Out of the Dark

Laura - Council’s headquarters

“Where—” My voice breaks. My mouth is too dry to speak.

The brightness blinds me as two strigois carry me outside of my cell. It can't be the sun since my skin isn't heated. My eyes have become used to the darkness of the cage, and even the faintest light blinds me.

The sound of people talking echoes as we walk through the corridors. I don't even know where they're taking me.

My two guides stop, and I along with them. A soft touch takes the place of their hands on my back.

“I got her.” Alisa’s voice is more demanding than I am used to hearing her. “You’re dismissed.”

As footsteps depart, I look to the side and see Alisa’s face in a haze. My sight slowly clears, and I glimpse her lips stretching in a smirk.

She sits next to me in the backseat of a car and instructs the driver to take off. She hands me a bottle of water, and I drink it all. The cool liquid soothes my parched mouth.