14. Cassia

14

CASSIA

" M aster?" I ask tentatively as he escorts me from the servant's quarters. "Might I ask… well, what is this task you would have me do?"

The Master simply takes me down the hall to a drawing room, where a group of wealthy-looking dark elf nobles are waiting. Their eyes rake over me, and I feel like a piece of meat on display. They make me stand on a stool in the center of the room while they begin to circle me, inspecting me.

I can't help but feel completely repulsed by their behavior. "This is incredibly poor taste," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Know your place," the Master snaps.

My heart starts pounding violently in my chest. "I am a maid, sir," I say, trying to remind him of my position in the household.

A maid. Not a toy for pleasure.

He sneers at me. "You will be whatever I tell you to be."

I feel a cold shiver run down my spine. My dreams seem to be blurring into my reality, and I'm terrified of what that means.

One of the nobles steps forward and runs a finger down my cheek. I flinch away from his touch, but he only laughs. "She's feisty," he says to the others. "I like that."

I've heard that before. In my nightmares.

I can feel the panic rising in my chest. I don't know what's going to happen to me, but I know I can't let these men do whatever they want with me. I have to find a way to escape.

I take a deep breath and try to calm myself. I need to think clearly if I'm going to get out of this situation. I look around the room, trying to find something I can use to my advantage.

I stand there, frozen in terror as the dark elves discuss me like I'm a piece of property to be traded. "She's a good souvenir," one of them says, and I feel my stomach churn.

"The Naga prince will be pleased with this human as a bribe," another adds, and I can't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. What do they mean by "bribe"? And what kind of creature is a Naga?

"We'll take her," the first one says, and I feel a hand on my arm, pulling me towards the door. "Please have her washed, scented, and prepared first so that he can deposit his eggs inside of her."

Eggs? What the fuck is going on?

"Wait," I say, trying to pull away from their grasp. "What do you mean by 'eggs'? What is a Naga?"

The dark elves exchange a look, and then one of them turns to me with a sneer. "You don't need to know," he says. "Just do as you're told."

I feel a surge of anger rise up within me. I won't be treated like this, I think, determination coursing through my veins. I have to find a way out of here. But this time, there is no dream orc to come to my rescue.

I bolt towards the door, my heart pounding in my chest. The dark elves call out furiously behind me, but I don't stop. I can't stop. I have to get out of here.

"You promised she was obedient!" one of them shouts to the Master.

"She's been lively as of late," he snaps back.

I don't have time to process their words. I'm too focused on getting away. I race through the halls, my bare feet slapping against the cold stone floor. I've never been off the manor property before, but I don't let that stop me. I'm determined to be free.

As I run, I can't help but think of Gorthak. He's the only person who's ever shown me kindness. And if he's anything more than just a figment of my imagination, I'm going to find him.

I finally reach the front door and throw it open. The cool night air hits me like a wave, and I take a deep breath. I don't know where I'm going, but I know I can't stay here.

Before I can take another step towards freedom, I'm tackled to the ground by the Master's servants. They're on me in an instant, their rough hands grabbing at my arms and legs, pinning me down. I struggle against them, but it's no use. They're too strong.

The Master and his elven entourage stride towards me, their expressions contorted with fury. The Master lashes out, his hand searing my cheek with a brutal slap. I recoil, a cry of anguish escaping my lips.

"You should have remained asleep," he snarls, his words laced with venom.

Baffled by his cryptic remark, I push the confusion aside, allowing my rage to surface. I defiantly spit in his face, my eyes blazing with defiance.

He retreats, wiping the spittle away with a look of revulsion. "You will come to regret that," he vows, his voice low and menacing. He turns to his servants, issuing his orders with a cold, calculated precision. "Take her to the dungeon. Prepare her for purchase."

In that moment, my heart sinks, the gravity of my situation becoming all too clear. I struggle against the iron grip of the servants, desperate to break free, but it's no use. They drag me away, their laughter echoing in my ears as I'm swallowed by the darkness of the dungeon.

No. This can't be happening. I scream and fight against the servants, but it's no use. They're too strong, and I'm too weak. They drag me down the hallway, my feet scraping against the stone floor. I can hear the Master's laughter echoing behind me.