7. Cassia

7

CASSIA

" D ance for us, human," one of them sneers, his voice dripping with disdain. "Show us what you're worth."

I'm back in the cage again, trapped in this twisted nightmare. The dark elves circle around me, their eyes gleaming with malice. They reach through the bars, trying to touch me, to claim me as their own.

I shake my head, refusing to give in to their demands. But they won't take no for an answer.

"Come on, little whore," one of the elves says, reaching through the bars. "Show us what you human bitches were bred for."

I'm too preoccupied to pay attention to their taunts. I'm waiting for him, the orc who saved me in my dreams. But he doesn't appear. I wonder why tonight is different. Why has it gone back to the way it was before?

The dark elves grow impatient with my silence. One of them grabs my wrist and yanks me toward him, slamming me against the rusted bars. I cry out in pain, feeling like nothing more than a piece of meat.

"You will do as we say," he hisses, his breath hot on my face. "Or you will suffer the consequences."

I try to pull away, but his grip is too strong. I'm trapped, helpless in the face of their cruelty.

"Let go of me," I demand, but my voice shakes with anger and fear.

The elves laugh, their eyes glinting with amusement. "What have you been feeding her?" one of them sneers. "She's grown too defiant."

"We'll simply have to show her what happens to whores who don't listen," another one says, his hand slipping between my thighs.

I cry out, trying to pull away, but his grip is too strong. "Fuck you," I shout, my voice echoing through the room.

"Lay back and I'll do just that."

A sudden crash sends tremors through the floor, followed by a cacophony of screams. The air fills with dust, obscuring my view of the elves and the other prisoners. I seize the opportunity to break free from the elf's grasp, stumbling backward as my heart races. What is going on? This has never happened before.

A massive shadow emerges from the cloud of dust, growing larger with each step it takes toward my cage. My heart pounds in my chest as I squint, trying to discern the figure through the haze. Suddenly, a colossal orc materializes before me, his imposing frame dwarfing the dark elves.

He is unlike any creature I have ever laid eyes on. His deep green skin is marred with scars, and his long black dreads are tied back in a neat braid. His piercing eyes seem to see right through me, and he exudes an aura of intimidation. Yet, there is something about him that draws me in, something that feels oddly comforting amidst the chaos.

As the dust settles, I can make out the orc's features more clearly. His chest is bare, revealing a tapestry of muscles that ripple with every movement. A jagged scar runs down the center of his torso, a testament to the battles he's fought and won.

His arms are thick and powerful, each one covered in intricate tattoos that seem to dance in the flickering torchlight. His hands are massive, with fingers that could easily crush bone.

A massive axe is strapped to his back, probably bigger than I am. It's almost as big as he is, with a blade that gleams in the dim light. The handle is wrapped in leather, worn from years of use. It's the weapon of a true warrior, someone who's seen more than their fair share of bloodshed.

The orc's eyes lock onto mine, and I feel a jolt of something I would call pleasure if I didn't know any better as it zips through my body like adrenaline. There's something about the way he's looking at me, like he knows me. Like he's been searching for me.

I feel the scream climb up my throat, but it doesn't come out. Instead, I find myself saying one thing.

"Gorthak."

Suddenly, I'm jolted awake, my heart pounding in my chest as a scream wretches itself from my lungs. My hands fly to my throat as if I can stop the sound from coming out. The haunting image of Gorthak's gaze lingers in my mind, making it hard to breathe.

The door to my room flies open, hitting the wall and bouncing back, but the man in the doorway stops it from slamming shut. I lay my eyes on the Master, and a new scream starts to form in my throat. His elven frame fills the doorway, and my heart races at the sight of him as the memories flood my mind.

With no bars separating us, he can do whatever he wants to me. There's no one here to stop him, no one coming to save me. And what does he do? He asks me what's wrong.

"Why are you screaming?" he asks, his voice filled with concern. But his eyes are narrowed, accusing.

Aren't they?

"I… You… He was…" I stutter, trying to catch my breath. "It was just a nightmare, Master, you… You didn't need to come in."

He looks around the room, his eyes narrowing. "I came because I thought there was an intruder." He scans the room, his hand resting on the hilt of his battle-axe.

And what? Was he going to fight them off to save some slave? I can't help but feel a pang of anger at the thought.

You aren't a slave, Cassia. Those are just dreams. I remind myself, trying to calm my racing heart.

The Master's gaze softens as he looks at me. "Why are you screaming at figments of your imagination, Cassia?" he asks, taking a step closer.

Why does he know my name? He's never spoken to me, not before that day by the windows.

I back up, trying to get further away from him. "It won't happen again."

He studies me for a moment, then nods. "Good."

Yet I can't help feeling that this is anything but.