Aya's POV
When I realized what I had done when I impulsively kissed Jin, I knew that I had to leave him behind no matter how much I wanted to stay. Enikil would have killed him as he had killed others that tried to touch me over the centuries. I just couldn't bare to see Jin suffer for something I clearly did. Because for a moment I let myself want to be like any other woman.
Why won't Enikil allow me to have a relationship with a man? Don't I deserve to at least try and find a love of my own? To soothe the emptiness that I feel in my heart and mind? He acts like a father, though his punishments are far more severe. For a God, Enikil is far too controlling.
Damn the Gods! They say they give so much to us when all they really do is take. Yet I remain faithful still. I am such a fool.
Sighing sadly, I turn back to spying on the men in the compound. In the long floor window of the farthest hut, I see the Good Father, Mako sitting cross-legged on a mat on the floor. My black eyes light up like a child getting their first taste of candy.
I do what I can to skirt around the other huts until I am directly in front of Mako, hiding in the shadows of the bushes at the tree line. His head tilts almost imperceptibly and he smiles.
~Come Aya, let's meet at last.~
I hear him call to me in my mind. So many years of communicating this way, to finally hear him..
I stepped out into the sunlight squinting my eyes at it's brightness. My black kimono and butterfly sleeved cloak surrounding me.
As I stride forward, men with swords, staffs and pikes hurriedly move toward me led by none other than Jin. Mako yells a plaintive, "NO!" As I let him see through my eyes. How close I was.. I'd almost made it.. I look to Jin in shock as I am brought down to the ground on my belly; I offer no resistance. There was no need for this.. The pain and hurt of a betrayal in my eyes. His features remained unreadable and his eyes cold.
Jin and Mako argue as my wrists, ankles and legs are tied up securely. The men lift up my body and take me across the compound into one of ten cells below the main dining hall. I am left manacled to a wall. Both wrists above my head and ankles, with a thick iron collar for my neck, the chain hanging looped from the ceiling. My kimono was cut and ripped open leaving me bared to the waist before they left.
Thank the God's my long black hair at least covered my breasts. Their rough treatment was so unnecessary it made me sad. While the presence in my mind screamed out for a violent retribution.
There are no windows in here. Stone walls, a stone floor, and metal bars in a small window set in a heavily reinforced door. The window gave off the only light. The cell smelled of stale sweat, urine, vomit, and fecal matter. The stench of old fear saturated the wall I was hanging on. Though I could easily escape, I hung my head in shame for having trusted. I gave this world no tears. I was too numb.
It becomes late as a few torches light the stone hallway outside, shining light through the bars in the door. I hear the voices of at least two guards. Their footsteps echoing off the stone walkway.. I take it back.. Three.
The tumblers move in the door as the key turns; my head rising up as all three come in, leaving the door ajar as they walk toward me, laughing at some hidden joke. One man setting a torch in a wall sconce.
They all smelled foul of stale sweat and alcohol. A filthy hand reached out and moved my hair aside so they could all gaze at my breasts. Uncomfortable, I backed up against the wall as much as I could.
"Come on pretty little vampire, let us play with you nicely. If not, we will be sure to cause you the greatest of pain.. " The guard's words trailed off as his hand settled on my left breast squeezing it hard. As his left hand cupped his crotch.
The presence started to pace behind my mind waiting for my weakness of fear. I had not resisted being captured and brought here by Jin. Where was he? I stayed chained against the wall because I trusted him not to let this sort of thing happen. Damn men! Damn you Jin!Instead I screamed loudly in frustration. I turned my head to the side and closed my eyes.
This must have egged them on as hands were all over me now. My jaw was grasped so hard; my head being turned back that I gasped as stale breath coming from the mouth that suddenly slanted over mine; my kimono separating as hands grabbed at my thighs, and rubbing over the treasure between my legs. Moving my mouth away, I gasped, screaming the word, "NOOO!!" as the sound of running footsteps reached my ears.. Jin?
Suddenly a brilliant flash of white light lit up the entire cell. A young voice sounding off as a blonde haired boy in deep blue hanfu appeared out of no where. "You dare touch what's mine?" Enikil smiled at the guards who began to scratch and rub at their bodies relentlessly, desperate to stop the pain in their veins.
"Please.." They looked at Enikil with fear in their eyes knowing what he was. Their clothing dropped to their feet in shreds as the itch in their veins increased.
Absolute amusement danced in Enikil's big blue eyes. Eyes that creased in the corners with gentle, evil laughter as he tortured the three men from within their own bodies. Boiling their blood, literally. But now he was getting bored..
Snapping his fingers, the sound of bone crushing, muscles, tendons, and ligaments tearing as the flesh that bound them all exploded; spraying blood against the surrounding walls, floor and Aya. The guards had been reduced to no more than strips of torn up meat, and flakes of bone.
There was the sound of skidding shoes at the door. Looking up, I saw Jin standing there open-mouth staring at the room, and The glowing figure of Enikil. I watched as Jin dropped to the ground in submission. "Only smart thing you did all day, boy." Enikil commented before winking at me and disappearing.
Sagging against the manacles at my wrists I refused to look up at Jin once he got up and approached me. "Aya.. God's, I am so sorry. I never meant for the guards to get to you like that.." his hand cupped my bloody cheek and his thumb caressed my cheekbone.
Yanking at the chains on the manacles, I pulled them free from the wall, releasing my wrists from the iron cuffs we called manacles. Then I kicked sharply with my ankles against the manacles, and they too snapped open. Completely free, I raised my eyes to his startled brown eyes. "I trusted you. Which is why I let your men capture me, even though I didn't agree with it. I trusted you to keep me safe in here, too." Reaching over my shoulder, I grabbed my long black hair to partially cover my body. "I need to clean up, then talk with Good Father Mako in the morning. You can help, or I suggest you get out of my way before I kill you.. Slowly."
Gently his hands came to rest on my shoulders from behind. I could feel the warmth of him through the cloak and my tattered kimono, it was heavenly yet sinful at the same time. As he spoke, it was softly toward the shell of my ear. "My concern was for your welfare and for the Elder. You had talked about your concerns about the vampire blood, I knew you would beat yourself up if anything happened to Mako because of it. Believe it or not, I was trying to help. I just wasn't expecting those men to act like sex-crazed lunatics. It was a mistake, and I am sorry."
Turning around in his hands to face him, it was my time for my face to appear unreadable. "Yet you did this, to a woman that both saved your life and protected you? I did not have to tell you anything about the presence in me and how vampire blood makes it stronger. But I did. I trusted you.. Perhaps I shouldn't have. Foolish me. But at least my loyalty, integrity, and honor are intact. Can you say the same?" I searched his beautiful brown eyes and found the answers I sought.
Nodding, I stepped away from the hands on my shoulders. "Just as I thought.." I whispered with deep sadness and regret, then turned on my heel and left Jin alone in the cell contemplating his error.
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Author's Note:
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