Chapter 32: Chapter 32

A week had passed like a blur, they collected two bags of my blood each day and every day Sage would provide me with human food to gain back my energy in order to produce more blood. I was living no less of an animal in a cage. It’s been days, I lost count. My life is coming to an end, I could feel it. I am slowly losing my powers. I can barely heal myself from the bruises and open cuts made by these sharp chunks of metals wrapped around my skin.

My bones are already visible; my skin is now filled with wrinkles like an aging human. I can barely see clearly, the surroundings appeared to be blurry and dark. I presume my eyeballs have shrunk into my sockets by now. I probably look like shit.

I licked my cracked, dry lips and swallowed the lump in my throat. The smell of dried blood on my chin down to my neck was disgusting and itchy.

Sage has already left my cell a couple of hours ago since he has finished feeding me my lunch. The sunlight has disappeared from the window, the sun has set and the basement is slowly being eaten by darkness. For some reason, I felt nothing as I stared at the dark cell across mine. I wasn’t afraid of the dark anymore. I wasn’t afraid of dying anymore. I have stopped caring whether or not I recover those stupid memories.

I have lost hope. Ambrose took that hope away from me. I wanted to make him pay so badly but I couldn’t do a thing because he had me locked up. I am in his territory and there is no way he will let me out after he uses me. I will be forever here as a prisoner until I lose my last breath.

A rush of fear came to me when I heard heavy footsteps approaching.

“Is it full already?” Ambrose checked the blood bag which is now full with my blood.

He smiled, “Oh, it’s full.” He said, talking to himself.

Ambrose replaced the bag with another empty one. I could only glare at him and hiss while he looked at me like I amused him.

He touched my arm and pinched it, “Goodness, you look so thin.” He paused, eyeing my skinny arms and legs.

“You should eat more to provide more healthy blood. I will tell Sage to cook you more rabbit steak and plenty of greens for you.” Everything about him simply annoys the hell out of me. The way he will look at me mockingly, it makes my blood boil.

He gave me a nod, “Good night, Feyre.” He then locked my cell and left.

I shivered at the wave of cold wind. My teeth made chattering noises as the warmth in my body slowly fades away. I exhaled shakily; my knees and feet were already so numb beneath the dirty water.

Sage unlocked the door of my cell, “Feyre,” He called out.

I hummed in response as I tried to lift up my head.

He looked at me pitifully, “Here, you need to eat.”

“Water,” I struggled to say because of my dry voice.

He quickly placed the tip of the glass over my lower lip. Slowly, I drank from it. He then fed me a meal for dinner. I slowly chew my food even though my jaw hurts as it moves. My throat was sore as I swallowed the lump of bread.

“I’m so sorry, Feyre.” He mumbles, his voice cracked as he speaks. I could hear how painful he had felt while saying those words.

Sage looked at me with watery eyes. I know he’s hurt to see me like this. I could feel his emotions deep in his amber eyes. He was nothing like the others, he can feel. I could see warmth in him. Unlike Sage, the others were as dead as corpses. Sage is almost human, as human as me but he chose to be Ambrose’s puppet. For that, I cannot forgive him. A coward, that’s what he chose to be.

I stared at him blankly, “I will take my leave now,” Sage looked at me again but I chose to ignore him.

After I was done eating, he locked the cell again and left me. I heard his footsteps moving towards the stairs and the room was covered again with silence.

It was around midnight when I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Feyre,” Someone whispered out my name. Is this another hallucination?

“Feyre, wake up.” I heard the person say softly.

My eyes fluttered and saw a pair of amber eyes. He wore a dark cloak that hooded his head to keep his face hidden but right now, he has removed the hood so I’ve easily recognized his face.

“Sage?” I called his name in a low voice.

He then whispered again, “Hey,” He smiled at me reassuringly.

I stared at him with a puzzled look. He’s supposed to be back at home, what is he doing here? Usually, Sage will leave after he has completed his daily task of providing me a meal for the rest of the day. After dinner, he should be at home.

He motioned me to stay quiet and I nodded slowly. Carefully, he unlocked the shackles and laid them on the ground. Those in my ankles were removed too. I tried to stand but my knees were too weak so I ended up falling onto Sage’s arms. He gently picked me up; my bare feet were freezing and dangling a few feet off the ground.

I saw the door slightly opened that leads outside the basement. It was the way towards the side of the castle. I assume he came inside with this door. A low yelp escaped my lips when I felt ice cold snow caressing my skin as soon as we’re outside the castle. Sage has me warm on his chest, wrapped tightly with his strong pair of arms. I didn’t know that Sage had such a muscular build.

“Feyre, we have to speed up.” He said and I just hummed in response because my teeth were chattering and I couldn’t talk properly. I didn’t know that Sage could speed up. He isn’t even a vampire.

In a swift move, I felt a sudden burst of wind coming through my face. I shuddered and leaned onto Sage’s warm clothing as I tried not to vomit because of the nauseous feeling I had every time I’m being carried to speed up.

After a while, I heard a horse neighing and we were moving in a quick pace along with the sound of the horse’s feet against the cold, hard snow on the ground. The bumpy movement of riding the horse was like a lullaby to me, it swung me in a pace and the drowsiness embraced me. Suddenly, I feel sleepy.

“You’re safe now, love.” He spoke softly in my ear, and I felt a warm piece of cloth being placed on top of my shivering body. I let out a sigh of relief when my skin made contact with the dry and warm cloth. My dress was soaked in water and blood. I want to change into a fresh set of clothes but I really can’t move right now and I doubt Sage has brought clothes with him.

I have never felt more safe than seeing those pairs of emerald eyes staring back at me reassuringly. I shut my eyes and hope for the best that this isn’t another dream or hallucination.