Shadowborn Prison (Dark Fae Paranormal Prison Series Book 1)

by G. Bailey

  I say thanks and hop off the bed, making my way into what I think is the bathroom. The room is huge with a waterfall shower, clawfoot tub, gorgeous vanity, and a three-piece suite. Sheesh. When Gold said this floor was ‘only the best’, he wasn’t kidding. What fighting for your life can buy you. I have a feeling I’m going to be spending a lot of time in this beautiful tub.

  I run the taps and strip off my clothes. Grabbing the robe hanging on the back of the door, I wrap myself in the plush material and wait for my bath to finish running. The steam from the hot water streams up, turning my face pink, but it’s just the way I like it. I throw my robe off and slip into the bath, settling down with a contented sigh.

  I must spend at least twenty minutes in the bath, soaking up the warmth and luxury. When I step out of the bathroom, unwrapping my hair from its towel, I find a food tray on the foot of my bed. I sink down on the soft mattress and wolf the casserole down. That’s one thing that always surprises me post-Blood Trials—still having an appetite.

  I glance at the digital clock on the wall. It’s only gone four-thirty. Back home, that would’ve been a good time to hop into some fluffy pajamas. If only I had some. I tighten my bathrobe and walk over to the wardrobe, pulling the doors open. I expect to find the bland clothing I was given on day one. What I find is something completely different. There are actually colourful items of clothing hanging on the velvet hangers; pink chiffon blouses, green and blue T-shirts, navy jeans, autumnal sweaters, and various other items, including two-piece pajamas and a onesie.

  All my size—all for me.

  My eyes sting with tears. It’s so stupid to get emotional over this. I fought hard for it, literally with my life. I don’t deserve to be in this prison. But after what I’ve gone through, I deserve to live like a normal person again, even if that only means some new clothes.

  I take my time looking through the wardrobe. Curious about the drawers, I open them all but they’re mostly empty. The top one has all my belongings from the cage. I grab some fresh underwear and go back to the wardrobe, deciding to wear the woolen pink dress and skinny jeans. Actually, it’s probably just a sweater, but it drowns my small-ass self. I have at least three hours of downtime before lockdown, and I’ll probably leave my room soon, so I pull out a pair of soft, light navy jeans to avoid any unwanted attention. I already get enough as it is, and it’s not because of my hot body. It’s because they see me as a threat.

  I hear the door opening and I grin. This is the kind of attention I do want. Instead of rushing into the bathroom to change, I untie my robe. It puddles onto the floor around my ankles and I turn around so that I’m facing Luke when he enters.

  “Well, fuck, if that ain’t a beautiful view…”

  “A-Axel!” I grab the dress and cover my body with it, looking over at him in horror. Well, not in complete horror. It is Axel, after all, the hottest inmate in this prison.

  Luke barges past him and Memphis—oh fuck!—and into the room, grumbling, “Any normal person would change in the bathroom!” Whipping around to face the guys, he orders, “Look the fuck away. There’s nothin’ to see here.”

  “Oh, there’s plenty to see,” Axel says, sweeping his lustful gaze over my body. “And Daddy likes.”

  Memphis rolls his eyes and spins him around. I should totally be mortified, but it’s so funny that I can’t help but laugh. Luke’s irate expression and Axel’s gooey eyes just made my week. Still giggling to myself, I bundle my clothes up and dash into the bathroom, quickly changing. I find a hairbrush on the vanity, and I drag it through my wet hair. It’s annoying how the bristles always hit my collar. Opting for something different, I twist my hair into two braids. Wow, wild.

  “What are you here for anyway?” I ask the guys as I step out of the bathroom.

  “We came to congratulate you,” Memphis says from beside the sofas.

  “And I brought booze.” Axel sets down a bottle of whisky and drapes an ankle over his knee, his hands clasped behind his head like he’s Selena’s gift to women. Wouldn’t be too far off. A mischievous grin plays on his lips. “Time to celebrate, cutie.”

  I sit next to Axel on the sofa and glance nervously at Luke. “I thought you said no booze ever?”

  He shrugs, walking over from the kitchen with a tray of glasses. “You won the Blood Trials. You deserve to celebrate.”

  Axel throws his head back and laughs, the sound deep and infectious. “Mate, she fucking slayed that arena. Everyone keeps banging on about it.”

  I beam at the compliment, feeling surprisingly relaxed after my bath. It’s the most relaxed I’ve felt since I came here. Luke sets the tray in the middle of the coffee table and takes the bottle of whisky from Axel. He prepares a round of drinks. His knuckles are blanched and his throat keeps jerking. I don’t think he’s at all comfortable. Why would he put himself through this just for me?

  Pulling my legs up onto the sofa, I turn to Memphis. “What do you think? How’d I do?”

  His mouth quirks into a lopsided smile. “You owned it, kid. Did us all proud just like me and Axe knew you would.”

  Luke breathes heavily through his nose, apparently not in agreement. He hands each of us a drink, and we take a moment to sip in slightly awkward silence. I think what we’re missing right now is some music. Since the only person in here who can magic is Luke, I ask him.

  “Music?” His forehead creases as he looks around.

  “Yeah, music. We can play it quietly though so Gold doesn’t hear.”

  Axel snorts and throws back his drink. “That Draconian can hear through every wall in this prison. Nothing gets past him.”

  A cold draft creeps into the room. I feel it trickle down my spine and lift the ends of my hair ever so lightly. Odd. There aren’t any open doors or windows in the room. I take a huge gulp of the strong whisky, nearly finishing it, and choke at the overpowering taste. The very second I catch my breath, someone knocks on the door.

  I push off the sofa, laughing. “Okay, Luke, who else did you invite? Warden Kyle?”

  My stomach clenches at the prospect. Please, Goddess, no.

  Luke manages to get some music on the tv, and I walk over to answer the door. A shudder wracks through my body when I pull it open only to find Gold standing in the doorway. It’s like I felt his presence before anyone else in the room. He’s no longer wearing the clothes he donned in the arena, nor the face painting. In the short time since I last saw him, he’s freshened up into a sharp black suit with a blood-red tie, and he’s slicked his hair back, but still a few loose strands brush against his temple.

  His unusual eyes peer over my shoulder at the guys. “Ahh. I thought you were having a celebratory gathering.” His gaze snaps back to meet mine. “Might I at least join in to congratulate this week’s winner?”

  “But, sir—I mean, Gold, you’re, umm, well… the governor!” I blurt out, a ferocious surge of heat assaulting my cheeks. Why in the name of Selena would the governor of this hellhole want to join our party?

  Gold clicks his fingers and three boxes of pizza appear in his hand.

  “Come on in,” I say, yanking the door open so wide I nearly break the hinges.

  Gold places the boxes onto the kitchen counter, dusts his hands, and walks over to the guys. I close the door and follow him. He sits on the sofa that hasn’t been claimed by any of the guys. As soon as he leans over to pour some whisky, his attention diverted, Axel mouths “What the fuck” to me.

  “Governor Gold,” he greets out loud, forcing a smile. “Come to join the fun?”

  “No. I came to spoil it and make everything awkward as shit with my presence.” He places his hands on the back of the sofa, ever so slightly lifting a brow. “You know I can sniff through walls as well as hear. Whisky’s my favorite. It’s Luke’s, too, isn’t it?”

  Luke rests on the edge of Gold’s sofa. “Seize the day, Gov. Ain’t that what you always tell me?”

  Gold chuckles, glancing at him. “Yet you rarely listen.”
r />   “Only when you’re right.” Luke winks and lifts his glass to the governor.

  Their informal exchange is nothing that I expected. I look between the two. You’d almost think they were friends instead of what they truly are.

  “I thought your name was Alex,” I point out, deliberately sliding onto the sofa beside him. “Or rather, Alexander.”

  “I did say that.”

  “So you lied?” I challenge. “You said you hate lies.”

  “I never lied. My middle name is Alexander, first name Zavier.”

  I lift my legs up onto the sofa again, regretting my decision to wear jeans. I bet showing some flesh would really work in my favour right now.

  “That’s good to know…” Axel looks over at Memphis, who’s already standing up to grab a pizza box. “Fancy a slice, Gov?”

  Gold nods, and Axel settles back on the sofa. The tension between the guys is visibly suffocating. Figuring I best change the atmosphere stat, I clap my hands and stand from the sofa.

  “Wait! I have a better idea. More booze, anyone?”

  If in doubt, get everyone drunk ASAP.

  “Fuck yeah,” Axel says. “Good call, cutie.”

  Gold slides him a curious glance that leisurely rests on me. “Cutie?”

  “What? I am cute,” I say, fluttering my lashes at him. “Admit it, sir.”

  He scoffs and watches me pour the drinks. Memphis comes back with a pizza box and extra glass, which he hands the latter to Gold. Axel bounces off the sofa to reach for Memphis’ opened pizza like it’s a pot of gold, but Memphis moves his arm out of the way.

  “Get your fucking own,” he grumbles. “You don’t get this size sharing food.”

  Axel mumbles something about being a tight ass and makes his way to the kitchen, probably to stake claim on an entire pizza.

  “Here you go.” I pass Gold his drink. “So, why are you really here?” I probe him, sinking back into the sofa.

  I watch him sip his drink and swallow the contents with a sigh, his eyes dipping as if savoring the taste. You’d think he’d never tasted whisky before. Surely he can drink as much alcohol as he wants in here? He’s the governor. It’s only inmates that have to smuggle things like this in…

  “The Gov always stops by to congratulate the winner,” Luke explains, throwing back the rest of his drink. I hear it gulp down his throat. “Usually he’s the one who brings the booze.”

  “And usually you’re the one who drinks most of it,” Gold chides, shaking his head. He waves his hand and three bottles of wine appear on the table, complete with five crystal glasses. “In ancient times, the king or queen would have given the winners a necklace with the Star of Luna on it. It was their reward for becoming their warrior. Now I don’t have any of those, but I do have wine that gets shipped to me from King Cyrus. It always goes down well with the winners.”

  “It’ll certainly go well here,” Memphis comments, putting his pizza aside to crack open a bottle. “Do you drink wine, kid?”

  I nod at him, fully aware of Gold’s eyes still pressed on me. “Yes. My mother was a big wine drinker. She insisted I become fluent in it when I turned sixteen.”

  To my surprise, they each laugh at my joke. The alcohol must be kicking in because they start to chat amongst themselves, which is a major relief. I thought this whole night was ruined when the governor walked through the door. Now I’m beginning to think I might actually be able to kill three birds with one stone here. I have Luke, Axel, and Gold at my side. If I could get them to let their guards down, who knows what will happen?

  I pretty much have Luke’s attention already, but I need to be careful not to lose it. He has a tendency to get jealous at times. I don’t understand why. I mean, there’s plenty of me to go around. Gotta admit though—seeing a guy’s protective side is a huge turn on for me. Jealousy, not so much, but that ‘I’m claiming her, too’ protectiveness? I’m so down for that, and I totally get those vibes from Luke. I just don’t think he’s ever managed to differentiate between feeling protective and jealous. Note to self: Must help the sexy warden fix that.

  I’ve also seen the way Axel looks at me. He’s not so much jealous as he is eager to rip my clothes off and fuck me against the wall. He’s actually the one I relate to the most so far in this prison. I feel so safe in his company. He’s the loveable, big giant who I bet isn’t afraid to spank a bitch when she’s been naughty. Oh, I really hope I’m right about him. I think he could be some fun while I’m incarcerated here.

  And then there’s Zavier Gold, the governor of Shadowborn Prison. Everything about him should send me running for the hills. I should hate him and want nothing to do with him. The only thing I should want to see is his corpse rotting in the ground. And yet, right now, right here, I want him to kiss me. I want to feel his hands threading in my hair and his lips against my mouth.

  How can I be thinking like this?

  He’s the one who created and clearly loves the Blood Trials. It’s just an ancient tradition to him and the fae. It’s suicide for most of the inmates and luxuries for the winners. The winners who he then takes wine to for putting on a grand display and not being slaughtered.

  That’s fucked up.

  What’s more fucked up is that his presence doesn’t repulse me as much as it should.

  I frown into my glass, swirling the remains of the alcohol around. I know Professor Mune would tell me how all great people need to make great sacrifices to achieve the greater good. Is sacrificing my moral compass great enough? What if I need to sacrifice more? What if… what if I need to give these men my heart just to get my freedom?

  “A kid like you shouldn’t be frowning.”

  I flinch out of my reverie and look up at Memphis who’s holding out his hand.

  “I’m no good at dancing, kid, but I’d rather make a twat of myself than see you look sad.”

  He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I swallow the last of my drink and take his hand. He lifts me effortlessly onto my feet. The music is rock with light jazz undertones, yet Memphis twirls me under his arm like we’re at a fancy ball. Maybe it’s all the twirling, but the whisky has started to hit me, and I laugh, completely forgetting about my worries from before. I’m glad Memphis only wants to be my friend. That’ll give my poor heart a much-needed reprieve. Plus, I get my silver-fox fill with Professor Mune. He’s someone I’ve had my eye on for months, and I don’t plan on giving up anytime soon.

  The music shifts into edgier beats, and Memphis lets me go to refill our glasses, this time with wine. I’m all happy now and carefree—exactly what I’ve been itching for since this entire nightmare began. As soon as I throw back the wine, Axel takes my hand and spins me around into his arms. He brings our bodies closer, so close that our hips press together and his hand lands on my ass. He gives a firm squeeze that makes me squeal in delight.

  I move my body to the music, sliding Luke a veiled glance to gauge his reaction. He’s too busy drinking and talking to the Memphis to notice we’re breaking prison rules. But the governor is watching us dance, his entire expression wiped clean of emotion, apart from his eyes. I know what burns within them.

  Lust.

  Desire.

  Want.

  I twist in Axel’s arms, pressing my ass against his hardened cock. I hear him growl in my ear and grab my hair, forcing my head back as we grind to the beat. All the while, I look into Gold’s eyes, my gaze never once moving from his. Slowly, the corners of his mouth upturn into a grin, and I know I’ve finally got his attention.

  The song changes. Axel spins me around so that I’m facing him again, bringing our noses inches from each other.

  “I want you, Izora,” he tells me, loud enough for only me to hear over the music. “I want every fucking inch of you.”

  I grin, sliding my palm down his muscular chest. “I know you do.”

  My fingers just reach the band of his jeans when a hand that is definitely not Axel’s clamps on my shoulder. Luke rips me from Axel’s g
rip and drags me back.

  “No touchin’—”

  “—other inmates,” I finish off for him, groaning like some petulant child. He’s such a total buzzkill. “I’m sorry. But look at that handsome beast. Can you really blame me?”

  The guys laugh, and even Gold smirks.

  “Stand down, Luke,” he orders, then turning to me, warns, “Behave, Izora. Don’t make me regret bringing you wine. Winner or not, you must abide by prison rules.”

  As if you weren’t enjoying it.

  I seize an unopened bottle and hug it to my chest. “Don’t take it anyway! Not the wine—anything but the wine!”

  Goddess, I really am fucking drunk. There’s no way I’d act like this otherwise.

  But that’s the thing.

  I miss drinking and partying and feeling like a normal soon to be twenty-year-old. It’s crazy how much you miss things once they’re gone. Or doing things once your freedom has been taken from you.

  “I’ll be back in a moment,” I say, blinking my tears away before anyone catches on. I forgot I get emotional when I’m drunk.

  I rush into the bathroom and lean against the closed door. I thought having some alcohol would help me relax, not make me a total weak ass. Yeah, my life has been destroyed. I have no home, family, or friends once I get out of here. That doesn’t mean I have nothing. There are people in this forest who built more from less. Things will be different in the mortal world, sure. I won’t have Axel or Memphis in my life, or even Luke or Gold. But I’ll have my magic—something the wardens can’t take from me unless they bury me six feet under.

  All I need is my powers. With them, I can clear my name from outside the forest, and avenge those who wronged me. I will do it. It’s only a matter of time. The best part of all? The wardens can’t stop me because, in the human world, their rules no longer apply. I can fight them back, and this time I’ll have nothing to lose.

  “Izora?” Luke says through the door, knocking twice. I barely step back and open my mouth when he pushes into the room. He sweeps his gaze over my body, pausing on my face. “Have you been crying?”