Chapter Twenty-Five: Incarceration

Raven laid on her side in the fetal position on the cold damp catacomb cell. It was very dark with only one light source being a torch outside of her cell, but only for the guards. The walls were molded grey brick and very thick; difficult to penetrate to the exterior. She had been lying in the same position for several hours staring at the back wall. The half-demon refused to face the opening of her cell to the guards that watched the prison. A day had passed since her confinement but it felt like a few days to the woman.

In spite of this, Raven would prefer a dank prison cell rather than be in the presence of her father. Her hatred of him seemed to intensify since her arrival in the demonic realm. Who would have thought Trigon would place her in same exact cell she was in nearly nine years ago? But Raven didn't complain. She was familiar with the small prison. It wasn't as elegant as her room in the palace above or even her apartment suite in the human world. Her clothing was not as elegant either. The convict was stripped of her dress and placed it with rags for her to wear. Again, she preferred this attire compared to the large Victorian style dress.

She was offered food from the guards but immediately refused to consume it. It even sat there for hours while her stomach craved something to fill her vacant stomach. Again, she did not care what befell other demons that offered her assistance even in her incarceration. The woman knew they were obligated by the command of their leader. Raven blocked out each guard effectively, but so successfully she did not notice a familiar presence approaching her lockup. There was a dark presence blocking out the only source of light clicking the woman's attention back to reality. She continued to lie on the cold floor waiting for the silhouette to speak.

"Good evening my dear daughter." A bellowed voice spoke to the inmate. Raven continued her face away from the dark figure. Deep inside she wanted to lash out knowing who the presence was, but had to control herself since that was something he wanted.

"What the hell do you want?" she asked bitterly still facing the back of the wall.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "I thought I would pay a visit to my dear daughter."

She retorted with scuff. "Now that is a lie. I know you're only here because you want something. That's how it has always been and that's how it will always be. Why don't you just cut to the chase and tell me what you want."

"Oh you are mistaken my dear." He stepped closer to the cell. "I have come to give you some good news."

"Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm." She said sarcastically. Slowly, she retreated from her fetal position and turned towards the figure. To her dismay and hypothesis, it was none other than Trigon.

"It seems that after a long discussion with Archon, he will forgive your transgressions." Trigon said with a smirk on his face.

"Yippee." Yet again, she said another sarcastic comment towards the demon.

"However, it will not be that easy my dear daughter. I warn you, it comes with a price." Trigon's grin grew more malicious.

Raven merely raised one eyebrow interested in what he was about to say. "And what would this be?"

Trigon laced his fingers together. "We both have come to a consensus. You cannot be a good daughter or wife with the type of attitude you have. So we have decided to break you of this insubordinate mindset."

"I am not a horse. You cannot expect to break me." She retorted furrowing her eyebrows.

"Not in that manner half-demon." Trigon crossed his arms. "I simply want to break you of your spirit. It has been done before and I assure that you will be broken of your spirit."

"Give it all you've got. You'll never break me." Raven said with confidence.

Trigon turned to his side closing his eyes. Soon, his devious smile grew and Raven had a sinking feeling in her stomach. "Well if you will not comply, we may just have to take a different approach. Maybe I should just retrieve that man back in the human world. You know, the one you gave a loving last farewell hug and kiss."

The woman's eyes grew wide and she stood up quickly approaching the bars of her prison. She grabbed two of the bars with her hands and gave the demon an intimidating stare. "I thought we had a deal."

"But my dear, our agreement was that I would no longer return to the human realm. That does not insinuate that I cannot send guards or an army to retrieve this man."

"You wouldn't dare." She challenged her face pressed against the bars.

Trigon turned to face her once again and could see the rage and fire within her eyes. He lifted her chin to his height. "I would without a moment's notice."

Raven snarled and clawed at the demon. He stepped away from the enraged woman but was grazed on the cheek by her nails. She could feel herself slipping.

"And that is exactly what I want to see tomorrow. As long as you cooperate in the imperial coliseum, I will not have that man escorted here. After all, if I do get my claws on him, I will have to kill him. Seeing as he is the one who helped break my deal with your suitor and stole what was rightfully Archon's."

Baffled by his statement, she withdrew from the bars of the cell with wide eyes. "How did you know?"

A loud chuckled escaped the demon's lips. "You seem to not grasp the idea that I have kept my eye on you since you escaped from me nine years ago. I have always kept my eye on you."

Raven's mood changed drastically when all she felt was hopelessness and dismay. She returned to the back the cell and drew herself in the fetal position.

Trigon smiled at her defeat knowing that tomorrow he would be able to break her spirit. "Tomorrow, you will be escorted to the imperial coliseum for you to be broken. I look forward to seeing you there. Who knows, after you are dispirited, I may even consider keeping you alive after you give birth to my grandchild." The demon laughed and walked away from the prison cell that held his daughter.

Raven held her legs closer to her body. She wanted to feel that she was feeling something. Yet, at this moment, she felt numb. Her soul and body were consumed with hopelessness. The only thing driving her was the thought of Garfield's safety. No matter what it took for him to be safe, she would sacrifice her freedom and anything else for the one she truly loved. The entire night she held her body closer while tears soaked the cold floor.