So sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Golf season has started, and I've barely had time to do anything, least of all writing. It's going to be like this until May, I'm afraid, but I will try my absolute best to update whenever I can. Thank you all for your patience!
Two
Nivah's Release
That night Reign slept peacefully.
But only because the Dark Lord allowed her to do so.
There was another meeting in the woods that night, but she would not be attending. Without these visions, Reign finally got the rest she deserved. But while she slept, the trees watched carefully and fearfully over the cloaked figures in their midst.
Tonight was another sacrifice. Her name was Nivah...it was the name of a young girl who unfortunately stumbled into the forest at the wrong time. The Dark Lord had not planned any rituals for that night, but was pleased nonetheless when she was dragged into the clearing. The hot flames of the fire lit up her youthful face, casting shadows that played along the ageless pale skin. She fell to the ground, creating a small dust cloud around her thin body. Voldemort folded his hands and glided over to her. The rest of the Death Eaters circled around their victim, their eyes staring hungrily at the young girl. Her face still lay in the dirt; she refused to remove herself from the ground, refused to look her assailants in the eye. She knew she had landed herself in a deadly situation, but she wouldn't make her death any easier for her murderers.
A tall figure loomed over her limp body. He unfolded his hands and reached inside his robes for his wand. Nivah watched only his feet from her position on the ground. But she could hear his movements. Every deep breath she took disturbed the dust around her thin mouth. She watched as the shadow of his wand moved slowly over her body. When it stopped she shut her eyes tight and waited for that one fateful moment.
But it didn't come.
She opened her eyes as she felt some invisible force pull her body from the ground. Rising slowly, she caught blurry glimpses of dark figures closing in around her. She rose higher and higher until her feet were clear off the ground and she was at eye level with the man who held the wand.
The Dark Lord smirked as the young girl's eyes widened when he removed his hood. His red eyes surveyed her body...petite but strong—just how he liked them. He moved closer and traced a finger along her jawbone and down to her collarbone. His smile grew larger as he felt her hot breath against his cheek. This one was stronger than the others. She did not scream, or cry, or beg. She was a challenge.
"Welcome," he whispered into her ear.
Nivah tried her best to kick him, punch him, or at least turn her head away, but she was helpless with the body bind he had put on her. She clenched her jaw and bit her tongue to keep from crying. Damn her curiosity; it was truly going to be the death of her.
Voldemort replaced his wand and removed her robes by hand. The night was cold, and his lustful grin revealed to Nivah that the ice-cold air was affecting the skin beneath her nightshirt. The man ran the tips of his fingers along her breasts, stomach, and hips. She shut her eyes and scolded herself for becoming aroused by his touch.
When he pulled away she didn't even notice; her eyes didn't open again until she heard his shrill voice announce to his fellow Death Eaters, "She is ready. Do with her as you wish."
He watched with satisfaction as her horrified face disappeared between two of his Death Eaters. Slowly he retreated to a shadowy corner of the clearing, red eyes glowing with lust as he heard the moans from inside the small circle.
Every dark figure took his turn in raping the young girl...all except two. One figure leaned against a tree, watching the ceremony with a distasteful look in his eyes, while the other strode over to where his master watched.
"My lord," he said as he bowed.
"Lucius." Voldemort's eyes burned in their sockets. "Why are you not participating?" he asked as he looked toward the circle.
"My lord, if you please—" Voldemort raised a bald eyebrow at the man. "What are your plans for the elf?"
"I wouldn't be forced to make any if you hadn't done what I asked of you." Lucius instinctively took a step backwards.
"But my lord, she is stronger than I expected—" he stopped as the red eyes widened. "I'm sorry, my lord."
"You are forgiven," came the reply, "for now."
"But what will we do if she is not on our side? You have tried nearly everything."
"I have no need for her anymore." Malfoy stared open-mouthed.
"But her powers, my lord...they would have proven most useful in our cause—"
"Lucius, I thought I already stated that I have no need for her anymore." Silence filled the shadow they stood in. Lucius lowered his head and folded his hands. The Dark Lord smiled and placed a finger on Malfoy's chin, lifting his face to stare into his gray eyes. "There is no need for her...now that we have the girl."
"The girl, my lord?" Voldemort nodded. "But she doesn't have the same powers as the elf—"
"True, but she was made from her. When I took a strand of white hair from Reign and a small sample of her elvin blood, I knew that her clone would lack her elvin power. But I also knew that whatever Reign felt, she would feel, also. And I knew that whenever the elf used her powers, her clone would be able to use them, too."
"So," Lucius began as he pieced together the puzzle, "once Reign learns to control her power, she may try to use it against us."
"Will use it against us," the Dark Lord corrected.
"But the girl will not be affected by it." Voldemort nodded. "Brilliant, my lord."
"Of course it is," he snapped. "But I need the girl to pledge her alliance. I need to know that she will be faithful to me." Lucius nodded slowly. "That is where you earn the chance to redeem yourself."
"I will do whatever you ask of me."
"Of course you will. You will do what you are best at."
"My lord?"
"I need you to break her in for me, Lucius." A great smile spread across Malfoy's hidden face.
"It will be my pleasure." The pair looked over to the circle. The young girl was suspended in the air once more, blood dripping down her thighs. Her head hung limp against her chest. The figure against the tree lowered his head, refusing to look at the gruesome sight.
Voldemort and Lucius approached the circle, each smiling with his own satisfaction. The Death Eaters moved to the side to let their master in. With one pale finger, Voldemort traced Nivah's leg up to her thigh, collecting the fresh blood. He gazed hungrily at the sacred liquid as it glistened in the light from the fire. It tasted bittersweet in his mouth.
Virgin's blood was his finest wine.
"Well done," he said to the Death Eaters. The once predominant young woman hung silent in the air in front of him, her breathing much slower than when she first arrived. Voldemort lifted her head and grazed her lips with his own. "Thank you," he whispered into her mouth. He smiled at the small groan escaping from deep within her throat. He pulled back and brought out his wand. "I do hope you haven't had too pleasant of a time here on this dreadful planet. As your reward for your service, I shall send you away from here." He raised his wand to the level of her eyes.
A solitary tear fell down her cheek. "Do not cry, sweet child. Remember that death is a release, not a punishment."
A blinding green light shot out of the end of his wand, and a moment later the girl fell to the ground with all life having been torn out of her young body. The Death Eaters rejoiced at the sight. Voldemort replaced his wand and watched as Lucius strode over to the tree where the small figure stood alone.
A crazy smile crept over his face as Lucius touched the shoulder of the figure affectionately and turned it away from the scene, leading it back to Hogwarts.