chapter 23 get you dressed up

Rachel stepped out of the carriage, her heels sinking slightly into the mud as the rain poured down relentlessly. Peter, ever dutiful, held an umbrella over her. "What is it, Peter?" she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.

"There's a little girl lying on the side of the road," Peter replied, motioning toward the spot. Rachel followed him, her heart pounding. When she saw the unconscious child, she froze, her breath catching in her throat.

Her reaction wasn't just because of the sight of the girl but because of the pendant around her neck—a pendant she immediately recognized. Rachel bent down, her trembling hands reaching for the necklace, but the lock wouldn't budge. She quickly realized it had been sealed with a spell.

"Bring her into the carriage," Rachel ordered, her tone leaving no room for debate. As Peter carefully picked up the girl, Rachel turned back and caught Jacob peeking out from the carriage. Her expression hardened in slight disappointment, making Jacob immediately duck out of sight.

Rachel's eyes softened as sadness welled within her. Memories of her best friend, Elowen, came flooding back. The thought of what must have happened to her friend weighed heavily on her heart. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "I'll protect her for now, Elowen. I promise."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,

Present Day

The metallic clank of a cell door jolted Jacob back to reality. He turned his head toward the sound, as did Prince Ezekiel. A guard approached them, his expression stoic. "You are both free to go," the guard announced, bowing slightly with his arm across his chest.

The guard unlocked their silver restraints, and Jacob winced as the chains fell away. "Well, this is faster than I expected," Jacob said with a faint chuckle, rubbing his raw wrists.

"Even I'm surprised," Ezekiel replied, though his tone lacked humor. He watched as the guard departed.

Jacob turned to the prince, his expression serious. "That plan you were talking about earlier—count me in. You know where to find me." He gave a respectful bow before limping out of the cell.

Ezekiel's gaze burned with determination. He clenched his fists. This isn't over.

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At Beta Mateo's Home

Jacob pushed open the door to his home, his movements slow and deliberate. His emotions churned beneath the surface, but he shoved them down, masking them with indifference. From the sitting room, he heard Emily's excited voice. She was chattering on about how she would soon marry the alpha's son and how Calista had finally gotten what she deserved.

Ignoring her words, Jacob walked straight to his room, shutting the door behind him. The muffled laughter and conversation continued, but Jacob didn't care. He leaned against the wall, his mind elsewhere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the Demon Realm

The warm sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow over Calista's face. She stirred, the light warming her skin like a soft caress. But as the memories of where she was came flooding back, she jolted upright.

"The demon realm…" she muttered, her eyes darting around the unfamiliar room. Panic bubbled in her chest. How did I fall asleep? And what was that terrifying creature yesterday?

She stood and began pacing the room, anxiety clawing at her. She knew escaping before had seemed nearly impossible, but now it felt utterly hopeless. Her thoughts spiraled. What does King Alexander plan to do to me? Torture me? Laugh as I suffer? Or will he grant me a quick death? She shuddered at the thought.

Her imagination betrayed her, painting gruesome images in her mind. "Ahhhh! In a dark, blood-soaked room, my screams echo as Alexander toys with me, torturing me with sadistic glee. His laughter rings in my ears as his hand pierces my chest, pulling my beating heart free…" She shook her head violently, trying to dispel the horrifying vision. No. I can't let this happen.

Her resolve hardened. She needed to escape—and fast. But first, she had to familiarize herself with the layout of the castle.

A sudden knock at the door startled her. She froze, her heart pounding. Slowly, she crept toward the door, her ear pressed against the wood. "Who is it?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Open the door," a sharp, female voice commanded.

Calista hesitated, her mind racing. It's not Alexander, she thought. Gathering her courage, she cracked the door open slightly, only for it to be shoved open by three maids who barged in without permission.

"What took you so long?" one of the maids snapped. She had short black hair and a commanding presence.

"Sorry, I was sleeping… I didn't hear you knock," Calista lied, trying to sound composed. The maids, however, weren't interested in her excuses.

"We're here to get you dressed," the short-haired maid said flatly, motioning to the other two.

Calista instinctively took a step back, sensing their hostility. "I can dress myself," she protested, but her words fell on deaf ears. The two other maids, one with wavy brown hair and the other with straight blonde locks, grabbed her roughly.

"Stay still," the brown-haired maid hissed as they began yanking at her clothes. Their rough treatment left her skin raw, fresh bruises forming over her already sore body.

"You're hurting me! Stop it!" Calista pleaded, but the maids ignored her cries. Tears welled up in her eyes as they continued their harsh work.

The short-haired maid, Evelyn, crossed her arms, a satisfied smirk on her face as she watched. "Hurry up," she barked at the others.

Calista's hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She had expected to be treated poorly in the demon realm, but not like this—not so soon. A deep sense of despair settled over her. How am I supposed to survive this?

The maids stripped Calista of her clothes without care or courtesy, ignoring her attempts to cover herself. She tried in vain to shield her body, but they batted her hands away with little regard for her dignity.