(Amaia)
Mesmerised and confused, I seem to have fallen under the spell. There is something seriously wrong with this room.
Suddenly, the music stops, and the dances halt. Huradis lets me go as the stranger steps inside the room, filling it with his hypnotic presence.
I am made to stand on my shaky legs as he advances towards me like a silvery panther.
Fast and precise…the violet eyes and long silvery strands. I had never seen anyone so fucking handsome and terrifying at the same time.
In the old world, he would be either a model or a superstar playing the role of an elf.
The glistening tattoo of a crescent moon on his forehead and that blue cape on his broad shoulders reveal his status of a Royal Enforcer. The epitome of perfection he screams.
That golden halo around him screams of a new destiny for me, a second chance mate.
He is my mate….
But why does he seem so unbothered?
Can't he sense the mate bond between us?
His hand reaches out and grabs my face; his hair freakishly wraps itself around me like magical silvery ropes.
Every contact point deliciously burns me, invoking feelings I have never experienced before, not with Tarian.
My waist, my wrists, my arms.
He leans so close to me that I can see the swirling silver flecks in his irises.
Mesmerising and enchanting, the man has me spellbound. The heat radiates in my blood; it roars until I can't hear, feel, or see anyone else but him.
His grip tightens against my body so I can't even move. Every fibre of his hair felt alive, pulsing with the power and restrained energy he carries.
Guiltily I stare back at him. He knows it's me who has sold the Barzaker head to that seller.
Like I said, Enforcers are like celebrities and no one can say no to them or hide the truth from them. People worship them more than their gods.
"Did you kill the monster or not?" He asks, a tad annoyed. The voice is so rich, so deep like a mysterious chasm.
His eyes shift to the weapon fastened behind my back.
Questions float in his magnetic violet eyes.
"I….I didn't. I found him….. just severed his head… to sell." I choke on my words, my heart feels so full that I can swear it is about to burst.
The emotions, the tension, the senses…everything has tripled for me.
He doesn't release me, his eyes keep locked on me, staring deep as if into my soul. His overwhelming aura hits me and I feel the pressure in the pits of my stomach.
I gulp, and my neck tilts; I am losing control over my body.
My eyes drop to his lips, so sensual–so tempting.
The only thought that exists in my brain is to claim them. Feel them against mine, taste them, plunge my tongue inside his mouth.
Every rational thought has escaped me.
And just like he has captured me, the man releases his hold but doesn't step back. His hair coils away from me, retracing to his back.
The loss of contact makes me want to scream, to plead with him to hold me again. To fall to my knees and even beg him.
But I remain standing there, overwhelmed with these emotions and feelings I have no control over.
I want to cry and laugh at the same time.
His sharp gaze remains fixed on me for a few fleeting seconds before turning towards Huradis.
"Who is she? And is she under some influence?" The wrinkles on his forehead multiply and my gaze follows his.
Instead of Huradis, I see a short stout man with a beer belly. His lips stretched, revealing rotten teeth, while his pudgy hands rested on his bulging stomach.
Horror and disgust crawl over me. How did Huradis change his appearance?
Did he trick me?
The music? The drink?
"Welcome Alnilam. Just the influence of my presence" Huradis cockily says, flashing those ugly yellow teeth at us.
Is that his name?
I wonder, my gaze slipping back towards the man with silvery hair.
"Why not join me? We were just getting started when this one interrupted me." He points towards me before spreading his small hand towards the writhing bodies that have moved behind him.
Women of so many ages, races and heights stand behind him, watching us with glassy eyes. But there is another uneasy feeling, as if someone is invisible, watching me, observing me.
The feeling is very intrusive.
Has he done something to them too?
"Not interested. I am taking her along." Without warning Alnilam grabs my wrist, ready to act on his words. My body that has been flooded with all these newly released pheromones burn with his mere touch.
"But she came to me first. You can't take away what's mine." Hudarie accepts another chalice from a woman who has such sheer clothing on her body that she almost appears naked.
"I came to you because I wanted to join the Orion Academy and only you can nominate human candidates." I cast a glance at his harem. "Not because I want to be part of this," I boldly say, somehow finally finding my voice.
His cunning eyes narrow at me, there is something chillingly wrong with this man or this room.
"And yet he had his tongue down your throat. Seems like you were willing to do whatever it takes to join our academy," Alnilam's chilling voice cuts through me. A condescending look he shoots towards me.
"You are in my palace, girl. You had no issues kissing me a few minutes ago. But now you are acting all chaste because an Enforcer is here." Huradis hysterically laughs. "Don't forget. Whatever happens here is because I allow it. And you, darling, not the candidate I am going to be sending." A hint of an evil smile slowly creeps up on his face.
Several hands rub against his body, making me feel visibly sick.
Before I can answer, the powerful aura of Alnilam shoots out and hits like a silver wave to everyone present.
Instantly the people in the room go down on their knees, including the King Huradis. Although the defiance in his eyes hasn't dialled down, he is forced to submit.
"Don't forget your place or who you are talking to. I said she is mine to take. So this year she will be the human candidate. Next time, you defy me, I will have to teach you a lesson," Alnilam's authoritative voice booms in the room.
Huradis quietly nods while Alnilam pushes at my hand.
"You came here to join Orion Academy?" He asks, his whole attention fixing on me and my heart melts like ice under the sun.
I only nod, not taking the risk of speaking, from fear of stammering again.
"Let's go." He begins to drag me away and my head turns to watch Huradis and his women.
A seductive and yet bone-chilling voice creeps into my brain. A female voice.
'Your mates will never be able to feel the bond. You are the property of Huradis now. You have been cursed from telling them or anyone else, using any means possible."
Frantically I glance around but see no one speaking except that ugly bastard smirking at me.
What has he done to me?
And then a piercing pain erupts on the upper part of my thigh as if I am being branded by a burning iron rod.
What's happening to me?
Is this why Alnilam can't sense the bond between us?
"Sssss!" I almost scream, water gathering in my eyes. The world blurs and I tumble towards the ground.
Someone catches me before I hit the floor though…