Sylvin's Pov
It had been one month since we took her, and two weeks since her atempted escape. Acheron still did not know, and I intend to take that to my grave. If he had found out, she would have to live out the rest of her existance in a damp, dark cell. Thanks to me, she gets outside time on a daily basis. Though, Acheron is starting to talk about drugging her. He said he didn't like the small fire of defiance that raged within her. I understand though. While she did stop trying to run and escape she does other things. Refusing to eat, not sleeping or showeringm refusing to do anything we ask without a fight. Acheron bought these protien bars. They're supposed to make her mind numb. No defiance if we ask her to do something, just compliance. I will say I am getting sick of her throwing the food back at me. It does't matter what I think anyway. I have to do what Acheron wants. I walk down the hall gripping the bar in my hand as I approch Acheron's room. He was gone right now, the people in our town were fighting over the drought. Acheron's presence kept the air here dry despite the country being one of the wettest in the world. He wanted to see her more docile when he returned. I opened the door to find her leaned against the balcony doors again. She refused to sleep in the same bed as Acheron so she spent most of her time there. I closed the door softly behind me and walked up to her. She barely lifted her head. I knelt down beside her and presented the bar to her. "Here, it is still in its packaging. So you know we didn't mess with it." I say firmly. It was a lie though. The bars were already made with the poison. Her stomach growled loudly at the sight. She hesitated before grabbing it and ripping open the paper. She hungrily gnawed at it devouring it within minutes. After she finished with it she closed herself back up, pulling her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. I sighed. "Would you like to go out on the balcony?" I asked, trying to see if she'd take my offer. Her head popped up from it's place burried in her knees. She nodded, ever so slightly. She stood up and I unlocked her cuff allowing her out onto the balcony. She leaned over the rail looking down at the ground below. I watched her carefully making sure she wouldn't try anything. That bar should kick in within an hour. Then I at least wouldn't need to worry. We stayed out on the balcony for a little. Slowly as the drugs worked thier way into her system, I watched the fire in her eyes die. By the time we had to return back inside she was like a zombie. I didn't even need to hold her, she just walked back inside and sat on the floor. Acheron would be pleased. I reattached her cuff and left the room heading towards Acheron's office. I pulled my phone from my pocket and texted Darious. I needed him to moniter her, see how long the drugs would last in her system for. We would need to keep giving her the bars before it was completely out of her. That way she would never regain that defiant glint in her eyes.I sighed running my hand down my face. I opened the door to Acheron's office and stepped around his mound of papers. I settled into his chair and got started on the work he gave me. A few hours later it was time to feed her. Along with the bars I also was tasked with drugging her food. I walked to Acheron's room and opened the door. I looked for her by the balcony doors but she was not there. I scanned the room, she couldn't be far. There was no way she'd break another bone trying to escape. There. On the bed. Wow, she was never on the bed. I walked over assessing her. She was peacefully sleeping. Her snores were light, her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. I would hate to wake her up, but she was our captive and in four years she was going to die anyway, so I guess it didn't really even matter. I let out a heavy breath, "Wake up! It's time to eat." I bark. She bolts upright, her eyes darted around frantically, before locking onto me. Her expression morphs into fear as she tries to back away from me. I smirk slightly before catching her ankle and dragging her towards me. She lets out a startled gasp. I guess the drugs wore off. No matter, a quick shot from Luna will fix that. I unlock her cuff and drag her downstairs to the lab. Luna was working on another experimental drug, one we would try on her tomorrow when Acheron returned. She turned to face me, smiling slighty. "What can I do for you Sylvin?" She aksed walking over and crossing her arms. "She needs a shot." I say vaugely. Luna nods and walks to her table picking up a syringe and pulling medicine from a bottle. Audra struggled to pull away from me, but my grip was tight. I held her arm still while Luna stuck the shot in. "There, that should do it." She hummed. I thank her and we exit the lab going towards the mess hall. The drugs kicked in about halfway through our walk, she stopped resisting, She just numbly followed behind me. I sat her down at a table and left her while I picked up a plate of food for her. I poured a powdered drug into her food and then set the tray down in front of her. She began mindlessly eating. I smirked, but it wavered slightly as I watched her. Her fire was gone, she was just a little puppet to us. A tool Acheron needs for his plan. And I was the one that did this to her. Some part of me, deep, deep down felt bad. She is so young, but she is the only one that can help Acheron succeed.
The Next day
Acheron's Pov
I hated dealing with politics. Petty arguments, endless complaints—my people were never satisfied. But as the King of Fire, it was a necessary burden. No matter. I was back now. And I was eager to see the results. As soon as I entered my office, Sylvin was already waiting for me. I took my seat, folding my hands atop the desk. "Well?" I asked, expectant. He smirked. "They're working perfectly." I nodded. "Good. Any progeress on awakening her power?" I ask, raising a brow. "Luna has a formala planned for today. She thinks it has a good chance." He responds. I nod, waving my hand dissmissivly. Sylvin leaves the room and I sigh looking at all the work that had to be done. They'd be taking her in an hour, not much time to cut through this stack. I crack my knuckles and get started. Right on time an hour later my phone dings. The ritual was starting. I head down stairs and once they see me they started. She was strapped to the table with metal cuffs and her body looked relaxed. Good the drugs seemed to be working well. They started chanting and Luna injects something into her chest. Audra writhes in pain, her body convulsing violently. Five minutes later the chanting stopped, smoke curled around the room from the incense. What happened? I storm into the room, towering over Luna. She cowered slightly before looking up at me. "It didn't work. My ratios must have been off." She explained hurridly. "But, I . . I think I know what went wrong." She added quickly. "I'm tired of waiting Luna. Figure it out!" I grit. She nods rappidly. "Yes sir, I will work all night on a new formula." She scurries away and Sylvin takes Audra off the table. He carries her limp form out of the room and up the stairs. I rake my hand through my hair frustrated. "Damnit!" I yell punching the wall beside me. I inhale a sharp breath. She can't wait much longer. She needs this power. I need this power.
One month later
Luna needed more time. She always needed more time. I paced the lab floor watching her work. She claimed she had perfected the formula. I let out a sharp laugh, she's been telling me that for a month. If she fails today, I'll replace her. I don't have room fro someone who can't deliver. I clench my fist. Yes, Luna will have no choice. Perhaps she's stalling on purpose. No, no, she wouldn't. Or would she? No matter. One way or another Audra's power will be mine. I sigh before exiting the lab. She should be waking up soon. I climb the stairs to my bedroom and enter, the door creaked slightly as I closed it behind me. I walk over and shake her awake. "Rise and shine princess. Time to start the day!" I bark. She bolts upright, startled, her body tense as her eyes darted around the room. Sylvin enters my room with her breakfast tray. Both items on the menu were made for her, consisting of a special set of herbs that numbed her mind. Limited her rationality. She was completley complacint. I didn't even have to chain her anymore. I slid open the doors to the balcony and stepped out into the crisp morning air. The cool summer air wrapping around me as I took a seat in my chair. I skimmed through my emails absentmindedly. She hesitated, and slowly she stepped outside and took a seat beside me. She stared out at the forest below us. Lifting her cup, she took a small sip of coffee. A flicker of disgust crossed her face, but she swallowed anyway. I smirked, "You know," I mused, barely glancing up from my phone, "If you're this obedient after awakening, I may not even have to kill you. As long as you do everything I say." She froze. For a second—just a second—her fingers tightened around the cup. Then, just as quickly, she relaxed. Her expression remained empty, unreadable. But I saw it. That flicker of fear. That tiny, pathetic sliver of hope. She thinks she has a chance. I smiled wickedly, humming in satisfaction. "Such a good girl you've been." I stood, stretching my muscles. "Finish your coffee. Sylvin will come get you soon." She nodded. Obedient. I exit the room and turn toward my office, walking away. I gave her hope. A meaningless, fragile hope. It made no difference. Because in the end, she was already dead. A magic core was like the soul of a person. Once it was gone, they died.
Audra would die.
And her magic would be mine.