The Missing Luna

Chapter 7: Hope’s POV

Trigger warning! This chapter contains explicit torture, gore, murder, and psychological torture. Material that can be sensible for certain readers.

Readers' discretion is advised.

——————————————————————————

One week later…

I have no idea what Caelan is up to. He didn’t return after our last talk, and he didn’t even torture me.

Maybe he has a change of heart. Perhaps my suspicions were right, and he could feel the pain he was inflicting. I don’t know, and honestly, I don’t care. I would be happy if he let me rest and had enough energy to escape this place.

Jona and Elisa still give me water and food behind everyone’s back. They have also told me they are a couple, but the Prince isn’t aware of their relationship.

I asked them why they were helping me, but their answers were vague. I knew Elisa was doing this for a more personal reason, and I think Jona is helping her because he loves her.

I always thank them for what they give me; it has made my life more sustainable here.

Today, Cat came to take me out of the chair. I felt how my bones cracked when I finally stood up.

My legs wobbled beneath me, barely able to support my weight after being bound for so long. The room spun, and for a moment, I thought I might collapse. However, I stood my ground and kept my feet steady.

“Careful there, princess,” Cat said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Wouldn’t want you to break before the Prince gets his turn again.”

I gritted my teeth but said nothing. His presence was like nails on a chalkboard—grating, irritating, and relentless.

“Aw, come on, don’t look so sour,” he continued, his grip tightening as he helped me stand. “I’m doing you a favor. You’d get stiff if you stayed tied up like that longer.”

I could barely hold back the venom in my voice as I responded, “I’m sure you’re just overwhelmed with concern for my well-being, Cat.”

He chuckled; a low, mocking sound echoed in the empty room. “That’s more like it. You know, your sense of humor is coming along. Maybe we’ll make a proper demon out of you yet.”

My stomach churned at the thought. I could never become like them—like him.

But we already are.

That voice again. I thought she finally let me alone, I hadn’t felt her all week.

Cat dragged me across the room, his touch uncomfortably familiar by now. “Where are we going?” I asked, not expecting an answer.

He grinned, a wicked glint in his eye. “Somewhere special, princess. You’ll love it, I promise.”

“Why don’t you save us both the trouble and drop dead, Cat?” I muttered under my breath.

He laughed again, shaking his head. “If only, but you’re far too entertaining for that. And besides, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

My heart sank as we reached a set of heavy doors. The air around us grew colder and thicker with the scent of death and decay. Whatever was behind those doors wasn’t good.

“Ready for your surprise, princess?” Cat purred as he pushed the doors open.

As the heavy doors creaked open, a wave of cold air hit me, thick with the stench of rot. My stomach churned, but I kept walking, even though every instinct screamed at me to run in the opposite direction.

Cat’s grip on my arm tightened as he led me inside, his steps casual, almost jaunty like this was all just a game to him. But there was something different in his demeanor today, a gleam in his eyes that made my skin crawl.

“Welcome to your new home away from home,” he said, his voice dripping with that infuriating sarcasm. “I think you’ll find the accommodations… unforgettable.”

The room was dimly lit, but I could make out the outlines of what lay ahead. The walls were lined with chains and shackles, and the floor was stained with old blood. In the center of the room was a single chair, its metal surface slick with something dark and sticky.

Another torture room, how nice.

“What’s the matter, princess? Not a fan of the decor?” Cat sneered, shoving me toward the chair.

I stumbled but managed to catch myself before I fell. “You really go all out for your guests, don’t you?” I shot back.

He smirked, his eyes gleaming with twisted amusement. “Only for the special ones.”

Before I could react, he pushed me down into the chair, the cold metal biting into my skin. My wrists were quickly restrained by the cuffs attached to the arms, and I winced as they tightened painfully.

“Comfortable?” Cat asked, his tone mocking as he secured the last restraints.

It was a chair made of iron and silver, suppressing Kira further.

I glared at him. Cat wanted to get a reaction from me, but he would not get it.

“Good,” he said, stepping back to admire his handiwork. “You’re going to be spending a lot of time here, so I’d get used to it if I were you.”

The door creaked open again, and I tensed as I heard footsteps approaching. A chill ran down my spine as a tall, shadowy figure emerged from the darkness. Caelan.

His presence filled the room, suffocating, and I felt that familiar dread wash over me. I hated how my body reacted to him, how the mate bond twisted my feelings into something unrecognizable, something I couldn’t control.

“Leave us,” Caelan ordered, his voice low and commanding.

Cat bowed and quickly left the room. I have noticed how much control Caelan seems to have over everyone here; they fear him and try to get away as soon as he instructs them.

Caelan moved closer, eyes locked on mine with that cold, calculating gaze that always sent shivers down my spine. He circled me slowly like a predator sizing up its prey, and I could feel the tension coiling tighter in my chest with each passing second.

“I’ve been thinking about our last conversation, princess,” he said, his voice smooth but with an edge that made my skin prickle. “You seemed so sure of yourself, so convinced that you could ever escape."

I clenched my jaw, refusing to speak or give him anything he could use against me.

He smiled faintly, a cruel twist of his lips. “But I think it’s time we put that to the test, don’t you?”

Before I could react, he reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His grip was firm, and I knew it would leave a bruise, as he always did.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to speak or give him anything he could use against me.

He smiled faintly, a cruel twist of his lips. “But I think it’s time we put that to the test, don’t you?”

Before I could react, he reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His grip was firm, and I could see the dark hunger in his eyes—the need to break and see me fall apart.

“You’re mine, Hope,” he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. “And I’m going to make sure you never forget that.”

What the f**k was he going to do?

I thought he might try to take advantage of me, but instead, he pulled away and smirked.

"I am a monster, Hope, but even I know you are still a child. So," he walked behind me while my breathing quickened, waiting for what he had prepared for me.

Caelan’s footsteps echoed behind me, each one a reminder of the terror that lurked just beyond my vision. My heart raced, my breath catching in my throat as I waited, the silence between us thick with dread. He always knew how to draw out the fear, to make every second stretch into an eternity.

His voice was calm, almost conversational, when he finally spoke, which only made it worse. "You’ve been getting comfortable, haven’t you, princess? Enjoying the little kindnesses from your friends, thinking you could scheme your way out of here."

I stiffened, my pulse quickening at the mention of Jona and Elisa. They were the only sliver of hope in this hell, and the idea that he knew about them sent a jolt of fear through me.

Caelan walked around to face me again, leaning in close, his icy eyes locking onto mine. "Did you think I wouldn’t find out? That I wouldn’t notice my little princess trying to make allies in my domain?"

"Leave them alone," I snapped, the words spilling out before I could stop them. My voice was shaking, but I didn’t care. I had to protect them, somehow. "They’ve done nothing wrong."

A slow, sinister smile spread across his face. "Oh, but they have, Hope. They’ve been plotting against me. And you know what happens to traitors, don’t you?"

My blood ran cold. "No… Please, Caelan, they don’t deserve this."

He ignored my plea, turning to the side. With a flick of his wrist, the heavy door creaked open again, and I felt my heart drop as Jona and Elisa were dragged into the room by two demons, their wrists bound and faces bruised. They looked terrified, their eyes wide with the realization of what was coming.

"Here’s how this is going to work," Caelan said, his tone light as if he were discussing the weather. "I’m going to give you a choice, princess. You get to decide which one of them lives and which one… doesn’t."

"No," I whispered, shaking my head as tears filled my eyes. "You can’t do this. Please, don’t make me do this."

Caelan’s smile widened, and he crouched in front of me, tilting his head as if genuinely curious. "Oh, but I can, and I will. This is your test, Hope. You wanted to play the hero, so now it’s time to see how much you’re willing to sacrifice."

I felt like I was going to be sick. This was a nightmare—one I couldn’t wake up from, no matter how hard I tried. My gaze flicked to Jona and Elisa, both of them looking back at me with pleading eyes. They were my friends, the only ones who had shown me any kindness in this wretched place. And now I had to choose who would die.

"Please…" I begged, my voice breaking. "Don’t make me do this."

Weak.

I heard her again. Not now. I don't need her to tell me how weak and scared I am of my own power.

Caelan straightened up, his expression hardening. "Choose, Hope. Or I’ll kill them both right here, right now."

Their deaths will be in your hands; you are the reason they will die.

"Please, Hope, save her," Jona pleaded.

I looked at him and shook my head. I couldn't; how could I make such a decision?

Panic surged through me, and I choked on a sob. This was precisely what he wanted—he was trying to break me, to shatter whatever strength I had left. And I couldn’t let him win, but how could I possibly make this choice?

"I can’t," I whispered, the tears streaming down my face. "I can’t choose."

"Please, Hope, save Elisa!" Jona was screaming while Elisa sobbed.

What should I do? What can I do? I can't choose. I simply can't.

"f**k! HOPE! SAVE HER!" Jona kept screaming, but I couldn't utter a single word. Elisa, on the other hand, only sobbed harder each time.

"HOPE! DON'T BE A f*****g COWARD!" I looked at Jona, I wanted to tell him I wasn't one, but I couldn't. I was a coward, a freaking coward.

Caelan’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped back, crossing his arms as if he were losing patience. "Fine. Then watch."