. Alex was gone. Kol's brother was approaching her slowly. Then Seraphine realized that she was only wearing a t-shirt. She quickly considered her options. Should she try to wrap a blanket around her or just hold still? What was he going to do? For a second she almost hoped that Kol would be here. Better the devil you know. With her luck, this guy would be even worse than Kol. Seraphine forced herself to stay calm when he stopped in front of her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around her and was very careful not to look at him.

"I asked you a question", he said. "Who were you talking to?"

Seraphine didn't say anything. She couldn't have even if she would have wanted to. Kol had forbid her to talk to his family. She couldn't help but wonder did that mean that she wouldn't be able to scream either. She backed away to the other side of the bed and got up when he took a step closer. She tried desperately to find something she could use as a weapon. Maybe it wouldn't help her much but she wasn't going to give up without a fight.

"What are you doing, love?" he asked. He sounded amused.

Seraphine hoped that he would just leave. She really didn't want to know what he was planning to do. He walked around the bed very slowly, like a lion prowling its prey. Seraphine tried to jump over the bed but he was faster. He grabbed her leg making her fall on her stomach. She kicked him as hard as she could. Judging by the annoyed sound that he made, she had hit his face.

"Bloody hell", he murmured before he turned her around and placed himself on top of her. She felt her panic rising when he pinned her wrists above her head. She was trapped. Seraphine tried desperately to get him off her but she might as well try to move a stone wall.

"Calm down", he said annoyed. "Are you always so jumpy?"

Seraphine stopped struggling and looked at him. His eyes were deep blue. He was looking at her very closely. His pupils were dilating.

"Now, I will ask you a question and you will answer me truthfully. Why are you and my brother here?"

Seraphine looked at him calmly. He wouldn't get any information from her. Kol's order was stronger than any compulsion. He looked at her disbelievingly. Seraphine shivered when he leaned closer and inhaled her scent.

"Hmm, no vervain…Interesting. Have my brother compelled you, sweetheart? Can you say something?"

Seraphine shook her head. She wasn't sure why. Suddenly she felt a tear falling down her cheek. She cursed herself because of it but she was just so tired. Too tired to care what he would do to her. He touched her cheek and wiped the tear away with his thumb. For a short moment she thought that she saw warmth in his eyes but that was gone in a second.

"There's no need to cry", he said calmly. "I have no intention to harm you."

She really wanted to believe him but she was perfectly aware that this could be just some kind of game. He was Kol's brother after all. It would be stupid to believe anything he said. Seraphine looked at him calmly when he wiped some hair off her face.

"It's not very nice to touch other peoples property without a permission", Kol's voice suddenly said. Apparently he had managed to surprise his brother who stood up and turned to him. Seraphine got on her feet as well.

"Are you alright, darling?" Kol asked.

Like he would care. Seraphine nodded. Kol looked at his brother and smiled.

"Nik, you should know that I don't like sharing my toys."

His brother rolled his eyes.

"I came here to ask if she wanted something to eat and she kicked me. Seriously Kol, what have you been doing to her, she's like some timid little deer."

Kol looked annoyed.

"What I do with her is my business. Now, if you'll excuse us…"

"Fine. Is she joining us for a dinner?"

"I'm not sure yet", Kol replied without turning his gaze from Seraphine. She tried her best to look calm.

"So, I leave you alone for a moment and you jump in bed with my brother?" he asked with a light tone as soon as his brother had left.

Seraphine swallowed.

"He scared me", she murmured.

"Hmm, really now?"

Seraphine startled when he was suddenly in front of her.

"Did he touch you?" he asked emotionlessly.

"No", Seraphine replied immediately.

He leaned closer and touched her hair.

"Good. Like I said, I don't share my toys."

"I'm not your toy", Seraphine snapped and tried to get pass him.

"You want to bet?" Kol asked smiling. "Stop."

Seraphine's legs refused to move. No.

"Turn around."

She had no choice but obey. Kol looked at her smiling charmingly.

"Now, what should I make you do…"

"Please…" Seraphine murmured in her teeth. "You made your point, I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry…?"

Seraphine looked at him coldly.

"I'm sorry, master", she forced herself to say. She had to suppress her urge to attack him.

"That's more like it", Kol said cheerily. "And don't worry, I'll forgive you. Doesn't that make me merciful?"

"Yes, sure", Seraphine murmured.

Kol caressed her cheek.

"My sweet Seraphine, the sooner you accept your part the better. Fighting won't do you any good."

Seraphine didn't say anything. In her mind she promised to herself that she would never stop fighting. Someday she would be free. One way or the other.