In the Heart of the Storm

Chapter 3

"Caroline, I brought you another one." Damon said as he led Elena to another part of the ship where one of the most gorgeous women she had ever seen stood before her.

"I don't have time for another one of your charity cases Damon. I have to prep the girls for Markos's arrival."

"Luckily for you, I have brought one of Markos's girls."

"Why didn't she come with the others?" she questioned impatiently putting as girl's hair in a bun.

"Markos wanted her as a last-minute addition. Something about her father and some debt. Anyway, are you going to take her or not? I also have preparation to attend to for tonight's events. And I wouldn't want to leave Markos waiting."

"Of course not. Come along dear and let's get you cleaned up."

Sending her a nod, Damon retreated to his part of the ship as Elena walked up to Caroline who examined her and tsked in disappointment.

"I wish Damon had brought you in earlier. You're positively filthy. It'll take hours to get you ready. Best get to it before you get worse. Sybil, can you attend to the other girls while I fix Elena a bath to soak in?"

"Yes, Ms. Forbes." The woman said eying her slightly as she tended to the others while Elena was dragged away to become presentable for Markos.

"What village did you come from? You're absolutely disgusting and appalling. Is that twigs I spot in your hair?" Caroline scolded scrubbing at her skin hard to get all the traces of dirt off her. When she had mentioned the bath before Elena thought she would finally have time to herself to devise a plan but fate or rather Caroline had other ideas on how this bath should occur.

"Maybe." She answered with a shrug not willing to engage Caroline in further conversation as she sorted through her thoughts wondering how the hell, she could get out of this.

"I guess you're not a very responsive one. That's good. It'll work to your advantage when you meet Markos. "

"How so?"

"Markos likes a woman of few words. You seem like that type of girl."

"Maybe. Maybe not. I guess you'll never know." Elena replied as Caroline scrubbed her hair.

"I suggest you act as if you're one than. Markos is ruthless and he will do anything to get his way no matter who he hurts. It would be in your best interest to keep that in mind."'

Nodding, Elena let Caroline finish her bath in silence as she got out of the makeshift tub and Caroline wrapped her up in a towel. She had to admit, the bath did help somewhat with her overall mood. It wasn't by much, but it was still something.

"I'm going to get your clothes. Stay right there and don't try anything stupid."

Sighing, Elena looked around the bathroom as she contemplated at how she was going to get out of this one. She couldn't sneak out of the bathroom, but she didn't want to go meet Markos either. She sat down on the toilet and set her head in her hands finally letting her tears fall.

When the door reopened, Elena wiped away the tears as Caroline and Sybil walked in with Sybil holding a dress that seemed to be of the finest material that money could buy. Where had they got this?

"A gift. From Markos."

"Why would I accept that?"

"You don't have a choice." Caroline answered shoving the dress towards her as Sybil took in her measurements.

"What are you taking my measurements for?"

"Corsets and petite coats of course." Caroline answered with a smile.

"There's no way in hell I'm wearing one of those torture devices."

"Listen Markos didn't pay for you for you to act like trash and look like it as well. Now shut up and let us get you dressed."

Rolling her eyes, Elena allowed the girls to put her in the medieval torture devices as she stared at herself in the mirror seeing a girl who was lost without a clue in the world why she was placed here to begin with. But that wasn't going to stop her. She would figure out a plan to escape and Markos would pay. She promised herself that. She just had to figure out the how first.

"There. Now you are presentable for Markos. Sybil will escort you to your chambers while you wait for Markos's feast to commence."

"Right this way." Sybil said as Elena ignored her.

"Markos actually has chambers for us. I thought he was going to store us underneath the ship like the men I just saw."

"He has more suitable chambers for his guest. Now run along, I have other girls to attend to."

Elena nodded following Sybil as she wondered how the hell, she was going to get herself out of this one.

"Master Markos has requested your presence at his feast tonight. Come. We must not keep him waiting."

Nodding Elena followed the handmaiden as she looked around at the curious faces of the ship until she had come up to the dock where a guy and a few other girls were feasting on the most delectable food she had ever saw.

"Ah, our new guest has arrived. Ladies meet our newest addition Elena."

"Hello Elena." All the girls said seeming hypnotized by her. What the fuck was going on here?

"Pleasure." She said standing around in case it was rude to sit down without permission.

"Don't be shy, come sit and dine with us."

Nodding Elena took her seat at the table as one of the servants poured her a drink.

"Wine?"

"The finest money could buy. Do you like it?"

"It is quite delectable."

"I like my wine like I like my women." He replied with a wink as she cringed slightly.

"Very old and a little bitter?" she asked with a smile on her face making him spit out his expensive wine. Success.

"You've got a sense of humor. I like that in a woman." He answered making her frown slightly. Damn. He was good.

"Why am I here?"

"I thought you knew."

"I do, but I want you to say it out loud."

"You're here to please me. There's nothing more to it than that. Now please eat. You're looking a little boney."

Huffing, Elena picked at the food as she watched the girls interact with Markos. Why were they acting as if all of them were brainwashed?

"Is there a problem with the food?" Markos asked her to take a break from the girls falling all over him.

"No. Not at all."

"So, what's the problem than?"

"I think I'm just nauseous, because I can't stand looking at your face after all you've done."

The girls around her gasped as Markos chuckled a dangerous glint in her eyes. Fuck. What the hell had she just done?

"Oh. You were worth every penny. I can't wait to break you in. Now if you won't excuse me, I got a ship to run." Markos answered getting up and leaving her to wonder what the hell he was going to do next.