Dark Illusions: The Beginning

by Ariana Browning

  Kober waited a moment before he answered. “You need to calm yourself, Julian. You will do no good to anyone if you are so angry. I understand your frustration. We cannot change how it happened, but we can, and will, fix it.”

  Julian marched around his desk and sat on the edge facing Kober. He took a moment to calm himself before proceeding, “It is repulsive for me to think of her alone with him. We tried to protect her from Vincent and now she is stuck with him. She shouldn’t have wandered off on her own.”

  “Yes. I feel the same way as you do, Julian. I cannot bear to think of what he plans on doing with her. Or what he wants do to her. I could rip him apart at the thought. I will try to find out where he took her myself as well. I am sure Cage will have news soon.”

  Julian nodded. “Do it. We need to find her soon, Kober.”

  “I am aware of that. I have a bad feeling.” Kober left the room, leaving Julian alone.

  Eighteen

  It’d been over a week since Vincent’s men brought Kat to the warehouse. She sat in his office in the chair opposite him—at his desk—listening to him tell her how he expected her to behave.

  She’d given up trying to get away from him. Scars and bruises on her face and wrists were healing, but her arm still hurt from when Vincent had last grabbed her and threw her across the room two days prior. He’d found her trying to find a way out of her room, and he reminded her she would soon be his queen—

  “I don’t know what you expect from me, but I don’t plan on ever being your mate, you disgusting pile of shit.”

  “How dare you talk to me that way.”

  Vincent grabbed her and threw her across the room with a strength she couldn’t have imagined, and one definitely not like any human she’d ever met. She slammed into the dresser and collapsed onto the floor. She struggled to sit up and face him. The pain gripped her entire body. Her arm throbbed and she hugged it close.

  Vincent stormed over and grabbed the injured arm, yanking her to her feet, eliciting a cry from her.

  “Don’t ever talk to me that way again. Know your place.” Vincent threw her back down to the floor and left her there as he stormed out of the room—

  Kat rubbed the bruise on her arm where it had come in contact with the edge of the dresser that day. The arm was no longer as painful, but the bruise was a daily remainder of his strength. He’d never shown inhuman strength like that and she didn’t want to provoke worse, if he had that. It ceased the fight in her . . . for now.

  “Are you listening to me?”

  Kat jumped. Vincent’s voice snapped her out of the trance she was in. “Yes. I am,” she answered in a soft voice, keeping her head low.

  “I’m sure you are. You’ll learn.” Pointing to the desk, he said, “Come sit on the desk in front of me.” Vincent leaned back in his chair, a foot away, testing her.

  “Why would I—”

  Vincent sat up and slammed his fist on the desk in front of him, causing her to jump. “Now.”

  Vincent leaned back in his chair and Kat ducked her head. She slowly removed herself from the chair, her last moment of safety, and meandered over. A dark smile spread across his lips when she sat on the edge of his desk, as ordered, awaiting the next move. It entertained him how much she didn’t want to be there; her face spoke volumes.

  Vincent watched the obedience, pleased with himself. If only Cyrus could see this. He watched his future queen submit to him, satisfied he’d chosen the right woman. I can’t wait to make her mine.

  Vincent stared at the woman sitting on the edge of his desk. She was beautiful and he found no way to resist the prize that sat before him. Why should he when she belonged to him?

  He stood up and stepped closer, taking her knees in his hands, and shoved her legs apart so he could step within. Silent screams echoed within her eyes, wishing he wouldn’t touch her as he towered above her small frame, and it added to what he felt. If he wished to, he could crush her with ease. She shrunk further inside beneath his gaze, sensing his thoughts.

  “You are so beautiful,” Vincent said, looking down at her. He reached up to caress her cheek, admiring her.

  “Don’t,” Kat whispered moving her face away from his touch.

  Vincent’s face contorted with rage. He reached behind Kat’s head and grabbed her by the hair, the other hand wrapping around her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.

  “What have I told you? You are mine. That means I may do as I wish. You cannot stop me and should you, we shall repeat the other day. You will give me what I want.”

  Kat’s eyes watered. “You’re hurting me. Let me go.”

  “I’m sorry? I could not hear you.” Vincent forced her head back further and Kat cried out. A tear fell down her cheek.

  Vincent leaned down and licked it, causing Kat to cringe. A small whimper escaped her as his mouth moved from her cheek to the tip of her nose. Another tear fell when his mouth moved from her nose to her mouth.

  His lips landed on hers and he placed a small kiss there. Pulling away enough to growl, “Kiss me back.”

  As Vincent went to kiss her again she muttered a small, “No.”

  He pulled away enough for her to see his eyes change from his normal hazel to a deadly orange. She could see he was changing. Into what, she was afraid to know.

  “What?” he asked, despite having heard her just fine.

  Kat’s scalp burned. She was sure the hair was coming out of her head. She didn’t know why she fought him. She wouldn’t give in to him unless she were dead, that’s all she knew. With the last bit of fight in her, she told him, “I’d sooner kiss a corpse.”

  The last sound Kat heard was the ominous snarl elicited from deep within Vincent’s chest that didn’t sound in any way human. It sounded more like a wolf about to rip her face off.

  Easily raising her from the desk, he hurled her across the room, with more strength than the last time. She landed hard. Too hard to get back up. There was no feeling in her body and her arms didn’t want to work. Blackness engulfed her world.

  Nineteen

  Kat opened her eyes, her head throbbed. She couldn’t move at first and she panicked. I’m paralyzed! The numbness wore off and the pain set in. Her arms, her back, her legs. Every inch of her body screamed in agony; she didn’t think it’d ever let up.

  Someone else was in the room. She didn’t want it to be true, but the fear that engulfed her told her who was there. Her hand shook as she brought it up to her head. Someone played a drum solo in her head and she tried to quiet them down by rubbing her temples.

  Kat raised her head, then her shoulder blades off the mattress to look down toward the foot of the bed. Her back screamed, her world spun, and she was sure she’d throw up. Wincing, she lowered back down, taking a few deep breaths.

  Vincent had his back to her at the foot of the bed. Trying to turn to her side increased the pain and she moaned. It didn’t feel like any of her bones were broken, but parts of her were definitely sprained. That she knew. She hurt so much her body refused to cooperate. She had no idea how long she’d been unconscious.

  “What do you want? I hope you don’t think I will forgive you,” she whispered through a mouth as dry as the Sahara.

  Vincent turned around to glare at her. “Why would I ask for your forgiveness? You are pathetic. You did this to yourself.”

  “‘Scuse me? I just hurled myself across the room all by myself? Last time I checked, that was you.” Kat fought the pain to push herself up on her elbows and glare at him. She couldn’t hold herself up for long and fell back against the pillows.

  Vincent gave her a vicious smile. “Yes, it was. And you keep speaking to me as you are, and I will pull you from that bed to do it all over again. Think your body can take it again so soon without breaking?” He stood up off the bed and turned around to face her, his body loomed over her like a beast about to strike its prey for the last time.

  Kat faced the wall to keep him from seeing her lip tremble.

&nb
sp; Vincent walked over and sat on the edge of the bed in front of her. “Now, as we were discussing. You need to understand that you will get the same treatment from me again if you act up at the meeting of the clans. I have no problem with showing Julian how you treat a misbehaving woman.”

  Kat’s attention was grabbed at the mention of Julian’s name, but she turned away before he noticed the look in her eye. If Julian and Kober hadn’t tried to come after her by now, she doubted they would. If they’d known where she was, would they have left her here?

  It must be how Vincent continued to stress to her. That Julian wasn’t coming for her. Since she was with Vincent, there was no reason to keep her from him. That was the only reason they did all that, right? To keep her from him?

  Now that she was with him, what more was there for them to do? She hated to admit it, but she knew she was stuck with him. Her lip trembled again and a single tear fell down her cheek.

  Vincent knew what she thought. “As I’ve said, you are mine. Julian wants nothing more to do with you. Hurts, hmm? That he would treat you the way he did—which I’m sure you thought was just for you—and not care you’re with me. Maybe now I can expect some obedience? As I said, if you don’t, I will beat the fight out of you. Right in front of everyone. They will enjoy me torturing you. You believe Julian will do anything about it?”

  Vincent waited a moment before he prodded, “So?”

  Kat bit her lip as more tears escaped. She tried hard to suppress them, but she couldn’t do it. She nodded before she thought about it.

  “Good, then we understand one another.”

  He walked over, brushed her hair away from her face, and kissed her cheek. She leaned further away from him.

  “You do something like that to me in front of everyone and you can bet you will be sorry. You understand?”

  Kat let out a quiet whimper and tried suppressing the tears. Vincent moved across the room to the door, paused, and upon her confirmation that his words hit home, he left.

  She was alone. May as well admit it. She was stuck with this man and nobody cared.

  Grabbing a pillow and burying her face, she wept, her body shaking with the sobs. She didn’t want to let everyone hear the pain she felt. Her world was getting smaller and smaller by the minute and she didn’t know how she ended up here. Why did she deserve this hell? What had she done in her life that was so wrong?

  What would happen when Vincent Awakened her as they called it? Was there any way she could prevent it from happening? Probably not. What would happen to her? What would she become? How would it feel? Would Vincent turn her into a monster like he was?

  She was so miserable and scared.

  And worse. . . .

  She was alone.

  Twenty

  The day of the meeting between the clans, Vincent left an outfit on the bed for Kat to wear. The dress was—of course—seductive. Simple and black, floor length, body-fitting, with a low back and plunging neckline.

  It had been a while since Vincent’s men had brought Kat to him. Three days since Vincent threw last her across the room. She fought him, but not too hard. He was too busy—luckily—so he didn’t bother her much, preferring only to come in and harass her before he had to deal with business.

  Her body was still sore, but she was okay. Her jaw sported a small cut, hidden under her chin as a reminder. Proof of what Vincent’s anger could do.

  Kat reached for the dress and put it on. Just as she pulled it up, Vincent gave a quick rap on the door. She yanked it further up and went to zip it when he entered. She turned her back toward him, not wanting to look at him, but only ending up inviting him—or so he thought—to walk over and help her.

  Vincent took hold of the zipper and dress, but he didn’t zip it up. Instead he let go of the dress, reached up and pushed it off her shoulders.

  Gasping, “No!” her hands flew up to grab the dress before it fell. Too late. The dress puddled in a heap on the floor. All that stood between him and her were the heels on her feet Vincent left for her to wear.

  Kat shivered in disgust and fear. She hated standing naked in front of him. She was horrified. Vincent reached up and stroked the back of his hand along her bare back. Goosebumps erupted along her arms from his touch. She heard him growl that inhuman growl of his.

  His hands grabbed hold of her and twisted her to face him. She kept her defiance up despite feeling horrified to face him with no clothes on. How dare he make me feel this way.

  In spite of her wearing heels, he still towered above her.

  “I can feel your fear and hatred.” Vincent smirked. He seized her chin and made her face him.

  “Your point? You don’t exactly earn points when you strip me naked.”

  “Kiss me.”

  “Why? Cause I’m naked? My desire for kissing you still has not changed.” Her gaze searched his face, wondering how far she was able to push.

  The muscle in his jaw pulsed. Vincent held his anger in check, but it was a struggle. He reached his other hand up and stroked her cheek. He dropped it down to her shoulder, then her chest, stopping on her stomach where it lingered and stroked. He watched her for a reaction.

  She swallowed. Her mouth was dry. “If I kiss you, will you stop?”

  “For now.” His eyes sparkled. He’d known she’d give in if he pushed her limits.

  Kat stood up on her toes and reached for his mouth. He pulled away a moment, then reached his hand up behind her head and crushed her mouth against his. She opened her mouth to protest and he deepened the kiss.

  His mouth engulfed hers. She moaned as she heard a growl escape him. His hand moved from her stomach to her bare back , moving her further against his body. The cloth of his suit pressed against her bare body, revealing his hunger. Underneath that was a body of stone. The muscles of his body constricted and tightened with barely restrained desire.

  She reached her hands up and placed them against his chest, shoving as hard as she could. Vincent let her go, which surprised her, but she was happy he did.

  “Wasn’t so hard was it? Hurry up, don’t make me late.” Vincent stroked her cheek, gave her bottom a pat, and left.

  Kat stood there a moment before bending down to her dress and pulling it back up to cover her body. Her eyes watered in disgust.

  Twenty One

  The clans gathered in a large room, circular and grand, painted in deep golden and bronze hues. In the center of the ceiling hung a huge antique chandelier made of crystal and bronze. Above the chandelier, a large painting of wolves chased each other in a circle. The art was painted in such fine detail that you could see the hairs of the wolves from the main floor.

  Columns were set about four feet apart along the outskirts of the room, and on the front of them were gold and bronze statues of warriors. Beyond them, a walkway spanned the entire length.

  On each of the four walls surrounding the room were sets of double doors. They led to other areas of the building; some led out to the main hall where everyone was located, and some led to the bathrooms.

  Stairs along one side of the main room ascended to a simple circular walkway, which overlooked the entire room, and sat on the top of the columns. A wrought iron railing kept you from toppling off the edge. A set of glass doors exited out onto a balcony, which looked out over the street. Just a simple place to grab some air, away from the main room.

  A few armed men patrolled from above, keeping watch over all the Awakened to be sure everything remained political and no fights broke out. The tension was thick in the room. Few times did any Awakened enter a room without someone coming out bloody, or worse, dead.

  It wasn’t that bright in the room, despite the warmth of the colors. The chandelier cast a warm glow, but no furniture could be found within, no windows were built along the walls. Had there been, they wouldn’t have offered light since night had fallen. A place made to serve as a meeting area for the clans, and nothing more.

  Vincent stood with his men in one area of the
room, and other clans grouped together in their own corners. Kat stood at Vincent’s side. She wasn’t sure why she was there, or where her place was, but the arm clamped around her waist told her enough. She didn’t know what they were waiting on, only that they waited on something, or perhaps someone.

  Vincent turned toward her while he talked to his men and stroked her cheek. He smiled and she turned away. She didn’t want to incite his anger. She remembered his warning and didn’t plan on being thrown against the floor, and if she could avoid it, in front of the entire room. Vincent grabbed her chin and she flinched. He leaned down and kissed her. When she didn’t reciprocate, he let her go with a sneer, then went back to talking to his men.

  Kat glanced around at the other clans. All the clan leaders—the ones who’d sat at the table when she first met Julian—were there. The man wearing the leather jacket and the woman who’d smiled at her, neither of whom noticed her.

  A shadow moving beyond the columns caught her eye and made her heart skip a beat, her pulse raced. He danced in and out of her vision in slow motion.

  Julian.

  His name whispered in her head, her heart skipped another beat at the sight. He was there, then he was gone, he was there, then he was gone. She was riveted by the sight of him, her gaze glued to him.

  Julian—her heart called out to him.

  Julian was watching her. She didn’t know how he knew she was there. He was watching her while he strolled beyond the columns. Nobody else existed in the room while he surveyed everything.

  Please—she wished he would walk over and take her away from Vincent. Seeing him, those eyes, that mouth. Julian.

  Vincent’s hand tightened around her waist, grabbing her attention. I hate you.

  Kat returned her gaze to the columns and Julian was gone. Looking back to Vincent made reality smack her in the face. She only wished Julian would come. He wasn’t really there and the realization that it was a fantasy made her heart sink. Her world collapsed in on itself.