Chapter 22
Seda
(Some time later)
“I’m baaccckkkk,” Alexi called in a sing-song voice to Seda as he twirled the keys around his finger. “Sorry that took me so long. I know you must be thirsty and hungry. And as much as I would love to spend some special time with you, you have an important date ahead and must clean up.”
Seda remained sitting on her filthy bed, staring at the opposite wall. She did not give Alexi the attention he so desperately wanted from her. Let him come in. Alexi clicked the lock open and walked to her, bending down in her face, his red hair falling over his brow.
He stuck his nose onto her throat, right below her ear, and breathed her in.
“Fuck, how do you smell this good after being here and covered in his disgusting filth?” He reached down into his pants and grabbed himself, groaning.
“I wish I had more time, darling, but Lord Mordred wishes to see you.” He removed his hand from his pants and gave her left breast a tender squeeze.
Seda did not shirk away from him and instead remained staring blankly at the wall. The events from earlier replayed vividly across her mind.
“Do you hear me, you fucking weirdo? Lord Mordred is here and wants to see you. Get up. Now.”
Seda shifted her focus to him, and he gasped, stepping back. “What the fuck happened to your eyes? They’re glowing!”
She had no idea what he was talking about, but she didn’t give two fucks what he thought he saw. She glanced back at the wall and slowly got to her feet, holding out her wrists for Alexi to unlock the chains.
“Do you no longer talk? I asked you what happened to your eyes.”
When she didn’t answer, he slapped her across the face. Her head jerked to the side, and she gradually turned her eyes back to him, holding out her wrists once more.
“Whatever. I have to get you to Mordred. He can handle your insubordination.” He inserted a key into the lock on her wrists, and the chains clanged off.
She barely registered the relief on her bloodstained wrists from the removal of the tight cuffs.
She followed him out of the cell and past Elco, who was asleep at the end of the long, vast hall.
She looked at him as he opened one eye slightly and watched her pass.
Alexi opened the metal door, and the hot, fresh air under the blazing sun assaulted her skin.
She squinted and looked at the scene ahead.
The central courtyard was large and covered with sandy ground.
What caught her attention was not only the number of Rozzers hanging around or the many malnourished people sitting in small circles, but also the serpent-like monsters dressed in the same Rozzer uniforms patrolling alongside them.
Of-fucking-course there were monsters here.
They had blue scales and walked upright like humans. Their teeth were sharp, and they carried a variety of weapons. She narrowed her eyes when she saw one of the monsters whip a screaming man tied to a post at the end of the courtyard.
She did not look away.
The courtyard was lined with rows of metal doors, much the same as her own, and at the far end of the yard was a large metal door with a golden handle.
She let out a quiet sigh of relief upon seeing that no children were nearby.
“This way,” Alexi said as he roughly pulled her arm to follow him.
He led her to a small door and opened it. A large, shared-style bathroom with a row of empty showers lined the right side of the wall. He entered with her, grabbed a torn towel, a worn dress, and a small pair of shorts, like underwear, from a nearby shelf, threw them at her, and ordered, “Shower.”
He roughly closed the door behind them, remaining inside.
She walked to the nearest faucet and turned it on. Lukewarm water gushed from squeaky pipes. Alexi stood back and watched her with a wicked grin. She looked at him, refusing to break eye contact as she undressed. His eyes traced along her body when she was bare, and she saw him harden in his pants.
Disgust surged through her, making her stomach churn.
She stepped into the lukewarm water, pumped soap into her hands from the dispenser, and lathered herself. She washed everywhere as Alexi watched.
Let him watch. Let him see what he can never have again. The dried blood washed off Seda’s body, revealing her flushed skin underneath.
He unzipped his pants, pulled out his skinny cock, and groaned as he stroked himself. He stepped toward her, staring intently at her breasts, when the door shot open. A Rozzer walked in and looked at both of them, saying, “He is waiting.” The Rozzer quickly left without another glance toward Seda.
Alexi stepped back and grumbled, “Hurry up. At least those fucking eyes went back to normal.” He zipped himself back up.
Seda turned off the water, dried herself off, then pulled the scratchy dress over her head and put on her underwear. She walked barefoot to the door. Alexi opened it, and he pushed her from behind, directing her where to go as his fingers trailed over her body.
They approached another door and stopped.
Alexi knocked firmly on the door, which looked just like all the others, and then opened it. “She is here, Lord Mordred.” He pushed her inside roughly and closed the door, leaving her alone with the lord for the first time.
Seda cautiously stepped into the luxurious room, where rich leather and dark wood created a warm atmosphere. Mordred stood in the corner reading a book, then turned to look at her.
Her heartbeat pounded quickly in her chest, yet she compelled herself to remain upright and kept her gaze steady.
His eyes studied her, and the scars on his face deepened.
“I’m sure you have questions,” he said as he placed the book down on a nearby table. “I unfortunately cannot answer all of them.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. Oh, she had fucking questions, alright.
“I can’t tell you why you were chosen, as it would disrupt plans already in motion, but…” he picked up a crystal glass filled with golden whiskey and took a deep drink, exhaling loudly when he finished. “You will not be harmed while you’re here.”
What? Had she not already been smacked and subjected to horrors no one should ever witness in their lives? What about the others? What about Esper? What did he want? Why was she special?
“Why do you not actually protect our people, Mordred?” She took a step forward and casually strolled around, searching for anything that looked like the dark stone Elco told her about, and running her fingers along the bookshelves.
“What are you looking for?” He asked, ignoring her question, and gently setting his glass on the side table.
He stepped closer toward her and paused at his desk.
She regarded his mangled ears and grimaced at the deformity.
She now saw who he really was, and she hated this man, who was ugly both inside and out.
How could she ever have prayed to him before and looked upon his image with love?
“Are you looking for a dark stone, Seda Arbor?” he asked with an excited grin.
Her stomach lurched. Was she really that obvious?
She calmed her emotions and stared him directly into his eyes, noticing for the first time the color. Not crimson like she saw the other day at the Wyrd, but a soft amber.
He noted how she didn’t answer and hummed thoughtfully.
“The stone you seek is powerful and used to control. The stone is more than that, though. The dark stone once belonged to the Mother Goddess. Her power is within, as well as in others. Her power was acquired when she betrayed humanity.” His eyes burned crimson again, and he shook his head, his eyes changing back to amber.
“Why do you hurt the people of Joro and feed them to these monsters? The people you’re supposed to protect?!”
Gone was her trepidation over talking with him, replaced with surging anger that radiated through her bones. She felt her chest vibrate.
His eyes flared crimson again as he stared at her menacingly, the scars on his face crinkling.
“Humanity is nothing but food, Seda. Humans must be farmed to ensure the monsters survive. Humanity became too confident a thousand years ago, thanks to the help of the gods. Humans and gods alike almost killed off the monsters, and they almost won, but when things got too difficult, the gods fled! Life requires balance, yet the gods left us with an unbalanced world. We had to make peace with the monsters. And so the dome was born. The dome, which protected humanity from being slaughtered all at once, continued the cycle of life.”
Seda regarded him and his words. If the humans and gods almost won, why would the gods leave?
“Why did you ask to see me?” She was standing still, watching his every move, every flick of his eyebrows, the way his eyes would flash brighter and then dim.
“Because Seda Arbor, you have something I want,” he grinned at her with his sparse teeth.
“What could I possibly give to you?” she sneered, feeling her hatred slip past her lips.
He didn’t answer for a long time. He walked around his desk and approached her. He brushed his fingers through her hair, gazing down at her softly with his amber eyes. She fought her flinch.
“Redemption,” he whispered as he stared at her, not saying anything further.
She raised her eyebrows. “Wh…” The door flung open, and a serpent creature strode in.
“There is a fight in the courtyard, sir.” Mordred looked toward the serpent and back to Seda.
“Take her back,” he strode through the door with his long legs and black robe trailing behind him.
“Wait! My friend was taken. She had a stillborn baby yesterday. Is she alive? Where is my father?”
Mordred turned around and looked at her without emotion. “He’s dead.” He left the room, and her heart sank into the pits of her stomach. Her eyes burned as tears began to form. She was losing her strength. She promised herself she would be strong, but the way he said that… so uncaring. So evil.
She followed the serpent creature back toward the door to her hall. When he opened the door, she pushed through her emotions and bravely commanded, “I want the lights on in here, and I want food and water. I also do NOT want to be chained to that wall.”
The serpent looked back at her and stuck his tongue out in the air, smelling Seda. “Who do you think you are to talk to me like this?” he replied in a slithering voice, his eyes narrowing on her.
Elco approached from behind, towering over them. He snapped his teeth at them and growled. The serpent turned and fell back toward the door, shrinking away. Seda stood tall and confident as Elco loomed over both of them.
The serpent clicked on a switch that lit lamps down the long hallway.
Then he led Seda back to her cell, opening it for her.
He locked the bars behind him and left, quickly returning with a fresh bucket of water and a plate of food.
He opened the door and set both the pail and the food down, quickly locking the door again.
When he left the hall, the lights remained on, and he closed the metal door roughly.
Seda sat on her bed with a plate of food in front of her. She grabbed the piece of bread, reminding her of her mother, and tears began to pool in her eyes as she chewed through the crunchy crust.
Esper was gone. Her father was gone. She was alone in this horrible place. She might never see her family or Cahir again, but she was proud of herself today, and she held onto that small flicker of hope that burned in her chest.
Mordred wanted something from her. She didn’t know what yet. She would find out one way or another. Today, she did not cower with Alexi as she usually would have. She spoke to Mordred, not stuttering once, and she advocated for herself with the serpent creature.
If she could do that, she could do more.