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Regan woke up in a start, her head spinning alongside a black vision. She couldn't see anything and she feared if she was even alive. Her mind was dull and blank, as if she was floating in air. Her hands couldn't move and her legs couldn't move either. She closed her eyes shut, trying to get a sense of the place.And then, the memories flooded in, making her shiver and boil at the same time. She remembered being caught and being injected. She remembered Iris, Raven and everything else. It hit her as a wave of tornado, and she hoped she hadn't remembered at all.A wave of unease and panic spr ofead over her as she wondered what happened to Iris or Raven. Maybe he had killed them. Maybe he was torturing them. Maybe she was tortured as well. Maybe she was dead. But she wasn't."Cornelia?" A low, trembling voice pierced through the blank air. Regan's eyes fluttered open. Her vision wasn't black, it was still blurry but there was light on the room. She looked at another girl who was sitting, tied in a chair, the same way. A relief over her as she realized it was Iris."Cornelia....are you alright?" Iris asked again, her voice shaky.Regan shook her head, wanting to rubb her eyes. But she couldn't do it. She glanced around, realising they were both tied inside a large room. Its walls were adorned with tapestries in colors of dark blue. The dimly torches were lit by candles, their flames casting weird shadows on the walls. The floor was made of expensive wood. She looked across, and saw a tall throne, carved out of the same dark wood, resting high on four stairs. The plush was made of red velvet, dripping on with luxury.A frown escaped Regan's face as she realized whose it belonged. Although it was empty, it made her blood run cold."Iris, where are we?" she whispered, although she knew where they were.Iris took a shaky breath, her voice trembling, "I-I... we're in his castle. When I woke up, they were dragging me here. Later on, he brought you here, himself," she revealed, her eyes darting around.Regan's frown deepened, "How? How was I brought here?"Iris swallowed nervously, "Well...uh...he-he carried you...." Her voice trailed off, and Regan could tell she was shivering. "He...just...brought you here and t-tied you."Regan felt her anger bubble, her forehead veins bulging. She wanted to do something violent. How could he carry her there? All this made her even more furious than she was. She knew she had to keep calm but her anger was getting the best of her."I'm going to kill him," she said through gritted teeth. She struggled to free but the ropes where tight and unyielding. She looked down and she was still wearing the dirty military uniform. It stuck to her skin, making her feel dirty."He had captured Jack as well," Iris said after a while, trying to keep calm, "he asked me questions about him and you. I said I didn't know him and that you were just my friend, but he wasn't convinced, he was furious.""Damnit....We have to leave! We have to get out of here!" Regan growled in frustration, struggling against her bindings even harder. She hadn't been tied before. "You should have said you didn't know me at all!""But, aren't we together in this?"Regan groaned in frustration, trying to snatch the rope, "Yes, but it's.... it's my fault. I'm sorry. I won't let you get hurt. What about Raven? Did you see her?"Iris shook her head, "No, I didn't. I saw nothing else. I don't know where they are. I hope they are fine."Regan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. As much and angry she was, she was also scared. Although, she'd always try to sound braver than she felt.Iris looked at her, as if she was about to say something forbidden, "Okay, I know we're in a terrible situation. We're kidnapped and we're probably either going to die or get tortured. I know you were right about the danger and the other dark stuff. But he-he...h-he i-is s-so...so h-h-...""What?" Regan snapped, irritated. She hated stuttering. And especially from Iris, who wasn't someone to stutter.Iris's voice was shaking as she tried to continue, "I don't want to say it. You'll get mad.""You started saying it. What?" Regan insisted impatiently. She hated it when people paused. It was driving her crazy. She wished Iris would just spit it out already.Iris closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "He...he's...really...very handsome, very beautiful!" she blurted out, her face flushing red.Regan froze for a moment, but then her anger reached another peak. She frowned, wondering if her whole soul was meant to experience only fury and embarrassment, "Handsome?! Iris are you out if your mind?! We're kidnapped here and you're saying he's handsome?!" Regan growled, her anger out of control.Iris quickly bit her lip, "Well, what's wrong to acknowledge? I mean, you don't get kidnapped by beautiful creatures everyday."The mention of his looks made Regan even more furious. She wanted to slap both Iris and herself. She had thought the same about him as well, she knew he was beautiful and she had even thought that if she was meant to be kidnapped, she'd rather let it be him. But now it was all making her more furious and uneasy."Iris, stop blushing! You're being ridiculous. We have to get the hell out of here!" she hissed with her angry voice."I know we have to get out of here! I'm not saying I fell in love with him," Iris retorted, her voice frustated as well, "I mean, I always have recognised beautiful creatures. It's not a big deal. Is the blue haired girl his girlfriend?"Regan felt herself getting irritated second by second, "Why should we care? Does it even help us? No, it doesn't. And of course she's his girlfriend. She's not the only. He has other girls as well," she said, her voice dripping with venom and hate.Iris's eyes widened, "What? How do you know that?"Regan frowned, drowning deeper into embarrassment, "They're here. I've seen them," she muttered."Really? Maybe they're imprisoned? Maybe they're scared like us?""No, they're not!" Regan snapped, "they're happy idiots who sell themselves for that bastard. They live in luxury and are his slaves. He has concubines and pets all around. So, don't get other ideas." As she said those words, she felt even worse. She wished she could say it straight on his face, instead of saying it in hidden meanings. She wished she could spat all this out to him, this thing that had been bothering her like crazy."And how do you know? Maybe they don't have a choice. Maybe they are forced. I mean, it's not like I'm surprised. But it's also not like girls have a choice when it comes to harems.""They're not forced, Iris," Regan countered. "They have a choice. They can leave. But they don't want to. They're disgusting. I hate them all. I fucking hate them. I want them burnt in hell."Iris nodded, slightly trembling, "What if we end up the same? What if we're forced into this?"The thought made Regan feel nauseous. She'd rather die than be part of this sick, disgusting thing, "I'd kill them all." She could see that her friend was trembling, but Iris didn't have to fuel the matter further."Well, uh... I'm sorry," Iris mumbled. "I don't think he'd do that. But he's still still....beautiful."Regan shook her head. She wasn't helping. How could she continue saying that?"Iris, look. I know you're scared and perhaps the drug have twisted your senses. But you should collect yourself. Alright, yes, he's beautiful. Happy now?" Regan snapped, not believing what she had even said. "But we can't just sit here like fools and talk about-""You called me beautiful?" A deep and hoarse voice interrupted her. Both girls flinched and turned, only to see no other than the one who had kidnapped them standing before them. He looked just as handsome as ever, with his sharp features and piercing blue eyes. His hair fell on his face, obscuring his expression as he ran his fingers through it. He was wearing imperial attire in burgundy, hanging around him relentlessly.Regan felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment and anger. She wanted to vanish, disappear into thin air as she noticed he was coming near. She had said it only to reason with Iris. He didn't have to hear it."Answer me, you called me beautiful?" He demanded, looking at Regan.Regan frowned, feeling helpless and angry, "No, I didn't!" She hated him, Sirius.He smirked, "Liar."Before Regan could react, he was already kneeling in front of her. She wanted to move away from him, but the ropes held her tight."I heard you, Princess. You called me beautiful.""No, I didn't!" Regan hissed, her cheeks crimson. She struggled against the ropes again, but it was no use."Lies. Only lies," he drawled, smirking at her.Iris looked from one to the other, unsure what to say or do. She didn't know why he was calling her princess."You're so full of yourself," Regan snapped, her voice filled with hatred. "Those who are truly beautiful don't brag about it and they don't say it," she added, every single word filled with disdain.He studied her for a moment longer before finally standing up."I'll agree on that. But I wasn't bragging about it." He chucked, "I didn't even say I was beautiful. You did." He looked down at her, his eyes shining with amusement.Iris took a deep breath, trying to diffuse the tension she was guilty for, "Well.... she-she really didn't. I mean we were talking about one of my friends," she said, trying to sound cool and confident, her eyes darting back to Regan.Regan shot her a glare."Your friend?" He turned to Iris, his menacing gaze now on her, "Who's this friend?" His voice was cold as ice.Iris gulped nervously, trying to shake it off, "It's not important, really" she shrugged, letting out a dry chuckle.Sirius glared at her, his fists clenching. Then, he stepped back, turned unfazed. He sat on his throne, legs crossed. He put his hand on his forehead, his elbow on the throne's arm, deep in thought."Well, so....Ingrid. Or should I call you Cornelia? Regan? Who are you of these three? You seem to have many identities. Interesting."Regan didn't answer, while Iris held a confused expression on her face, and she looked at her weirdly. She didn't know her name was also Regan. Regan knew that he was going to spill her secrets, but she didn't want to think about it anymore."So....Cornelia," he drawled, a smirk tugging on his lips, "Where are you from? I've never seen you," he said, feigning innocence.Regan didn't say anything and turned her head to the other side. She still couldn't swallow the shame from him hearing she called him beautiful."You see...." he said and looked at Iris, "your friend here is not who you think she is. Sometimes she's someone raised by wolves. Sometimes she's a servant in my palace or the last, a soldier. But you know who she truly is?"Iris swallowed hard, trying to sound braver than she was, "She's my friend," she muttered.Sirius chuckled, "She's the heir of Avalon."Confusion spread all over Iris's face as she looked at Regan."Oh, you don't know that? Too bad. Avalon is a kingdom I got rid of, and it left another problem for me. I killed them, thinking it was the end of it. But it wasn't. She survived and now she's here. Ironic, isn't it?"He paused for a moment, leaning back on his throne, enjoying the look of shock on Iris's and Regan's face. "You see, I killed her family. And then, I did so many other things. I thought she died as well, but she was alive, somehow.""Shut your fucking mouth!" Regan growled, not standing him talking about her family anymore, "don't you dare talk about this!"Iris's face twisted in anger, "You're lying!" she snapped, "She's just a girl who was taken away and raised in the woods!"Sirius's smirk widened into a grin, his expression cold and mocking, "Oh, you believe that? You're too trusting, Iris. But I understand. She's a deceiver. She's not who she says she is. And I want her to admit it." He paused, leaning forward, his eyes boring into Regan. "Admit it, Regan. Or should I call you Cornelia? Ingrid?"Regan shook her head, anger boiling in her veins, "Just stop this bullshit already. You're not here to tell stories. Now what are you going to do? Are you going to do what you wanted to do earlier?" she accused, her eyes blazing with anger, her voice sharp as a razor."What did I want to do earlier?" He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head."Oh, you're acting innocent now? We both know what you want to do. You're a male, after all," Regan spat, and she could feel her face becoming red with anger, her chest filling with a pang of contempt.Sirius's eyebrows furrowed, "What?""Nevermind. You're disgusting," Regan retorted, cursing herself for even dragging the words to this point. Why did she have to say that now?But Sirius wasn't convinced. He stood up from his throne and he slowly approached her again, his eyes narrowed."Say it," he demanded."Say what?" Regan asked, trying to keep her composure."You know what I mean," he brushed a strand of hair from her face and then grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. She could see her own reflection in his eyes, her heartbeats were rapid, she was blushing, but she didn't say anything.Iris watched them, her expression painted with curiosity and a hint of fear. What was going on?"You're an idiot," he sneered, shaking his head, his eyes holding a tinge of hurt."You're the idiot!" Regan spat, struggling against his grip."You know what?" he said, leaning closer to her face, "you have no idea what you're saying. You just a little girl who thinks she knows everything. But you don't. You don't know anything about me or what I want.""And what is it that you want?" Regan asked, and then regretted asking that. She was afraid of the answer.He leaned back a little. "What do I want? What a great question. But why do you care what I want, Regan? What is it to you?"Regan's words faded in her throat. She didn't know what to say and darted her eyes away. "I'm just curious," she muttered awkwardly."Nice," he smirked, "but I'm not going to entertain your useless thoughts about me. You can think whatever you want, it doesn't change your position here." He let go of her chin and turned back, looking at Iris with a cruel expression."Now," he mused, "let's take a look at your friend."Regan felt a wave of anger, panic and fear wash over her. His cold and dangerous gaze was on Iris, "So, you're the other fool who dared to defy me?" he growled.Iris flinched a bit, but decided to not sound scared, "I didn't do anything. I just wanted freedom. It was my homeland." She tried to sound strong, but it came out as a squeak."Ah, you've got lessons from your friend." He glanced at Regan from the corner of his eye. "But you know, these lessons lead to death and misery. You should have stayed out of this.""Don't hurt her. It wasn't her fault. I led the rebellion." Regan intervened, trying to get Iris out of the situation. "I'm the one who started it all," she said, her voice shaking with fear and determination."I know what you did," he retorted, "but since she's your friend, she's involved in this as well."Iris glanced at Regan, her expression filled with fear and panic. "But we just wanted justice. Please, let us go. Please," she pleaded, her voice shaky and uncertain.Sirius laughed menacingly, "Certainly not. "You should've known better, girl. You shouldn't have been involved in this," he threatened, his tone cold and unforgiving."Let her go!" Regan yelled furiously. "She's not the one you should be after. Let the others go as well. They were not involved.""I know who was and who wasn't. I ain't going to be listening to you. So, shut up and stay where you are, daughter of Cortez," he snapped back to Regan."But, if you don't want to hurt your friend...well, there's a way. Surrender from your useless cause. Give up, and maybe I'll show some mercy.""No! Never!" Regan hissed. She knew Iris was in danger but she couldn't just give up now. She had come too far and lost too much. "You'll have to kill me first," she stated, trying to sound strong and fearless."Oh, really? What if I have other plans? What if I don't want this?" He said, his gaze intense. Regan looked away, her mind swirling with negative thoughts."Just let us go! We swear we aren't going to mess with you again," Iris cracked, her voice a tiny whisper.Sirius didn't pay attention to her, but looked at Regan, "So? What do you say? Your pride or your friend?""I won't let you harm her," Regan said through gritted teeth, "I'll make you pay for everything you're doing. I'll make you pay for knowing me." Her words came out fierce and determined, but she felt a tear trickle down her cheek as she spoke."Ah, the bold words. And how are you going to do that? Right now, your powers are drained. You're in my chamber and you have no other allies." Sirius walked over to her and wiped that tear off, stroking her cheek lightly. "Oh yes, you're the heroine. But that doesn't mean a thing here.""Don't you dare talk to her like that!" Iris shouted, her voice surprisingly brave and furious. "She's done nothing but try to help me! She's the one who should be free!"Sirius chuckled darkly, "Oh, the love between friends. It's sweet, isn't it? But it doesn't matter." And with that, he flicked his wrist at Iris, unleashing a powerful spell that sent her flying backward, crashing against the wall. She gasped for air, her eyes wide with pain and fear."You bastard!" Regan hissed, struggling to snatch the ropes, "You're going to regret this."He smirked, "I've given you so many choices. And you chose to hurt your friend. If there's a reason why she's here, it's your fault. If you had chosen to stay out of my way, you wouldn't be here now. But, you're so obsessed with me that you led the rebellion only because you wanted to defy me. You don't care about their lives or anyone else. You care only about your pride. You're as deceitful and cruel as me.""So, your friend is gonna pay." He snapped his fingers and two strong soldiers entered, hastily taking Iris away from the chamber. They slammed the door shut, a loud sound echoing around the room. Regan could hear Iris's cries outside.But she didn't let tears fall. She had to do something.