| Ten |

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Song : Hollow by Tori Kelly

•••

February 5, 1943

Light.

Finally.

The thing I have been longing for the past six to twelve hours. I lost count after six. All I could recall was going to the healing center. Me being a Nyx. I still couldn't believe it. The Nyx were hated throughout immortal society. The only fate befitting a Nyx was death. They all had to be killed in order to make sure that the people of immortal society would survive. Their power was too strong, so in order to save the people from their uncontrollable power, they would have to die. I would have to be killed before I can cause any massive amounts of destruction. That would be my fate.

But the question was, did Caius know about my "condition?" If so, why did he choose me?

I also remembered going out to see Rell. And then I'm kidnapped by some evil bastards. These men obviously don't know what personal hygiene was. How to properly cleanse themselves off the germs that linger in their skin. The whole house they took me to, smelled like wet dog. Stupid mutts.

I was still walking through the halls, with my kidnappers guiding me to another room. The men that captured me finally took off the dirty bag that they put over my head. It smelled worse than the food I smelled yesterday morning. Did these people know how to wash cloth? I shall see to it. This was an outrage! Who did these people think they are! I had to get out of this strange place.

"Men! Thou shalt hang for this! Show thyself!"

There was silence. Complete and utter silence. So silent, even a junia could here the crickets chirping melodies in the distance.

"What cowards." I said under my breath. "Art thou fearful?"

Then there was shadow. I struggled under the ropes, trying to reach for the dagger attached to my garter. The chair I sat in swayed side to side as I struggled. Another struggle, I would tip over, easily.

"Thou should abide. Struggling is quite pointless. It would only do damage to such a pretty face. It would a pity to damage a pretty face."

I snapped. Who was that?

"How dare thee? You dare challenge a princess! I shall kill thee myself!"

"Thou? Truly?"

This man! The nerve! The utter nerve! I shall see to it, he will learn how to hold his tongue and learn respect.

"I have had enough of thou's cruel taunting! It shall be easy to kill thee. Like breaking a toothpick or crushing a berry!"

I swished around in my chair, trying to find a way to escape. Ryland. I called in my head. He wasn't answering. Then I heard a small clank on the floor. My dagger fell to the ground. I saw in the shadows, a paw picking it up. I saw a pair of curious brown eyes examining the dagger.

Werewolf.

"You get your filthy paws off my dagger, mongrel!" I heard a small whine, before I small smack was heard.

"Fear her not, lads. The wee princess is just fiery. Her fire just needs to be put out." This man could kill himself easily with his words rather than a war.

"The weak little princess, just needs to be taught a small lesson."

I was fuming. The utter nerve of this man is disgusting! How dare he do this! What gives him the right to kidnap me and then insult me and my honor. I have more honor than this offal dog! I could easily break him. My brothers told me that men like this are cowards and can easily be killed than others.

"I am not weak! You are the wee lamb in this world! Thoust refuse to show me thy face and fight! Thou art a most notable coward!"

There were small laughs and giggles heard in the shadows. They echoed like ripples in a river. I could feel the trifling smiles of the onlookers. I smirked in triumph of my victory. This man really is a coward.

"How dare thee! I shall see to it that you be punished, Nyx."

He knows what I am! Is that what this is about! Did he kidnap me because he is afraid of me. Oh, my worst fear has come true. My subjects fear me. Oh, woe to me!

"Thou should also learn to watch thy mouth. A pretty mouth like yours, should stay pure, shrew."

My fangs began to grow and pierce my lip, drawing a bit of blood. My claws extended and scratched my knuckles, forming a small bruise.

"I would beat thee, but then I would infect my hands, thou offal pup!"

I knew I hit a nerve. Werewolves hate being called pup or kitten. It means that they are weak and cowardly. Dominance is an important quality among werewolves. I smirked and tried to hold back a giggle as snickers were passed throughout the room. I was quite satisfied with my insults. This man should think twice before messing with a royal. My brothers told me that a male's ego is sacred to them. And then by damaging their ego, I would easily win.

"I believe thou art stepping out of line." The man began to inch closer to me, the shadows began to fade off of him.

"Away, you three inch fool, you starveling, you stock-fish!" I kicked my legs out towards him. Another pass of snickers went about.

"The wee girl's quite the fighter, aye mate." A man said while laughing. I smiled.

"Let's see how the boss will handle her." The second man nudged the other playfully.

"I bet you three pounds, that the wee lass will make the boss cry!" With pleasure, I thought.

"You're on!"

I mock bowed my head, and winked, slightly, making the others cheer. They were enjoying this as much as I was. These men must dislike the coward as much as I do.

The man tried to recover and compose himself. "Now, Nyx. I don't appreciate thou's behavior-"

I cut him off. "Go and prick thy face, thou lily-liver'd mutt!" I nearly laughed saying this one.

"Thou better stop, before I flaw your fragile, pretty face."

I mocked a yawn. "More of your talking would infect my brain." I would have crossed my arms in triumph if I could move my arms.

This was too fun! Would this man get to the point already! The angry man stared at me with murderous eyes and finally stepped into the light. I saw a scarred face with a thin and unhealthy pale figure.

I pretended to throw up. "I am indeed sick when I gaze upon thee."

"Enough!" The man slammed his hands down and black shadows blasted throughout the room. He's not a mutt, he's an amateur shadow vender.

"I've had quite enough of your games, Nyx. Now thou shall die tomorrow. I was going to save thee the pain by making it quick, but because of your pathetic insults, I shall see it is quite painful."

The man flicked his wrist at the other men making the men emptied out in the room, leaving me and the man alone. Then he leaned in close to my face and held my chin, caressing it.

"Such a shame. If you weren't a Nyx, pretty one, I would have asked for thou's hand in mating. Pity. I forgot to introduce myself, Nyx. I'm Jonah, son of Jonah Eres-"

I spit in his face. "You think I care, pup!" I laced my words with such venom. I just want to get out of here.

Ryland.

Then I remembered Draven's apology. Finally he accepted me as his sister.

He gave me a look of disgust and turned away.

"Goodnight, dark one." He turned to leave and then there was a small knock on the door.

A group of men entered. They were not the boys I met before, the ones that laughed. They were serious and had dark flakes in their eyes.

"Looks like we have company, princess."

"Boys, this princess needs to be taught a lesson. Do what you wish with her."

As soon as he left the room, the tallest man untied me and grabbed me by the hair, throwing me against the hard floor.

"Wake up!"

I was hit hard against my head. My clothes were tattered, my face filthy with dirt. The men hovered above me, like towers.

Then my mouth was covered.

Breathe, Snow.

•

"Get up, Nyx."

My head was pushed against the cold hard wall. I groaned as I attempted to lift my body from the ground in the cell. My legs ached. Then the memories of last night flooded through my mind. I shed a tear.

"Hold still, you Nyx."

Virginity is simply a thought, right? It doesn't matter that I was... I can still consider myself a virgin. I have that right.

"Why are you crying? You're lucky the boss said to keep you alive. I think it's because you're far to pretty to kill."

The virginity of a princess is sacred to the kingdom. It's traditional that princes and suitors would mate with virgins. I can pass myself off as one, right?

"Art thou going to moan, Nyx? Moaning and enjoying this will make this better for me."

My brothers. If only they could here me. I want out. Last night was the worst night of my life. The whole day even. I was kidnapped after I found out I was a bastard Nyx, and now I lost my virginity to some offal dogs. If I could turn back time I would. It's a pity that I don't have the ability of chronokinesis.

I was so lost in thought I didn't notice the man impatiently walking up to me.

"Up, Nyx. Now."

He snapped his fingers and two men came over and yanked me by the hair to my feet. I cried out in pain as they grabbed my arms and tied them with rope. Normally I would be able to break through them, but I felt so weak, why bother. They'll grab me again.

The men pushed me and forced me out of my cell, leading me through the dark and putrid halls of the cellars. I still didn't know where I was. Was I still in Scarlet? Was I in the rogue countries. Not the rogue countries, because rogues don't speak normal. Only through mind links. Rogues were immortals that submitted completely to their primal instinct. The animal side to all immortals that makes us strong.

The rogues were immortals that chose to submit to the primal instinct. As far as everyone knows, once you submit, you don't come back. Most rogues submitted out of force or grief. That always made me pity them. I couldn't kill a rogue, no matter how much I tried. I never knew why, though.

"Walk."

I was snapped out of my trance when the guard pushed me roughly on my back. I came out of the hallway to see the dark of night. A crowd of people had gathered holding up their weapons.

"Kill the Nyx."

Those were the first words I heard before groups of food and trash were thrown at me.

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