Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 48 - Questions and Answers "Belief can be manipulated. Only knowledge is dangerous. -Frank Herbert Kiya I should spend a normal summer evening in my bed with the air conditioner blasting, surrounded by fatty snacks, and a good movie playing on the television screen. Relaxing with a touch of lazy. At least, that should be how I spend my first night back home.

Instead, I'm smashing my enchanted wrist cuffs against the corner of a lavish table in a fancy room in a strange mansion in the middle of nowhere! My saving grace is I'm alone without Osiris' pet snake. He took Pepi with him because he knew I'd punt that thing like a football again. Artemis, watching my latest feats in the corner of my mind, snorted as I failed to make a single dent into my cuffs. I've been trying to escape out of these things for hours with no luck! "I think its clear to say the old-fashioned way is not helping you to get out of those things." She pointed out. "You're going to tire yourself out." "Whatever magic is in these things is tiringout!" The only thing more dented than the table corner is my ego. "F*cking hell! Osiris is an asshole for putting these things on me!" "It's obvious he doesn't want you fighting back. Kidnappers want their victims helpless." "Too bad for him. I'm not a victim." Giving up on the cuffs, my mind goes into overdrive to create another plan. Osiris is a shrewd and cunning man, cutting off all escape routes. He planned this long before capturing me. I've contemplated throwing myself against the window a third time, but layers of unbreakable glass reinforced. the damn thing. To add insult to injury, since I cannot access my powers or shift, my body to the window was like a rubber ball to a wall. I bounced back. Hard.

Then, there is the door. Osiris bolts it closed every the leaves. But if I could escape through the door, I have to deal with Cerberus guarding the door on the other side. Considering the extrheight and build differences between us, all he has to do is flick my head with a finger and I'm forced back inside.

Frustration bubbled and sizzled, coursing through my veins as I've reached the limit of my dwindling patience. Caged inside an airless room with no escape remindedof my dark days, and I hated it. I hate Osiris for what he's doing to me; laying cryptic messages only to irkfor his amusement.

My stomach growled like a lion with hunger twisting my insides. I haven't eaten since I woke up and it added to my irritation. According to Galen, a hungryis never a pleasant sight. Well, if worst comes to worse, I could eat Osiris' stupid face.

Speaking of that snake, the story of his past hadn't left my thoughts. It interconnects his pain and mine. through the brutality we suffered under the spack that should've protected us. Zircon Moon had failed us both for years, and I can't say I'm surprised. However, a part ofurges to exercise caution. A chance that Osiris is making the story up is high. He could use this false tale to manipulate me.

Deep down, I feel he isn't lying. But could Osiris be sick enough to dream up such a story? To fake his suffering? My mind suddenly flashes to my first kidnapping; the evident fear from the other avatars, the unyielding sense of control from the hybrids-everything replayed like a broken record. I still remember the panic when Questions and Answer Nadia helped free us and the chaos that followed. We could've died that day because of Osiris' actions. Nadia's fate is still unknown. Sitting on the bed, I thought about that innocent human and how she was unfortunate to get tangled into that mess. My vision blurred as I remembered the exhaustion in her eyes when imprisoning us and the determination when she set us free. That woman, bound to that monster, risked her life to save us. Those hands broke our chains and led us to our freedom. I owe Nadia my life. However, Cerberus snatched her back in that fire and that's the last I saw of her.

Is she alive or dead? What about Lucien, the vampire who was with her? My lips contorted into a scowl. I had questions, and Osiris has the answers. While I do sympathize with him, that's no excuse for what he's done. He almost killed my family, just as he did again today. That's unforgivable! So, like the unwilling, hell-raising prisoner I am, I made noise to get his attention. My fists and feet made an ensemble of obstreperous racket made of stomps, wall hits, tossing items about carelessly, and screaming like a toddler on time-out. Osiris has no right to ignorefor hours, leavinghungry and pissed! Lucky for me, my behavior granted my wishes. Like a mysterious magician, the bastard appeared at my door with savory smelling food on a carrying tray. His face failed to hide his irritation as his crimson eyes soaked in the mess I've made of the room.

"There are better ways of getting my attention, Little Moon." Osiris huffed. "You didn't have to throw a tantrum." "Oh, I'm sorry! N Next tI shall ring for a butler to go fetch you!" I shot back. My eyes trailed his movements as he set the tray on a bare table. On cue, my stomach demanded for the large plate of creamy chicken alfredo with breadsticks and seasoned broccoli on the side. A small pitcher of water was there as well. Werewolf instincts wanted the food, but I remained put. "I'm not eating that." "Why not? I know you haven't eaten, and I wouldn't want you to go to sleep hungry." "Oh, now you care for my wellbeing? I'm not taking the risk of getting drugged again." "You much rather starve? Don't worry, I didn't drug your food." Osiris chuckled, gathering the fallen items, and setting them back on the bed. "I don't think someone with an appetite of your caliber should go long without food. Plus, I made it and I like to know what you think." My mind spun. Did my kidnapper askto rate his food? I might be an amateur food critic, but it doesn't change my mind. In defiance, I crossed my arms and stared him down. "No, I don't trust you." "Fair enough." He shrugged. "Well, what can I do to make you eat? Your stomach roars louder than untamed lions." "Speeding past that comment, I have questions. Answer them, and I'll consider eating." It doesn't help that the presentation is immaculate. Osiris regardedwith a heavy look after resetting the blankets. His long silvery hair swayed with his movements like silk, and his red eyes held amusement. Moving with grace, he took a seat on the mattress, crossing one leg over the other and folded his hands.

"Very well. Ask away, dear." He flashed his pearly white teeth, unbothered to hide his fangs. The surrounding atmosphere thickened with a sense of danger, prompting my heart to race in my chest. Averting my eyes, I focused on the paintings rather than the heat of his stare.

Chapter 48 - Questions and Answers "Don't call'dear." I snarled. "We'll start with the first kidnapping. Why did you take the avatars in the first place?- "I wanted an army and I still do. Society has mistreated hybrids for so long, so I did something about it. I have... plans, Kiya." His frank honesty was alarming. "Avatars have incredible potential, but its laid to waste. We're practically gods yet many chosen to assimilate into modern society." "You're one yourself. If you claim that we're walking gods, then there is no point in needing us." "That's where you're mistaken. Sure, let's take the notion that we're put on this earth to spread sbogus message about unity and whatnot amongst our species. That's the typical tale we're told, unless your deity is one of darkness. We can bend and mold reality however we want, but schoose not to. I, for one, will do whatever the f*ck I want." I grabbed a chair and planted my behind on the soft red cushion several feet from the mad vampire. "You said you wanted a partner in your plans, but what about Nadia? She's your mate, and you strung her along like a doll." Osiris glared back at me, crimson void of its earlier amusement. "Take a gander at what happens to traitors. Nadia was my mate, but like all humans, she was worthless in the end. Set was enamored of her, desperate to make her his. After I got rid of him, the bond disappeared. However, Nadia still had suse and since she was in love with me, I kept her around." "Nadia had more backbone than you! She was a gift, and you threw her aside!" I shouted, fists shaking at my sides. "She risked everything for complete strangers, and you killed her because she stood up against your tyranny! She was a human, she's better than you!" Osiris refused to confirm or deny that he killed her, but I didn't need it. Nadia was the bravest human I've ever met. At the bottom of the totem pull in that crazy cult-like prison, she did what was right. Sadness chilled my core in thought about her unfortunate fate. Selene paired her with Osiris for a reason, and I don't think that reason ever cto fruition. Osiris" madness was too strong for her to heal.

I wanted to cry, but I refused to in front of the beast. Blinking back my tears, I steadied my labored breathing, controlling the urge to leap from my seat and tear those white tresses out of his scalp.

"Are you done?" Osiris asked, bored.

"No." I shook my head. "What's the point in all of this? You broughthere and I deserve the right to know what your plans are with me. If you're such a powerful avatar, you don't needto destroy Zircon Moon." "You're right. Logically, I don't need you to destroy that sorry pack, but your purpose is much greater than that. Why stop with just one?" "Wait..." A sudden thought struck my head, remembering the stories and reports trailing back several months. "Are you the one responsible for the recent destruction of the packs around Nevada and in the Tri-state area?" His flashy smile gavehis answer. "Do you know how many lives you've destroyed?!" "Hundreds and each of them deserved their fate!" Osiris shot back. I rose from my seat, glaring at him with all the hatred I can muster.

"You've destroyed families! Your beef is with Zircon, but you've destroyed other packs for what?! Do you hate werewolves that much?" Chapter 48-Questions and Answers "Yes. And that is why you'll helpcleanse the world of them." My heart dropped to the floor. Sweat perfused out of my pores with the growing sensation of uneasiness settling in as Osiris continued. "As the to bless avatar of Selene, not only do you have the power hose hounds, but you can destroy them too. Bend them to your will. But, since you've only awoken a short tago, you don't understand the full depth of your powers, judging by that cute look on your face."

"Listen and listen well, you bastard.” I snarled, "There is no way in hell that I'll help you accomplish this om messed-up mission. Mave my En problems with Zircon, but it's not enough to wish death against my race! I'm sorry for what happened to you and Amber, but I'm not her. And I'll never be your puppet." Osiris released a burst of wicked laughter, not quite from the belly but from the throat. "You say that now, but the darkness within you says different. Believe what you want, Little Moon, but nothing can stop me. Not even you. Soon, you'll realize that it is better to destroy than to mend." "You're a monster!" My shouts meant nothing to him as he stood to take his leave.

"Eat. I'll be back for the dishes." Oh, no, he won't ignorelike this! "You claim Selene spat on Amber's memory by havingborn in Zircon Moon, but all I see, is you shitting on her memory too. To list off the shit you've done; you tookfrom my family, markedagainst my will, and imprisonedhere! You're just like Alpha Titan!" Ured

The vampire stopped in his tracks.

His back went rigid as he stood straight and tall. Anger erupted and out of him like scorching-hot lava threatening t to burn everything in the room;included. Before I could blink, my world blurred in a flurry of muddled colors and my back was forced against the wall with heavy, furious panting above me.

When my vision cleared, glowing crimson peered deep into my soul, chaining it to its metaphorical prison. I couldn't look away, nor did I have the strength to. In his haunting red, fury swam, toiled, and burned Osiris" enormous hands pinned my wrists to the wall, sending shivers rocketing through my body with reckless abandon. The distance between our bodies was nonexistent, for my chest and torso can feel every inch of his hard muscles. My heart throbbed in synchronicity with my mark, which my mind hated but my body loved.

"I don't want to hurt you, Little Moon." Osiris' thick, hoarse voice rung like sirens in my ear with his breath tickling my earlobe. "But if you compareto that beast in wolf's skin again, there will be repercussions you won't like." After what seemed like an eternity, the vampire releasedfrom his hold. My knees buckled and gave out, sendingto the ground. "Eat." He ordered before exiting my room in a flood of heat, slamming the door behind him. I press my hand to my chest, steading my rapid breathing that cabout as soon as he left. I pissed off a vampire and lived. And I'm not waiting around for a next time! The alfredo has gone cold, but I couldn't care less. Staying around a dangerous, insane vampire is not part of my life plans, but getting the hell of here is. Solidifying my resolve, I shot up on my feet and ran to the door, hoping Osiris forgot to lock it.

And what do you know? He did! The door swung open with a soft squeal, revealing a barren hallway without a soul in sight. Taking a deep whiff, Cerberus scent has gone stale and Osiris is nowhere to be found. "What a f*cking idiot!" I cackled through my mind-link with Artemis. "It's smooth sailing from here!" "Be careful, Kiki." My wolf warned. "It could be a trap." "Understood Tto make my escape! Chapter Comments