The Binding

Chapter Thirteen

Colors swirled in front of me in a dizzying frenzy. I was struggling to open my eyes, but it was an arduous task. Finally I was able to lift my head and tried to swallow. My mouth felt dry and bitter. I groaned lightly as a wave of nausea washed over me.

   I couldn't move my arms. I pulled at my shoulders and realized I was bound tightly to a wooden chair, my arms secured behind me while a rope was wrapped around my lap, keeping me firmly locked to the seat. It creaked in protest as I shifted my weight. Numbness nipped at my arms, and I tried to wriggle them to encourage my blood to circulate.

   A cool breeze brushing against my skin and blew tendrils of hair around my face. It felt like I was outside, but I could also feel walls around me, and the ground was a solid concrete that felt industrial. I tried to focus as I looked around. There were a few yellow light bulbs spaced out evenly around me nailed to thick square concrete posts. Above I could see steel beams supporting the roof. Where the walls should have been were open to the air.

   It was some kind of construction site. To my right, the river far below me twinkled black against the city lights. I must have been near the top of a tall building. To my left was a small parking lot.

   Footsteps echoed against the concrete floor, and swiveled my head quickly in that direction.

    "I was wondering how long it would take you to wake up. It's been a long time since I met someone so young," said a low girlish voice. Her vowels were long and soft, giving her an exotic accent. She pulled a chair behind her and whirled it around in front of me. She sat down, straddling her legs on either side and rested her arms on the chair's back.

   Static electricity climbed over my knees and surrounded my thighs. She was young; she didn't look more than eighteen. She was beautiful, with a wide, full mouth, almond-shaped eyes and black hair flowing down to her waist. Her skin was a light, flawless shimmering bronze. She had a short stature; if I was standing, I don't think she would have reached my chin.

   She sat studying me, assessing what she saw. "Pretty. I bet you get a lot of attention with those bright blue eyes."

   I bristled. Her words didn't feel like compliments. "What do you want?"

   She smiled critically at me. "Very little."

   She rested her chin on her arms. "How old are you?"

    "Twenty-six."

   She rolled her eyes impatiently. "Not your mortal age. When did you change?"

    "Five months ago."

   Her eyes widened in surprise. "That young? And he's already so devoted to you. Unexpected." She reached behind her and pulled out a silver dagger. I didn't take my eyes off it as she flipped it over, the point toward her elbow, and set her arm over it on top of the chair. It was made of a solid piece of silver. The blade was thin and about three inches long. The handle had angled sides and some kind of etching down to the hilt.

    "Who are you?" I was trying to keep my voice from shaking.

   "I'm sorry," she replied. "I should introduce myself. My name is Esther." She pronounced it Ezter, holding on to the vowels and swallowing the last of her name into her throat. "And you are Kaja. Under normal circumstances, I'd say it was a pleasure to meet you. Still, things are never normal for people like us."

   She seemed to be flittering between being indignant and friendly as if she couldn't decide which way to behave.

    "Tell me, do you know who he is?" She had gone back to indignant.