From the Ashes

21

Daisy isn't sure what reality is. She has lost all perception of time while trapped in her cement prison. The only thing keeping her sane at the moment is the occasional random conversation with Alec.

"Pig," Alec says.

"Cow," Daisy responds.

"Turkey."

"Pidgeon."

The animal-naming game goes on for a while until Daisy accidentally says, "Pidgeon" again.

"Yes! Get wrecked." Alec's laugh echoes throughout the cell blocks.

However, a sudden beeping noise causes his laughter to stop. Immediately, the two werewolves are back to feeling tense and rigid. Their one fleeting moment of happiness has now been stolen from them by whoever dares to walk through the steel door.

The first indicator of the intruder is the clicking of his expensive dress shoes against the floor. Daisy knows who it is by this since she has never actually seen his face, only Alec has had the pleasure of seeing him.

Every now and then the man would stop by and have a quick check-up on Alec. He has never once come to Daisy's cell, and she is beginning to think that he has completely forgotten about her—not that she's complaining.

The man sighs as he comes to a stop in front of Alec's lounging form. Alec looks up from his comfortable position lazily, his eyes holding a bored gaze. His head rests on his arms that are crossed behind his head, and his ankles crossed out in front of him.

"Fancy seeing you here." The man in the nice, navy suit smiles down at the Italian werewolf.

Alec doesn't respond. He continues to stare at the auburn-haired man blankly, not fazed at this point.

"Well then." The spiffy-looking young man sighs again. "So anyway, I should tell you that your brother is dead."

Alec's heartbeat quickens in his chest but refuses to give him any visible reaction. He swears that the only person to have satisfaction will be him.

The auburn-haired man groans. "No fun." He pouts. "Well, it's your turn now, honey."

The silver enclosures on both of the cells containing werewolves begin to rise simultaneously.

Alec ditches his bored persona and springs up into a defensive stance as if daring him to lay a hand on him.

Men and women dressed in black military-like attire appear out of nowhere and surround Alec. He tries his best to fight them off, swinging pouches and kicking, but none of them even budge. He is soon being held still, unable to move.

"I swear, if you've done anything to him—" Alec's voice growls at a dangerously low octave, and his eyes shine a furious shade of yellow. Fangs grow in his mouth and claws at his fingertips. He jerks violently in the guard's arms.

The man with the auburn hair moves through the crowd of black-uniforms and stands right in front of him. "I thought you wanted to pretend to be bored?" He reaches out a pale hand and rests it on Alec's shoulder for just a second and retracts it back.

Alec immediately feels himself calm and has no desire to fight back, his body slacks in the grips of the ones holding him.

"What—" Alec gasps and his body relaxes, but his brain is still on fire. His fangs and claws retract, and he feels his eyes change back to normal too.

"Good boy," the man coos at the werewolf and pats his head. He turns on his heel to the other werewolf who stands at the entrance now, staring at him in complete confusion and fear.

He clasps his hands together and steps forward. "Isn't this fun, Daisy dear?" A wicked smirk appears on his soft features, giving her a glimpse at the true intentions behind his innocent face.

"Unfortunately, however, I don't want to mess with you just yet." He motions for one of the guards to get her.

Daisy doesn't fight. Her eyes find Alec and they share a look that tells each other that they've lost hope. The woman who grabbed her, yanks her arm roughly, and injects her with a murky, green liquid.

The world around Daisy begins to spin. Her last thought, a plea. Tony, where are you?