This chapter didn't turn out like I thought it would... and I frankly don't know why. Maybe it was the fact that I recieved so much positive feedback for my last chapter... or because some of that feedback was from my two favorite authors (* because I was too STARSTRUCK to write *)
Either way, I hope you enjoy it
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Alistair had ordered Elijah to follow, and having no other choice, he did. Eli moved slowly, eyes flickering from the torches that lined the cave walls, to the dark depths, to the strong figure walking only a few feet in front of him.
Eli tried to avoid staring at him, but his eyes always seemed to wander back to the beautiful creature. He looked upon the lines of his neck, the broadness of his shoulders, and the strength of his back. Eli had to stop himself from looking any lower.
"Why," he thought to himself "am I looking upon this beast as I would look upon a boy from the village?" He did not know what feelings should well up from the thought, but not many did as his attention was brought abruptly to his surroundings. The long, cramped tunnel had turned into an open space and when Eli's eyes adjusted to the dim lighting he gasped.
The cave was completely furnished and decorated. It had separate rooms with actual stone doors between them, some were open while others were closed. It was a cozy home.
Eli froze. No. Not a home... this is a lair, a place where evil dwells, the place he will keep me captive. It's a lair. It's hell. It's... He repeated these thoughts over and over again in his head trying to cloud what clearly in front of him was a charming home with elegant décor.
In the middle of tearing apart the room with his eyes, a hand grasped his shoulder. Eli spun and was faced with Alistair's stare. He lowered his eyes, not only out of fear but because he sense that was the right thing to do in this situation.
"Good boy" the creature whispered into his ear. "That's it, relax now." His hand that still grasped his shoulder lightened and his fingers moved in slow circles against him.
Eli shivered. He thought to himself "mmmm... that feels so... wait no! I'm scared... I'm cold... I'm not... No!" Shame overtook him as he felt himself start to harden. He cursed under his breath.
"What was that, my sweet?" Alistair inquired.
Eli felt the anger in him start to rise. "Don't call me that. I'm not your anything. Not your 'sweet', not your 'prey' I'm just a sacrifice. I'm not even YOUR sacrifice."
Alistair sighed. "I expect manners and respect from you, Elijah"
"Respect is reserved for those who deserve it. It's not for beasts like you."
Before Eli knew what was happening, he was pinned face down against the cold, hard wall of the cave. He heard a snarl behind him.
"I will not tolerate this language. You will refer to me as Master. I will refer to you as whatever I please. You are now mine, deal with that fact how you will, but know that it is true and always will be. Mine." With that, Eli was released. He fell to the ground from the abruptness of the action and lay there shivering as a tear fell from his eyes. The last word had broken him and all his resolve and bravery fell to pieces. A few seconds later he felt a brush on his cheek.
"Stop. Just stop!" Eli cried out. "Leave me! I just want to go home!"
Alistair sighed at the sight before him. The poor boy was beyond confused, he could see that, but breaking the news to them was always a tricky aspect. He wanted to get to know the boy better before he tried to approach it. Unlike the others which he needed to hunt down, chain up and just wait out on until their struggles ceased, this one came in strong and proud now laid in a sobbing heap on the floor. Even he didn't know how to react to this. He regretted being so rough with the boy... He stopped himself with that thought. What was he thinking? Regret. No. This was his property... wasn't it?
He picked the boy up, and placed him on the couch. Eli resisted but the little fight he had left in him was quickly being washed away in tears. Alistair placed a blanket over him and stepped back, sat in the chair facing Eli and simply watched him. He wished he could hold Eli in his arms and comfort him, but he knew any touches would just make it worse. Every movement seemed threatening to the young boy.
Alistair paused and thought inwardly why he was taking so much care with this one. Was it because he was the youngest he had ever received? Was it because he was the prettiest? Or was it simply because he had been waiting so long for him that he was prepared to take this one slow? Whatever the reason, he just sat there and waited.
Eli wondered briefly through the tears why Alistair had put a blanket over him, laid him down, and left him. It was a caring gesture. Eli's throat caught at that. Oh god. What is he going to do to me?!? The tears finally stopped and he opened his eyes. He looked upon Alistair and closed his eyes again.
"When you are ready to talk, beautiful, call me and I will come"
Eli opened his eyes to look at him but Alistair was gone.
Eli sat there for hours, not knowing if he should cry, run, or scream. No option seemed at all productive so he took the easiest route, he cried. He thought of his parents, and friends in the village, of the animals on the farm. That was all gone now? Why?
His father's last words ran through his head. "we all thank you... be strong"
His was saving the tribe by giving his life... or at least at the time that's what everyone thought. He came up this mountain expecting a painful execution from an ugly beast and now is shown compassion from a gorgeous creature that denies that he will harm him? Why was he miserable and crying?
The tears slowly stopped. I must call for Alistair and make him explain, he concluded.
"Okay... I'll t...talk"
No reply.
"Hello?"
Nothing.
"Alistair?"
Silence.
Then he remembered what Alistair had said, swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and yet managed to only whisper it out.
"M...Master?"
In a flash Alistair was there sitting before Eli.
"Yes?" he asked.
"I w...want to t...talk about it" Eli stuttered
"Talk about what?"
"W...what do you w...want from m....me?"
"I want all of you, but mostly your companionship."
"T...then why did you c...call me your p...prey?"
Alistair sighed wishing he hadn't used that word, "We can talk about that later. Right now, we need to take care of you. You look tired, and weak. When did you last eat?"
"A f..few d...days"
"Oh my! Why so long?"
"I was t...too nervous to"
Alistair couldn't help himself as a little smile crossed his face.
