Chapter 6 The first tear

As Anastasia stepped out, the harsh sunlight revealed the compound's true nature: a fortress of brutality. Men trained to inflict pain and death lingered in every shadow.Her escort led her through winding corridors, finally stopping at a nondescript door in a dimly lit alley. The suit-clad man gestured curtly. "Your quarters, Ma'am."

Anastasia's heart sank as she entered the sparse room. Two doors, no windows, and an oppressive silence.Fear clawed at her throat. "Who is Alexander?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.The man's expression turned glacial. "I'm Abraham, Ma'am. Not Alexander. If you require anything, simply inform me."

His tone brokered no argument. With a curt nod, he departed, leaving Anastasia alone in the suffocating silence.As the door closed, Anastasia's gaze lingered on the spot where Abraham had stood. His eyes, like polished onyx, had revealed nothing – yet seemed to hold a hidden intensity."Abraham," she whispered, the name echoing through her mind.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Abraham stood in the threshold, his eyes locked onto hers. "Forgotten something, Ma'am?" Anastasia's pulse quickened. "No...just wondering if I'll ever escape."Abraham's expression remained impassive, but his voice dropped to a low rumble. "Escape is...unlikely." And left.

Anastasia's mind raced with theories about Alexander's identity. Shaking off the unease, she secured the door, locking it with a resolute click. Her gaze swept the room, scouring every inch for a potential weapon. A delicate vase on the nightstand caught her attention. With a swift motion, she shattered it, selecting a jagged shard of glass.

As night descended, Anastasia's vigilance never wavered. Perched on the bed's edge, her grasp on the glass fragment remained tight. Sleep eventually claimed her, exhaustion overwhelming her tense muscles.Midnight's darkness was shattered by the sound of the door opening. Anastasia jolted awake, her heart racing. "How did you get in?" she demanded, glass shard at the ready.

The leader's chuckle filled the room, low and husky. "This is my domain. I hold the keys to every door." He raised his hand, his eyes glinting in the dim light.Anastasia's gaze fixed on his hand, her thoughts racing. "You shouldn't be here."

The leader stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "I can go wherever I please. Especially to my own property." His gaze drifted to the glass shard in Anastasia's hand."Planning to defend yourself?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice.

Anastasia's grip tightened. "If necessary."

The leader's eyes locked onto hers, a spark of intensity igniting. "I admire your spirit. But you won't need that...tonight."

Anastasia's voice was laced with caution. "Leave this room?"Her face remained impassive, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.The leader's smile grew, his voice dripping with anticipation. "I thought it's time to introduce you to your husband."

He glided closer, his movements fluid and deliberate. Anastasia's breath caught as he halted before the mirror, his gaze locking onto hers through the glass.

With a deft motion, he removed his mask, revealing chiseled features and piercing eyes. His smirk intensified as he adjusted his collar, his voice low and husky."Don't you wonder who he is?"As he turned to face her, Anastasia's heart skipped a beat. The air thickened with tension.

"Allow me to enlighten you," he said, his eyes burning with amusement. "I'm Alexander – your husband, from this moment on."The words hung in the air like a challenge, his gaze daring her to respond.

Anastasia's composure crumbled, her thoughts reeling. The man before her was both captivating and terrifying.

Anastasia's voice seethed with venom. "You didn't save me, you saved yourself. You're not a savior, you're a manipulator."Her eyes blazed as she condemned him. "What kind of man are you? You're not even human – you're a monster."Alexander's expression darkened, his jaw clenched. He closed the distance between them, his voice low and warning. "Calm down, Anastasia. I'm your husband now. Don't say something you'll regret."

Anastasia's grip on the shattered glass tightened. "I'm a captive, not your beloved wife. And the moment I get a chance, I'll escape."Her words hung in the air like a challenge, her voice echoing through the room.

Alexander's eyes flashed with intensity. "You won't," he whispered, his breath caressing her skin. "You'll realize I'm the only one who can keep you safe."

As he reached out to claim her, Anastasia's heart pounded in defiance.

Alexander's eyes blazed as he closed the distance, his voice low and menacing. "Is that so? You really want me to be a monster?"Anastasia stood firm, her voice unwavering. "You already are."

As she lunged forward, Alexander reacted instinctively, pinning her hands against the wall. The shattered glass still clutched in her hand sliced through the air, mere inches from his face.

"Don't make me do something we'll both regret,"he warned, his grip tightening.

Anastasia's cry echoed through the room. "Alexander, you're hurting me!"

Alexander's gaze dropped to her hand, and his face paled. Blood dripped down her arm, staining the floor.

"No, Anastasia...what have you done?" he whispered, panic seizing him.

He gently released her hands, cradling the injured one. "damn it!"

Anastasia's eyes fluttered closed, her body sagging. Alexander caught her, holding her close as she fainted.

To be Continued...