Taker

Taker

The full moon was high in the night sky when Thorn crept soundlessly through the still halls of the palace. She followed her nose down to the dungeon area. The dank musky smell, she’d learned, was always a dead giveaway as to its placement.

At the bottom of the steps, Thorn paused, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim light. A sound floated to her ears, sobbing. Following that sound, she passed by several cells, most of the occupants were asleep. Reaching the cell in question, she halted to face the source of the noise.

A girl lay on a dirty mattress on the blood stained floor. The steel bars were rusted along the hinges and Thorn guessed that one good yank would separate door from bars. She knew though, in doing so she’d surely alert the guards.

“The key is on the wall next to the cell,” a soft commanding voice from behind her stated.

Startled, Thorn whirled to face a lanky man with long unruly black hair and equally dark eyes.

“Who’re you?” Thorn demanded softly.

The young man shook his head and simply replied, “You’re here for the girl, correct?”

“Yes, I am.”

He nodded thoughtfully, then said crisply, “Good, get her out of here. They,” he growled, “haven’t touched her…yet.”

“She’s scared,” he added quietly.

Thorn nodded as she stared into his dark orbs. She searched them, but found she couldn’t read him. An electric charge flowed through her before she was able to tear her gaze away.

Scanning the decaying wall, she rolled her eyes at the obvious placement of the key. ‘You’d think they’d be a little bit smarter.’ Unlocking the door, Thorn cringed when the creaking echoed slightly down the hall.

As she slid through the cell door, Leidy jumped and scrambled onto the furthest corner shaking violently.

“What...What do you want?” Leidy asked, her voice quivering.

Thorn’s whole demeanor changed as she slowly approached the girl.

“Don’t worry; I’m not going to hurt you. Your grandfather asked me to come get you,” she stated reassuringly.

Leidy’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know my grandfather?” she inquired suspiciously.

Thorn nodded approvingly as a chuckle from escaped her lips. She wasn’t as naïve as she looked. Vassily had taught his granddaughter well. ‘All the better for her,’ she thought.

“Vassily is your grandfather. He’s very worried about you,” Thorn comforted. “But if we’re going to get you out of here, we need to get going. You’re just going to have to trust me.”

Leidy’s held her suspicions for a few more seconds, before standing up.

“Let’s get out of here.”


Ashe, the young man in the cell, stared after Thorn’s slim muscular figure with mixed emotions. He was glad that someone had come for the girl; she didn’t deserve what they would surely do to her. At the same time, though he wondered very much about this new…‘well warrior, I guess’ he thought in surprise. Who was she, he resolved to find out.

She stared at him, feeling very vulnerable all of a sudden. He was watching her with such an intent gaze; almost as though he could read her like a book. She felt a shiver run down her spine, trying hard not to lose her grip.

He knew he was affecting her; her entire body had stiffened, the flow of her ferocity had ceased. He gave her a wan smile, and said quietly, “Why can’t you just answer my question?”

“Because…” she paused, trying to come up with a good reason and finding none.

She sighed and sat down on the cot he used as a bed, “I’ve never had a home,” she told him.

He leaned his slight form against the wall and asked nonchalantly, “Why?”

Her eyes snapped with fury as she hissed, “None of your business!” How would she ever explain her predicament?

“Well, I think it is. After all,” he reasoned, his tone changing, “you’ve invaded mine.”

She looked around her; how could he think of this prison as his home?

“It’s all I’ve ever known,” he interrupted, his voice strained with an unrecognizable emotion. “So tell me why?”

Why did he have to be so persistent? She had this horrible feeling that he wouldn’t let her be until she answered. 'You can’t tell him' she told herself sternly. He wouldn’t…couldn’t know the reason she’d had to hide her entire life. She looked around for an escape, knowing full well the only way out would be the way she came in, and she couldn’t not when he was awake.

He was losing his temper. He asked a question and he expected an answer! She’d invaded his home, his life forever! And all he wanted was an answer.

“Girl, tell me!” he growled, a little more furiously than intended. She jumped at the sound, and then stood abruptly, her emotional control completely gone. Her gaze met his, and instead of fury, he saw fear. He could smell it coming off of her in waves, shocking his senses.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” she told him, closing her eyes against what she knew was coming.

He watched, astonished as her body trembled severely. She fell to her knees as she slowly shifted, her arms lengthening while her legs shortened. Her clothes changed to a light gray fur covering her entire body while her nose grew into a snout. Her smell, which had seemed vaguely familiar, he now recognized. She smelled like a Taker.

Thorn lifted her nose towards the ceiling and howled a long mournful noise. She watched as he inspected her, his body upright and taut.

Softly, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me?” His eyes looked into hers, wondering if she had all the Takers endowments.

His question was answered when her voice resounded in his head. I’ve had to hide my entire life. Do you know what would happen if people knew?

Without even realizing it, he answered back with his own mind. But you’re a great warrior! People adore you, he argued.

The wolf shook its head sadly, quite a feat as this wasn’t normal. No, they admire and fear me. They can’t love me.

He nodded sadly; he knew that feeling better than anyone. Change back, before someone senses something! he told her.

I can’t, she told him, quite embarrassed. He looked at her enquiringly. I don’t know how to change at will. That’s why I can’t have a home; if anyone knew, I’d be hunted for the rest of my life.

He felt dazed; she didn’t know how to change back and forth at will. How had she lived her entire life like that? He pushed these and other thoughts aside as he felt his guardian coming down the steps above. If she didn’t change back and soon, they’d know she was here. He could mask her scent when she was human; in wolf form it was impossible.

Shaking his head, he walked over and knelt down next to her. Putting a hand on her back, he whispered, “I can’t teach you in 20 seconds, which is about all the time we have until they know you’re here. Just let me in and I’ll do it.” Seeing that she was about to resist he added, “I won’t invade your privacy, I promise. Please, if they know you’re here they’ll kill you!”

Okay, she said, opening her mind to him. Just don’t… she trailed off as she felt his mind flooding into hers, taking control. She shifted to the background, watching as he formed the image of her human form in her own mind perfectly. A wave of shock overtook her as she violently changed back, leaving her body shaking uncontrollably.

He felt her change, hating himself for the violent action he was forced to inflict upon her. It was obvious she’d never changed at will, he thought as he opened his eyes to find her shaking naked form on her knees next to him. He pulled her tightly into his arms, gently allowing some of his strength to flow into her. His entire body was charged with desire; desire for her. How had he gone from tolerating her to wanting her so damn quickly?

He didn’t have time to think much further than that, for at that moment, a loud knock came at his door.

“Ashe! Shift back immediately or else I’m telling father!!” Nathanial growled through the door.

Ashe wearily eyed the thick wooden door, wondering just how far Nathanial was going to take this.

“Go ahead. In fact, let me out and I’ll do it myself,” Ashe shouted.

Nathanial kicked the door in frustration. “Come on Ashe! Father won’t be pleased if you make me interrupt his female time.”

Ashe rolled his eyes; his father didn’t need female time. He needed a sharp blow to the head. Sudden movement caused Ashe to look down in time to see Thorn bit her lip in pain. His eyes traveled over her muscled body, devouring her small but firm breasts and long smooth legs. Another sudden shiver racked through him as she shifted in his arms, allowing herself the freedom to rest against him. He smiled at the wolf-like action, feeling reassurance flow into him. Whatever else Thorn might be, she was definitely a Taker.

“Like I care,” Ashe told the oak door, “It’s not like you’ll do so anyway. You’re terrified of Father; you’d never interrupt him!”

“OH!!! Ashe I…” Nathanial screamed, and then stomped away.

Ashe closed his eyes. He’d pay for those comments later. Now that Nathanial had been provoked, Ashe knew he’d go whining to Father about it. And Father wouldn’t be pleased. He could already feel the stinging blows whipping through the air.

“Why did you do that?” Thorn asked, looking up at him. “Why did you protect me?”

Ashe forced himself to pull away from her, knowing that if he didn’t he’d try to take her right there, with dire consequences.

“Because,” he answered quietly, “if they’d found you or even smelled you…” he trailed off, trying to figure out how to put it. “They would’ve taken turns doing what they liked with you. I wouldn’t sentence my worst enemy to that.”

Thorn nodded as she stood up, completely unawares of the fact that she was still naked, treating Ashe to an unobstructed view of her body. Rapid waves of desire flowed through him, causing him to visibly tremble as he looked away.

His voice cracked as he said, “There are some spare clothes in that chest,” referring to the oak made chest at the foot of his cot, “you should probably put them on.”

Thorn looked down and let out a small groan, not acknowledging his attraction to her. She pulled out a loincloth and breeches. She quickly put those on, and then searched around for a shirt. Finding none, she walked over to where he stood, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Do you have an extra shirt? she inquired silently.

Ashe mentally kicked himself. He’d forgotten the only shirt he had was the one he was wearing. Pulling the light brown shirt off, he handed it to her.

“Here, put this on. I forgot, the others, uh disappeared,” he told her quietly as he watched his shirt settle onto her body. Gods, she was just as beautiful in human form as in her wolf form.

Thorn however missed the desire in his eyes; she was too busy staring at his upper body. Ashe’s slight form was pure muscle; it looked as though his chest and abs were chiseled from rock. His arms were sculpted but small and his muscles rippled with every slight movement. All this only served to make the deep red welts lining his chest and stomach more noticeable.

“What…” Thorn asked, running her hand across a particularly deep welt.

Ashe looked away from her inquiring gaze as his skin quivered under her touch.

Thorn misread the action and pulled her hand abruptly away, “Sorry, I didn’t mean...”

Ashe’s eyes met hers. She didn’t comprehend his attraction to her. 'Good, that makes it easier,' he thought to himself.

“You didn’t,” he told her gruffly.

Thorn eyed him suspiciously; immediately he sensed she didn’t believe him. Hesitantly she brought her hand up again and laid it gently over a 5 inch welt etched deep in his side.

Ashe sucked in his breath sharply at the waves of desire that overtook him. He trembled under her touch; unable to meet her questioning gaze as he struggled for control.

“Who did this?” Thorn demanded, her voice drawing his gaze to hers. He stared deep into her eyes and knew instinctively that he wouldn’t be able to lie to her. Instead he just shook his head.

Silence engulfed the cell as Thorn waited for an answer. Finally realizing she wasn’t going to get one, she deliberately ran her hand across his chest to another deep welt just above his left pectoral muscle. Ashe gasped involuntarily, feeling his resolve start to weaken as his mind started to imagine what it would feel like to run his hands down her sides and kiss…

“Don’t,” Ashe growled desperately, causing Thorn to snatch her hand away at the harshness of it. She recovered almost immediately, though, glaring at him and shifting into a fighting stance.

“And suppose I don’t stop,” Thorn threatened defiantly.

The thought of what her hands running along his chest could do to him made him shiver and glare at her in pure anger. She flinched and backed away slightly, in order to give herself more room.

He smiled, amused. Did she really think that she could beat him?

Thorn scowled at him, “Wipe that cocky grin off your face. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

“And you know what I’m capable of?” he asked, scornfully shaking his head. “I’m locked up down here for a reason,” he told her, his voice a mix of pride and anguish.

Thorn looked at him silently, calculating her choices. Having a brawl down here wouldn’t be the best of choices, though she could manage it in a pinch. Getting out was impossible, not so much, she suspected because he couldn’t, but more because he wouldn’t. Why, she wasn’t sure, but she knew she had to find out.

Sighing, she relaxed her stance. Better to let him think he intimidated her, than to piss him off further. “Why are you down here?” she inquired, her voice interested and calm.

Ashe was shocked; he hadn’t expected her to back down so quickly. He shook his head to collect his thoughts, then strode over to stretch out on his makeshift bed.

“I’ll answer that,” he told her, “on one condition. You tell me why the great warrior, Meleah Thorn, has graced me with her presence.” He turned on his side to look at her; his gaze, unyielding.

Thorn closed her eyes, shocked that he knew her full name. Very few people knew it; even fewer were allowed to call her by it. But then, he’d been in her head when she was wolf. As a wolf, she was never Thorn, always Meleah.

“Alright,” she answered tightly.

'Gods, she looks even sexier in my clothes.' Ashe thought, cursing himself for his loss of control. He knew it was dangerous to be attracted to her. Setting those thoughts fiercely aside, he took a deep breath.

“I’m down here cuz I’m dangerous,” he said in a mocking tone. “At least, that’s what I’m told. I’m not supposed to know the real reason, my father…yes my father seems to think if he hides me, it will all go away. Ha right.

“And these marks,” Ashe gestured angrily to the welts covering his body, “are his way of controlling me.” He rolled his eyes, “He seems to think that if he beats me enough I’ll be too weak to escape! I’m the toy that he can play with in order to satisfy his intensive hate of me!”

By this point, Ashe had gotten up and was pacing furiously in front of his bed. Thorn backed out of his way, leaning against the wall. She watched him for a few minutes then when he didn’t continue asked, “Why would he do that?”

Ashe stopped pacing, glancing at Thorn’s sexy figure before collapsing onto his bed, running one hand through his long black hair. Silently, he patted the spot next to him, indicating that she take it.

Thorn noticed a change in his demeanor: his anger had disappeared. All that was left was that indescribable emotion from earlier. Thorn positioned herself on his bed facing him, one leg tucked firmly beneath her.

“There are secrets buried in every hall of this castle, dangerous secrets. Any one of them could destroy what my father has,” Ashe looked at her sadly, then asked abruptly, “Do you know of any recent Taker activity?”

Thorn looked up at him and caught his gaze. Silently, she said, The Takers are engaged in several wars. One of my sources told me that a rebellion was brewing…

Ashe interrupted her, telling her, “Your source lied.”

“Well, then what’s the truth?” Thorn inquired.

The sudden intense look of sorrow on his face pained her. Without even thinking, she brought her body up against his, wrapped one arm around his waist, and nuzzled her head into his chest. Ashe immediately stiffened, fighting himself for control. Glancing down he saw Thorn gently tracing a circle around a scar on his stomach and he finally gave in as a shiver racked through him. Pulling his body completely up on the bed he pushed backwards with her till he was resting against the wall. Relaxing, he wrapped one arm around her and used his other hand to tuck some of her hair away from her face.

Thorn felt him relax and looked up. He met her eyes quizzically as though asking a question. Ashe jumped slightly when her answer resounded in his head. Most of what I know about compassion, I learned from Meleah, she told him.

He smiled at her; he’d learned a lot from his wolf counterpart as well. Gods, it had been a long time since he’d let someone comfort him. Ashe found himself enjoying having her wrapped up in his arms; which he knew was wrong. However, he couldn’t help it; Thorn felt so warm.

Ashe glanced out the window, judging 3 more hours till sunrise. Plenty of time to answer her question, but not enough time for her to answer his. Not if she wanted to get out of here alive.

He sighed, turning toward her, “I can answer your question but we won’t have enough time for mine,” he informed her, biting off his urge to invite her back.

Thorn knew he was right, but she didn’t want to leave him. That beating he was going to get was all her fault and she hated being the reason for it. The only way would be for him to come with her and she instinctively knew he wouldn’t.

“I’m coming back tomorrow night, whether you like it or not,” she stated, leaving no room for negotiation.

Ashe hid a smile and said, “If you weren’t coming back, I wasn’t going to let you go.”

Thorn saw the mocking look on his face and laughed. She stopped abruptly however, when she felt someone coming down the stairs. Someone’s coming! she thought frantically to Ashe.

Ashe paled slightly and concentrated. Oh God, it was his father! Nathanial had interrupted him!

You have to go! Now! he told her forcefully, putting more of his fear into the statement than he meant to. He could feel his stomach rolling with nausea at the thought of what his father and Nathanial would do to Thorn if they found her here.

I can’t let them hurt you again! she argued silently running her hand along his chest, as Meleah edged into the back of her mind.

He looked at her; she was starring at him with concern and defiance. Shaking his head, he told her, They won’t kill me; besides I heal quickly, he lied then added, I can’t say what they’ll do to you after each gets done brutally raping you. I can’t leave you to that fate. NOW GO! He finished, pushing her roughly towards the barred window.

Thorn winced at the sudden pain that flowed through her arm and gave him one last sorrowful glance before escaping through the broken bars and out into the night. Picking up speed, she headed towards the stone wall; climbing over it with ease. Once outside, she fled towards the forest, stopping at the very edge to catch her breath.

I’ll be back tomorrow night, so don’t die on me! she thought to Ashe fiercely before disappearing completely into the shadows.

Ashe heard her command resounding in his head as he quickly stretched himself lazily on his bed. Looking at the ceiling, he lifted his hand, formed one sharp nail and started tracing imagined patterns.

It was just in time too, because the heavy wooden door banged open as a bulky man with pale pink skin, light blue eyes, and short grey hair charged through in a rage. Grabbing a fistful of Ashe’s dark hair, he pulled Ashe off the cot and flung him into the opposite wall. The impact caused jarring pain to flow his shoulder and side. Ashe knew better than to try to get up; instead he stayed slumped on the floor, watching the man closely through his hair.

“Ashe, you disobeyed me! Obviously my requests are too much for you to handle. Well, it goes both ways. Nathanial will go get Ravyn tomorrow morning,” Hadrian told him in a strangely calm voice.

“No!” Ashe cried out, then cursed himself for losing his grip. Hadrian smiled wickedly. Ashe was now in his power.

“I have to, who’s to say you won’t shift again. Or disobey any of my other orders. No, since punishing you seems to have little effect, we’ll move to punishing others. Maybe then you’ll listen to me.”

“I’ll listen now, I promise. It was a slip, I didn’t mean to shift. I was just staring at the moon and wishing I could be out in it,” Ashe lied frantically trying to salvage the situation.

Hadrian frowned, he was enjoying this. Clearing his throat he told Ashe, “I’m not sure I can believe you, after all you’ve disobeyed me so many times before.”

Ashe thought frantically and suddenly the solution presented itself, making Ashe feel quesy. “You could if I couldn’t shift,” Ashe suggested quietly, stressing each word.

Hadrian froze and stared at his son. Ashe had always objected to this approach and now he was volunteering for it.

Ashe knew his father was relishing in this idea. He had since Ashe had been old enough to be a threat to him. However, it had turned out that getting him to consume the liquid had been impossible. Ashe realized it was suspicious that he was volunteering to drink the only concoction developed that could stop a Taker from shifting. He knew that his father would never grasp that obvious fact; his father wasn’t one for the obvious.

Which is why he wasn’t surprised to find Hadrian slowly nodding his head. “Fine, we’ll give it a try, but if you don’t cooperate…” Hadrian trailed off as he headed for the door.

“Nathanial! Get in here!” Hadrian yelled, then turned to Ashe. “I can’t take the chance that you’ll change your mind and refuse. 200 lashings, Nathanial, front and back.”

Ashe paled as he felt his stomach plummet. 200? His father had never ordered that many lashings before. Ashe watched as Hadrian turned in the doorway before heading out.

“That should render you helpless long enough to give you the drug,” He said coldly, then disappeared down the dark hall.

Ashe felt oddly distanced as his brother yanked him cruelly to his feet and slapped the metal cuffs onto his wrists. Positioning him in the center of the cell, Nathanial turned and shut the door.

“I told you interrupting him was a bad idea,” he pronounced, seconds before spinning around and sending the whip crashing through the air.

Ashe felt it slice through the skin on his chest and he bit back a yelp of pain. Blow after blow landed as Nathanial picked up speed. Pain burned through Ashe’s chest and stomach, blood dripping from his open wounds. Heat swelled around each gash as he desperately tried not to cry out, he wasn’t going to give Nathanial the satisfaction. Come on, he told himself, only a little while longer. He knew from experience that the loss of blood along with the pain would allow him to enter into a blissful unconsciousness. He could already feel the world shifting slowly, becoming fainter. The last thing Ashe felt before he passed out was the first lash cutting into his back. Then there was darkness.