Fractures of Eternity

Three cloaked men stood by our cell before one more would join them, catching my eye. The new male wore a smirk on his lips as he gripped the rails.

“Aw, did I hear complaining? Don’t be so desperate to leave. We haven’t even started yet.” The man mocked Thea, as the count of our foes was up to four.

A soft growl came from the wolf as Gerta stood up to face him.

“Are you the madman who kidnapped us?” The old woman questioned, trying to keep his eyes off us.

He ignored her, setting his grey eyes on me, sending shivers down my spine. They matched his obsidian black hair and pale skin, which was ghostly. He seemed to be a handsome man, yet his mind wasn’t friendly towards us. He wore a robe, similar to those used by priests during their holy lectures, featuring blue, black, and white as its colors. His pants were black, and the shirt under the robe was white.

“You, the girl the prince is fawning over, take off your dress.” He announced, smirking.

My eyes drifted to one of his companions, who appeared to hold a type of white cloth.

Hah… Don’t tell me you’re planning on sacrificing us? Pathetic.

“What?” I mumbled, pretending not to hear him.

All I needed was a mistake.

Will he like the damsel in distress or the feisty girl? Hm…

I had to figure out what made him tick, in the hopes that he would take me alone.

The man licked his lips, chuckling. “Oh, sweetie, you aren’t innocent. I know you heard me. Come here and undress for me.” He clarified, tilting his head to the side.

His voice was so soft that I couldn’t believe it was coming from someone so hostile.

Figures you won’t fall for easy tricks. After all, you’re from the same coven, but that doesn’t mean I won’t crush you.

“You fucking creep.” Thea snapped at the man, ensuring Luna was tightly smothered in her bosom.

This young Lycan was a minor, too, which meant I couldn’t allow him to prey on her, either, even though I didn’t want to go anywhere near him. I repositioned myself to stand up.

Noticing my movements, Gerta turned to me. “Vivian, don’t.” She voiced, shaking her head.

No…

“It’s fine, Gerta,” I assured her, prompting her eyes to shift away from me.

“Luna, go with your sister,” I added, getting up from where I was.

I had no idea if this was Jin or not, yet nothing he could do to me scared me. Though that didn’t stop, the little one held onto me tighter.

“No! He doesn’t feel good!” She squeaked.

Hah… I know… He feels like death itself, but…

Sadly, if I didn’t comply, then he would surely take it out on one of them.

“Vivian… never let the men know how strong you are. That way, when he least expects it, you strike!” Lilith’s words echoed within me.

That happened during an outing with her when I was only fifteen, and two men tried to pick us up. Lilith used it as a learning moment for me. Though, of course, she went out of her way to make it into a blood fest. In her defense, those men were pushy and even chased us into an alley, which ended with their organs decorating the wall.

“I’m not a patient man.” He cautioned, tapping his grimoire, prompting me to narrow my eyes.

So, you are a warlock… But are you the warlock or a follower?

Luckily, Thea knew better than her little sister.

“Luna! Come right here now!” She ordered.

The sharpness of her tone caused the little one to run over to her, with tears present in the child’s purple eyes, though.

“You can’t let them take her!” Luna cried at Thea, who hugged her.

“Hush… No one is taking anyone.” She smothered the small girl into her bosom.

A soft sigh left my lips as I hesitated before walking toward him. Gerta stood near me when I stopped a few centimeters from the bars he held, as I had to face him head-on. After all, I knew nothing he did to me would be permanent.

Nothing you could do to me will be permanent, but… Why is my skin crawling just being this close to you? Argh… If I hadn’t known about the rift, I wouldn’t have allowed myself to become a target. A slip… Sorry, Papa, it seems I got myself into some trouble, but don’t worry. Your little girl will get out just fine. I hope everything is still good on your end, though.

The rift was a bigger threat than this man could ever be, and that brought me some comfort.

“So, you want to see me bare? I don’t think it’ll appeal to you.” I smirked, grabbing hold of the bars in front of me.

Entice him… enough to separate myself from the others. Then… I’ll find they way to end you. If not… I need to buy enough time for their family to see us.

In response, he smirked back, grabbing the bars above my hands.

“Oh, why’s that?” He got closer to the cage, leaving me wishing I had something sharp to put into his eye socket, yet that alone wouldn’t have been enough to kill him.

Hah… Will I have to make a martyr here?

“Well, the prince is a bit possessive of me,” I informed him, prodding to find any information that could confirm he was the one I was looking for.

The first thing to win a battle was to identify your foe—a lesson Lilith taught me, along with how to seduce a man, yet with my looks, that was hardly necessary.

I could already see that this warlock was lusting for me. The look in his eyes was one I only welcomed from Loki, but in this case, I had to accept it from him. Yet, when a smirk rose on his lips, my stomach churned, leaving me wishing to press my back against the wall on the other side.

“Oh, sweetie. If that’s the case, it will be more appealing to me.” He bit into his lip in anticipation.

I didn’t know what was going through his mind, but it was probably repulsive, as every fiber in my body wished to turn around and run away.

“Is that because you saw me with him?” I asked, prompting him to draw away from the bars and point down.

“I said strip, sweetheart.” He commanded, sending shivers down my spine.

Hah… How it sucks to have all the power in the world to smite you, but it’s nothing but a weight right now.

“Is this for a ritual of some sort?” I continued to query, hoping he would give me something.

“Perhaps. Now strip.” He ordered, bluntly, lips curling downward.

Crap… Endure… And buy time, Vivian.

First, I took my brooch off, making sure it would stay in my hand before undoing the back of the dress, as I felt goosebumps rise on my skin.

“Vivian,” Gerta mumbled my name, grabbing onto my arm.

Taking a deep breath, I tugged away from her.

This is nothing. You won’t crush me.

“Don’t look, baby.” Thea, cooed Luna, making sure the little one was snuggled into her as she covered her ears as well.

It’s pathetic and unforgivable to drag a baby into this. You… aren’t strong at all. Yes, you’re nothing more than a pig in human skin, and I’ll bleed you soon enough.

It wasn’t long before the dress was on the floor, as the air was relatively cold, making me shiver. His eyes appeared lifeless, while I tried to show no emotions; however, the moment he reached for me, my heart stopped. Loki’s touch was all I ever knew; it was all I wanted to know. At least there were bars between us, and that brought me some solace, as the warlock tapped his grimoire, smirking again.

“Ah, the undies too, sweetheart.” He declared.

A broken cackle almost left me as his demands were making me boil inside, yet to remain by my vampire’s side, I needed to focus on what I could control. To let my emotions take over would’ve been the greatest mistake I ever made in this moment, especially with the rift.

For… their world… I’ll tolerate anything.

After all, it was the only one we had, even if it was bitter and cold. Slowly, I took off my undergarments, while the warlock continued to study me. Though his smirk was even more profound, the desire to rip off his face became almost unbearable. Though I was comforted by all the little marks Loki had left on my skin.

“Wow, you were right when you said that prince really is possessive. I’ll enjoy making a thrall out of you.” He snickered, noting all the love bites on my body.

My prince had marked his territory, though, especially in between my legs. I had thought it wasn't very comfortable when he did it, yet all it brought me was comfort while facing this warlock. His possessiveness would be the end of my sanity, even when he wasn’t around.

“Why do this?” My voice trembled a bit when one of the warlock’s companions suddenly reached for me, yanking me against the bars.

A yelp left my lips, startling Luna, who wept in Thea’s arms. It almost felt like he was about to rip my arm out of its socket, yet the blinding speed at which it happened alerted me that they weren’t human. The cloak that covered the man who grabbed me had retreated, allowing me to see a vampire holding my limb in his hand. His eyes glowed a weird green as saliva dripped down his lips, leaving me utterly itching to jerk myself away.

It seemed the problems kept rising, since if this warlock took me out of there, his minions would feast on me.

“Jin, can I?” the vampire begged the warlock.

“Patient beast, you can drain her after we’re done with her and the prince’s heartbreaks.” He sighed, grabbing onto my arm too, replacing the vampire’s hand, who clicked his tongue upon being denied.

Huh? Are you two working together?

However, there was something to note since the vampire’s eyes were brown, yet they were giving off an unearthly green hue at times.

“To answer your question, Vivian. What would be a better way to destroy Rem?” The warlock answered my question with one of his.

Damn it… That means the kids behind me are the ones in real danger, while I’m just an add-on.

I remained quiet as he came closer, his grip firm, as I couldn’t pull away without setting him off even more. With his free hand, he cupped one of my breasts, prompting me to bite my lip.

Endure… For them… and our world… Contain your rage, Vivian!

His hands were colder than ice, making it feel as though a corpse was touching me—nothing like Loki, who was warmer than the sun itself. My breath hitched as I tried to prepare myself for anything he might do.

“That, my dear, has been a question that often plagues me. You know she’s powerful and basically untouchable, but her children are still learning. So, I thought the best way was to eliminate her kids’ happiness, which I already took one tonight.” Jin smirked.

What?!

The man wouldn’t let me think, though.

“And I will take three more by the time daylight comes.” He continued, leaning onto the breast he was holding.

At that moment, I tried to yank myself away, but his grip on my arm was too firm. Before I knew it, his tongue touched my nipple, prompting every hair on my back to stand up straight, while I tried to internalize everything. The brooch in my hand dug into my skin from how hard I was holding it—something I hadn’t planned, but the moment that fresh blood hit the air. The vampire went for me. Luckily, Jin let me go in time for me to tumble back into the cell as Gerta quickly used the dress I had taken off as cover.

“Urgh! Brute! I told you, patience!” The warlock huffed while the ravenous man ignored Jin, trying to reach me.

It was the first time I was glad to see the bars between us. Instead of shivering where I sat, I glared at Jin.

If only… No… Breathe… Focus on what matters!

“So, the attack on the market in Night City was you?!” I tried to subdue my anger by focusing on getting information, but it was showing.

The moment Jin saw my expression, he chuckled, gazing at me like I was a pretty candy he would have later. Gerta appeared surprised by my demeanor, as there was no fear in my eyes.

“Hah… Oh, my… You’re a beautiful little thing. How about you show me more later, Vivian?” He smirked, licking his lips.

Though the rabid vampire seemed to get into Jin’s nerves as he shifted his eyes to him.