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Chapter 20

Annalise's POV

My eyes open slowly. I try to sit but immediately regret it. I groan in pain. My whole body is radiating in heat. "Please stay down," I look to my side where the voice came from. I see Fabio. This strikes me as weird because he is never in my room. Or I least I don't think so. "Are they here?"

"No, Miss Scarlett. Master and Madam along with young Master went to make sure the wolves were gone for good," I let out a breath of air; I feel better knowing they aren't inside the house.

"Did they send you before leaving?"

"Yes, Miss Scarlett. Your Mother sent me to heal you,"

I cringe. "Please don't call her my Mother. I have one and it's not her," I frown.

"My apologies Miss," He bows his head. He stands from the chair with his head still bowed. "What will be my punishment?"

My frown depends. "What?"

"I have failed and disrespected you. They are punishable acts. As a slave I wait for what punishment my lady chooses for me."

"That's ridiculous." I chuckle thinking it's a joke. But when he doesn't move, still with his head bowed, I notice he's telling the truth. "I punish you with five hours of sleep,"

His eyes snap towards me. He looks taken aback. "I'm sorry Miss Scarlett but did you say sleep?"

"Yes I did Fabio. That is your punishment." And for the first time since I've been captured I see him smile.

"You're not like them are you?"

"No-" I flinch as I try to sit again.

"Carefully Miss," He helps me gently by placing some fluffy pillows behind me. He then fixes the blankets over me. I smile gratefully.

"Did you heal Axel too when they broke his bones?" he places his hand over my leg. I let out a scream of agony as he brakes them back into place.

"Sorry Miss, but they need to heal properly." He looks it over. "To answer your question, yes I did, countless of times. Before you even arrived at the house."

"Monsters," I mumble in disgust. "What do they want with us? Why can't they just let us go? What's the point of having us? They're unhappy, we're unhappy." I truly don understand.

"Family. They have a funny way of showing it but they're goal is to have a happy family." He shrugs placing a small pillow under my leg.

"Funny way? That's an understatement." I huff and lay down as he rolls the covers over me. Having him in close range I smell the forest almost like Embry but there's something different. He is darker than us but still doesn't smell human. "I hope you don't mind me asking but what are you?"

"Not human, Not Vampire. I come from a rare species, passed down by generations."

I look around as if I was looking for police and I was a most wanted thief. "A wolf?" I whisper.

"No, an imperial Eagle."

"An eagle?" I squeak.

He chuckles. "Yes. I may not be equal to your wolf friends but there was a time where we fought side by side. Helping bring tribes together to defeat a common enemy." He stays serious. "But those were other times. Way before you were even born."

We stay quite as Fabio finishes changing the hot compresses to my healing bones. "My real name is Annalise. Please, at least when they're not around, call me Annie or Anna,"

He nods. "Anna," I smile. "My name is not Fabio, It is Nakoma. Meaning warrior."

"Why does everybody here call you Fabio then?"

"Madam and Master named me after my tribe was attacked and I was taken by them. They made me into their slave. Never to buy my own freedom."

"Who attacked your tribe?"

"I do not know. All I know is I was trying to run for survival. My father was killed, my mother killed in captivity as they called it. My younger brother is still captured by a family of Vampires. Last time I heard." Captivity? They're monsters indeed.

"What about the local authorities? Wouldn't they noticed an attacked? Mass murders?"

"That did not exist in the year 1812. There was no such thing, for us. We were the lowest class."

My eyes widen. "You've been their prisoner for that long?"

"Yes, after a while you don't notice. All I focus on is that I do this to protect my brother, so he doesn't have the same fate as my mother; nothing else matters. Not even my own suffering."

"I'm guessing Eagles don't age?"

"Only if we keep phasing. Much like Wolves. And I do every day. I'm the one who brings the food, human prey against my nature, along with other Eagle captives,"

"There's more?"

"Yes, but as I'm the one who's been here longer I'm allowed to be inside the house. They trust me. The others do work outside, bringing word if some threat comes close. If the masters are occupied not paying attention. We roam the skies but always have to come back or they'll kill their family."

"The wolves," I whisper. That's how they knew.

"Yes," he answer my unasked question.

I remain quite not knowing where to go from there. He looks to the side and seems to be listening to something. I don't hear anything. His brown eyes fall on me as he stands. "I most go. They will arrive soon,"

"How do you know?" I focus to the noise outside but all my ears pick up is the ambient noise of squirrels, other animals and wind dragging leaves.

"The eagle who is keeping guard told me." I frown. "We speak through the mind." He takes the rest of the cloths with him and silently leaves my room.

I lay back down as I hear them enter. Heavy footsteps and heels clacking on the marble floor. I shiver. They are repulsive monsters that don't deserve to live. I close my eyes. I hear Axel's familiar footsteps but they pass my room going directly to his. I hope he's alright. I focus on my breathing trying to ignore Heaven's giggling as Richard chasses her up the stairs. They don't deserve to be happy.

I listen to my even breathing, my heart beat. What if I'm a prisoner like Nakoma? I can't. I start remembering all the good memories I have of my family. Cliff diving, vacations, laughter, hugs, love. No! I cannot be a prisoner any longer. I need to find a way to them, and I will.

….

A week later…

I stuff the piece of paper under my pillow as I hear the keys being fumbled around on the other side of the door. The door opens in a creek and let's Nakoma in.

"Another day trapped here?" I ask him as he brings me the tray of bread. I haven't drank blood, all they feed me is hard bread as a form of punishment since I don't listen with beatings. I have been forbidden to leave the house, even my room. I can't handle all of it. But what strikes me hard is not being able to see my brother. They forbid him to visit, to talk, or even see me.

"Yes Miss Scarlett," He looks at me apologetically.

"We don't trust, at all." Heaven says with a flat tone as she walks in.

"I need to return to school. It will look weird and suspicious if I don't return,"

She purses her lips. "Don't you think we know that? Axel has said you were sick and couldn't leave the house but at last you may return. You have five minutes to get changed. We will be waiting. Fabio! Let's go," Nakoma follows her obediently out the door.

I run to the closet now having my leg and collar bone healed. It's the beauty of being a half-Vampire. I walk past my shattered mirror and to the hangers. I slip on dark skinny jeans, a long black sleeve shirt and some black converse. I braid my hair fast and throw it over my shoulder. I apply some pink lips stick and powder so they don't think anything of it.

I run back to my bed to get the piece of paper that holds my plan to escape. This is it. I'm going to do it. Before leaving I scarf down the hard bread. I take fast steps down the stairs and I make to the dining room on the nick of time. The good thing or I would have to go to school with bruise somewhere.

Axel is leaning over his prey, still sucking away her blood. Heaven is wiping the drops off her chin and Richard sits on the tallest most expensive chair that has beautifully crafted work at the back. He sits with his left leg over the other; the ankle over the knee. His blood red eyes fixed on me. He plays with silver cup with fancy marks on it. He moves it around and around.

I hiss turning my head slightly and closing my eyes to try and control myself. I haven't had any blood and smelling it has my insides begging for the delicious liquid.

"Have a seat Scarlett," Richard's sensual voice rings in my ears. I turn around slowly still holding my breath. I sit on the chair farthest from him. "Closer." He commands. "Sit right here," He points to the small chair, similar to the one I'm sitting on, right next to him.

As I sit I look at him. "Yes Father?"

"Are you going to behave?" He brings his leg down and is slightly leaning towards me.

"Yes," I say without hesitation and my famous poker face.

"Can we trust you go to school then come back?"

Heaven snickers. "We honestly know that Richard. We can't trust-"

"Silence Heaven. I am not speaking to you," He says sternly. Her mouth instantly closes.

I fight the urge to laugh, holding my poker face in place. "Trust me Father, I do not want my bones re-broken." I look at my leg then back at him. "Or the vile taste of hard bread."

He places his long finger over his chin contemplating my answers. "Very well." I stay seated waiting for what else he has to say. He slides the silver cup to me. I watch as it glides over the shiny wooden table to land on my waiting open my palm. "If you want any strength I suggest you drink up," He stands and begins walking away leaving me with jumbled thoughts.

Heaven follows him mumbling on and on about his decision. "Richard. What are you doing? Why are you…" I can't hear more as they leave the house and run out of my hearing range.

I look at the sliver cup as I raise it to my nose. I begin sniffing. "Its blood," Axel's deep voice says behind me.

I turn around. "Why would he give me blood?"

He shrugs crossing his arms over his muscular chest. "To give you strength." He seems to be studying me.

"Whatever," I place the cup on my lips and tilt my head back to chug it. I open my eyes when I feel it's all gone. "I need more,"

"See there is where the typical Richard comes in. He gives you enough to survive but not enough to make you as strong as you were," he begins walking away.

"Axel-" I place my hand over his shoulder to stop him but he shrugs it off.

"-Don't." He still hasn't faced me. "What were you thinking?" He looks down and shakes his head. As he turns I see his angry eyes. "I was out there risking my life for you. Richard could've found what I was doing and tore me apart. But I come back to find that the one being torn apart is you. Why couldn't you stay in your room? Why face Richard by yourself? What happened to us against the world?"

I dive into my memories:

How could I eat someone? My Momma would be so disappointed. And now I don't even have the name she gave me. "I miss them Axel… so much. And look, I'm becoming a monster too,"

He wraps his arms around me. "Don't say that. You are doing what is best; trying to survive. Unless, your real family wants you to starve to death,"

"No," I look down and play with my hands.

"There you go,"

"Axel, tell me that at least I'll have you to lean on," I look at him wide eye.

His blue eyes look back at me with some much gentleness. "I promise," He takes out his pinky.

"You pinky promise too?!" He chuckles at my excitement.

"Yes, and I promise to be here for you. And you promise me you won't get yourself in trouble. It will kill me to see you hurt," He squints his eyes looking at me.

"Promise, I wouldn't want to get hurt either." I smile. He always makes me smile even when my world is getting darker.

"Me and you against the world?" He questions.

We hook our pinkies together. With my free hand I wipe the tears away. "Yes. Me and you against the world…always,"

I look back at his eyes. They're full of hurt. "Axel. I had to fight for my way out. I can't do this anymore,"

"You could've waited for me. I would've stood by your side no matter what."

I take his hand. "But it would finish ending me if you got hurt because of me. I couldn't deal with myself thinking it was my fault."

He caresses my cheek. "It wouldn't. I am tired of them as well. I will be fighting for the freedom of all who lives here like a prisoner,"

"I have a plan," I whisper.

His brows depend. "Plan for what?"

I focus to the noise outside but hear nothing; meaning not Richard nor Heaven. "To escape," I whisper even lower.

"It won't work."

"Yes it will."

"You think if it was easy I would've have left by now. Or have you forgotten I've been living with them for a century? They have eyes everywhere,"

"But-"

"-I said no," He takes his hand away. "I can't see you hurt any longer." He turns around without another word and walks out.

….

School all seems dull now. I've been through so much; all I want is to back home. That's all I really desire. I ignored Axel through the whole gym period. He was pretty busy anyways with his new buddies he had made the whole week I couldn't come to school. As I sit on the bench guys have hit on me but I do the same thing that I do to Axel, ignore them. They just don't catch my eye; none of them do.

Thanks to Haylee I'm up to speed with our classes; it's not like I missed much. They did swap my Chemistry class with History for some reason. Lunch was different, Richard nor Heaven came to ruin it and the Jessie guy was not there. Haylee said he kept asking where I was but she didn't know really, none of them did.

All I needed was to finally make to my last class without having my day interrupted. I walk in noticing the teacher fiercely writing on the dry erase board. Her clothing is appropriate to the school code. Plaid skirt with stockings, a long sleeve wool blue sweater. Her orangey-red hair tied up in a pony. "Ms. Simmons. I'm Scarlett O'Connell."

Her blue eyes meet me. She seems young and very pretty. "Ah, Yes. Miss O'Connell. What a pleasure it is to finally meet you," We shake hands. "Find an empty seat" She smiles and continues writing on the board.

I decide to go with the last desk at the back. I place my bag on the floor next to me. I open my blank notebook as I cross my legs. I patiently wait for the teacher to begin the lesson as the class fills with tired looking students. Many still look at me as if I was an alien but others has seem to get over it and just sit on their chairs. The teacher stands from her seat to close the door when she stops. "Mr. Davis, late I see. Come in," She waves him in.

Jessie steps in with dark fitted jeans and a hoodie; his head down. I begin looking around hoping to see an empty seat anywhere else but the one next to me. As his feet stop in front of my desk he looks up confused. His eyes widen when he sees me. "Take a seat Mr. Davis." The teacher points him out and begins talking. Jessie slowly takes a seat still looking at me. I immediately look at the front trying to ignore his gaze. Why of all people am I stuck with him? I miss Haylee as my history partner.

As the lesson goes on I can feel his stare on me the entire time. "Alright, this next project will be half your grade. 'How would you stop a war?' That is the question to your research paper. You will have partners. And to make my day brighter I will pick," Students groan; like if what she said was the worst. "Turn to you right, that will be your partner," I refuse to look but at the end had no choice. Jessie only gives me a sly grin and give him a fake smile before looking at the teacher. "Now, begin. Did I forget mention I need real facts, postings about anything you find, also a presentation at the very end?" Everybody whines. "This project is due in a month than enough time if you ask me." She taps her pen on the desk before sitting down and begins reading some book.

"Sorry," Jessie whispers.

I look at his almost black but enchanting eyes. "For what?" I ask confused.

"For the other day. Just that Haylee has been my friend since we were in diapers and-"

"-And you felt like you needed to protect her," I finish for him.

"Yeah." He frowns. He clears his throat and opens his notebook. "So Ms. Scarlett, 'how would you stop a war?'"

The last word brings me to my real life. War. It may not be like the one for a human but I'm at war for my freedom. I look back at Jessie. "I would crush the leader…"