26. Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Six
Victoria
I slump to the floor after Elijah leaves the room because my legs no longer able to support me. His words echo in my mind, each word feeling like a physical blow. ‘Either you leave here with a ring on your finger or in a body bag.’ The finality of it, the utter lack of compromise makes my chest tight with panic.
Wrapping my arms around my knees, I’m trying to stop the trembling that has taken over my body. Part of me wants to scream, to rage against the injustice of it all, but what good would that do? They’ve made it abundantly clear that my feelings, my desires, mean nothing to them. I’m only a prize to be won, a possession to be claimed. The worst part, I know they’re right. There is no going back to my old life. Even if by some miracle I manage to escape, how could I ever explain what happened here. I can’t, that’s the simplest answer.
“Fuck.” I mutter as I curl even more into myself. I know after everything that’s happened, my life will never be the same. How could I think I could go back to being the person I was before all of this? There’s no way I could put the things I have witnessed in the back of my mind, lock it all up with a tight key and forget everything. I don’t want to remember any of this, but sadly that isn’t how life works.
I must stay strong and hope I can survive the other tests they have in store for me. Putting all my strength into not breaking down in front of them is my main focus. Rubbing my eyes, I will the tears that threaten to escape, to go away. I can’t break, not yet.
Just as I lay down and curl up to try and get some kind of sleep, I hear the door swing open again, quickly sitting up, annoyance raging through me as I flick some hair out of my face. I see Jasper standing in the doorway, a frown on his face as he looks me over. Glaring at him, “What now.”
Jasper gives me a small smirk, "Just checking in on you…. There's a storm coming, so I thought I’d drop something off.” He drops a blanket over me, making me blink up at him.
“Why are you giving me this now, and not when I first arrived in this cell?” I inquire, generally not knowing why I’ve been given a blanket now.
“There’s a storm coming through and it gets drafty in here. We don’t want you getting sick when you’re so close to the end.” Jasper grins as he crosses his arms over his chest.
Eyeing the blanket warily, I’m not sure trusting this sudden act of kindness is a good idea. "Thanks, I guess," I mutter, still not making a move to take it.
Jasper's eyes take on a dangerous glint, along with his smirk almost shark like. "You should be more grateful, little bird. We don't have to give you anything."
I bite back a sharp retort, knowing it'll only make things worse. Instead, I force myself to nod. "You're right. Thank you for the blanket."
Jasper's grin softening, but the predatory glint in his eyes stayed. "You're most welcome, little bird. Though, I could always stay and keep you warm myself if you’d prefer."
I tense at his words, instinctively pressing myself further against the wall. "No thanks," I say quickly. "The blanket is fine."
Jasper chuckles, the sound sending chills down my spine. "Suit yourself. But my offer stands if you change your mind." He winks at me, his smirk growing as he sees how uncomfortable it making me.
Staring at Jasper, the words he spoke finally sinking in, "You had said… close to the end? " I echo, my heart rate picking up. "What did you mean by that?"
Jasper's grin widens with a knowing predatory gleam in his eyes. "It means you're nearing the final tests, little bird. The ones that will truly determine if you're worthy of joining our family."
I suppress a shudder at his words. "And if I'm not deemed worthy?" I ask, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it.
Jasper's expression turns into an amused look, as if I said something funny. "I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
My brows furrow at his words, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Jasper gives a small snort as he looks me over. “You’ve done so well so far; I have no worries about you not being able to pass the tests that are to come.” I don’t know how I feel about him being so sure I’d be one of them.
All I can do is stare at Jasper, as I’m unsure how to respond to his confidence in me. Part of me is relieved that he thinks I’ll pass the remaining tests, but another part's deeply unsettled by the implication that I’m becoming what they wanted me to be.
"You sound awfully sure about that," I say cautiously. "What makes you think I'll pass?"
Jasper's eyes continue to study me. "You've shown remarkable resilience and adaptability so far. Most girls would have broken by now, but you're still fighting. Still thinking strategically." He pauses, his grin once again turning predatory. "Plus, we've grown quite fond of you. It would be a shame to lose such promising potential… way more than anyone else that has been chosen.”
I frown, not liking the implications of his words. "How many others have there been?"
"Curious, are we?" Jasper smirks, his eyes alight with amusement. "Let's just say we've had our fair share of... unsuccessful candidates over the years."
Jasper's casual tone when discussing the ‘unsuccessful candidates’ sends a chill down my spine. I can’t help but wonder how many women have died here, because of being subjected to these cruel tests and twisted games. Once again, I find myself swallowing hard, fighting back the wave of nausea.
"And what happens to the 'unsuccessful candidates' ?" I ask, even though I already know the answer. I need to hear him actually say it.
Jasper's grin widens, a cruel glint in his eyes. "I think you already know the answer to that, little bird. You've seen firsthand what happens to those who don't measure up.” He pauses as his cold eyes regard me curiously, "What do you think happened to them, little bird?”
Once again fighting back the familiar waves of nausea that threaten to overwhelm me, "You killed them all," I whisper.
"Give the girl a prize," Jasper says mockingly. "Though 'killed' is such an ugly word. I prefer to think of it as... culling the weak."
Shaking my head in absolute disgust and anger, "You're all monsters," I whisper, unable to keep the disgust from my voice.
In an instant, Jasper’s across the room, his hand gripping my throat as he slams me against the wall. His grip on my neck isn’t suffocating, but enough to make me stay in place and not move.
“Careful now.” He mutters as he squeezes my throat to let me know who was in charge. “I may like you, but I also don’t like being called such names. I have been very patient with you and your temper tantrums.”
“Temper tantrum…you aren’t the first to call it that.” I hiss out, trying to get out of his grip. Jasper releases a hum, as his fingers curling tighter around my neck as he leans further into my personal space. His breath fanning across my face.
“Because that’s what they are. You’ll be cured of those as time goes on…” He leans in his lips barely brushing my own. “Now be a good little bird in a cage. Sit pretty and do as we say.”
I hold my breath as Jasper's lips hover just above mine, my heart pounding in my chest. His grip on my throat tightens slightly, a reminder of the power he has over me. I fought against the urge to struggle, knowing it’ll only make things worse.
"I'm not a bird in a cage," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "And I won't just sit pretty and do as you say.
Jasper's face takes on a hard and dangerous expression, as a low chuckle rumbles in his chest. "Oh, but you are, little bird. You just haven't fully accepted your cage yet." His free hand came up to stroke my cheek, the gesture gentle in contrast to the bruising grip he has on my throat. "But you will. In time, you'll come to see that this cage is exactly where you belong."
“Why do you want to keep me in a cage?” I ask softly, eyes zoning in on Jasper. I’m curious and Jasper’s been the wild card. The one that seems to be the most unhinged out of everyone in the group.
“Because you will be my wife, my brother's wife …ours. ” He mutters almost fondly as his eyes seem to warm up as he looks me over, his hand giving another squeeze as he brings me closer to him, so his mouth fully connects to mine.
I freeze as Jasper's lips press against mine, my mind’s reeling from his words and actions. The kiss is surprisingly gentle at first, a stark contrast to the bruising grip he still has on my throat. But then he deepens it, his tongue demanding entrance as his other hand slides from my cheek to tangle in my hair.
I’m trying to turn my head away, to break the kiss, but Jasper tightens his grip, holding me in place. A small whimper escapes me, muffled against his lips. I hate how my body’s responding, a traitorous warmth is spreading through me, despite my mind's protests.
After what feels like an eternity, Jasper finally pulls back, his eyes full of desire as he looks at me. "See? Your body knows where it belongs, even if your mind is still fighting it."
Keeping my eyes tightly closed, I shake my head trying to clear the unwanted fog from my mind. My lips are tingling from Jasper's forceful kiss, and I hate the way my body responds to his touch. "No," is all I’m able to gasp out, my voice hoarse. "This isn't... I don't want this."
Jasper chuckles darkly, his hand finally releasing my throat to trail down my body. "Your lips may say no, but your body is saying yes," he murmurs. Using his fingers to ghost over my chest. "I can feel your heart racing, and see the flush on your cheeks, little bird."
Flinching at his words, hating that there’s some truth to them. My body had betrayed me and continues to betray me. Responding to his touch despite my mind's protests is a gross betrayal. I feel ashamed and angry at myself for it. I turn my head away from him, unwilling to meet his intense gaze.
"It's just a physical reaction," I say, hating how breathless I sound. "It doesn't mean anything."
Jasper’s dark chuckles fill my cell as he finally releases his hold on my neck. He’s keeping me pinned between his body and the wall. "Oh, but it does mean something, little bird. Your mind might still be fighting, but your body knows the truth. It knows where you belong."
Glaring at him, hoping the anger and disgust warring inside me shows through, "I don't belong to you or anyone else," I state. Finally finding my voice and being able to sound firm, I lock eyes with the man before me, "And I never will."
Jasper's eyes quickly flash dangerously, followed by a low growl rumbling in his chest. "You will belong to us," he snarled, his hand coming up to grip my jaw tightly. "One way or another, you will be ours little bird."
I try to jerk away from his grasp, but he’s holding me firmly in place. "No," I spat, glaring defiantly into his wild eyes. "I'd rather die than be yours."
A dark chuckle escapes Jasper's lips, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and frustration. "Oh, little bird," he purrs, his thumb brushing across my lower lip. "Don't you understand yet? You’re in our world now. There's no escape. No going back. Your only choices are to adapt and thrive with us, or..." He trails off, his eyes darkening ominously. I can tell where he’s going with his words. Jasper purred, his thumb brushing across my lower lip again. I take a quick and sharp breath in, fighting the urge to make another biting remark. I know better than to do that again. Jasper’s definitely the wild card and not afraid to show violence. I don’t know anyone here that well, but with the interactions, I’ve had…none of them are to be underestimated. Not at all. They’re each intimidating in their own way.
"No," I whisper, my voice shaking slightly despite my efforts to stay strong. "I won't let you break me. I won't become what you want me to be."
Jasper's lips brushing against my neck sends a nauseating chill down my entire body. "Oh, we don’t want to break you. I told you before I want someone willing.” His hand trails down my side, coming to rest on my hip as he pushes me against the wall more, his other hand still firmly around my neck.
“You may be fighting now…but it’s only a matter of time little bird before you give in. It’ll just take a little time.” He lets me go, letting my body stagger forward and I’m able to catch myself before faceplanting onto the floor.
“Now, be a good girl.” Jasper teases, his dark eyes sparking with emotion. “Gather your energy…for the next test you’ll need all the willpower and fire you have shown us until now.” He gives me one last look before giving me a shark-like smirk, “Good night, Victoria.”