A Cage Of Shadows

A dull ache in her skull with a sharp pain in her wrists, the cold press of metal around her ankles, and the sensation of movement; subtle, rhythmic, the feeling of being transported while the world came back to Selene in fragments She forced her eyes open, blinking against the harsh overhead lights. The air was thick with the scent of chemicals and something sterile like she had woken up in the middle of a prison hospital. Her arms were restrained, bound tightly to the metal chair she sat in, and her legs shackled to the floor. Panic curled in her gut, where was she? Her breath came faster as she scanned the room, it was small, windowless, and clinical, too clean and precise, the walls were lined with stainless steel cabinets, medical trays, and flickering monitors that hummed softly in the background. The door opposite her was heavy, reinforced with a single way in and a single way out. A typical definition of prison. Her jaw tightened and Lucian's memories rushed back; Axel collapsing, the gunshot, Lucian's men surrounding her, the pain that came before darkness. Her pulse spiked, was Axel still alive? She pulled at her restraints, testing them, but the metal cuffs dug into her skin and refused to come off then, the door clicked. Selene stiffened, her muscles coiling as she watched it slowly swing open and Lucian stepped inside. He was as composed as ever, his movements smooth and unhurried, he closed the door behind him, the soft echo of the latch settling like a final lock sealing her fate, his expression was unreadable, but there was a quiet amusement in his eyes, like he was enjoying this. Selene's voice was raw, edged with fury. 'Where is Axel?" Lucian smirked. 'Alive, for now." But she didn't trust him, not after what he had done. 'If you hurt him…." Lucian let out a small chuckle, shaking his head as he approached. 'You're not in a position to make threats, Selene." His gaze flickered to her restraints before returning to her face. 'But I do admire your spirit." Selene's nails dug into her palms, she had to stay calm because losing control wouldn't get her out of this. Lucian leaned against the edge of a metal table beside him, watching her like she was an interesting puzzle he was still figuring out. 'Do you know why you're here?" Selene met his gaze without hesitation. 'Because you're a control-obsessed bastard who can't stand losing." Lucian's lips twitched, but there was no humor in his smile. 'Close, but not quite." He folded his arms, tilting his head slightly. 'You think this has all been about survival, don't you? Running, fighting, and trying to escape but what if I told you… you were never meant to escape?" Selene's spine stiffened, what was he saying? Lucian's smirk grew as he watched the realization flicker in her eyes. 'We let you run. We let you fight. Every move you've made… was exactly what we wanted."Her breath caught in her throat. No, he was lying, he had to be lying. Lucian took a slow step forward. 'From the moment you got involved with Axel, from the moment you thought you could change your fate, this was always the endgame." Selene's chest tightened, she had been played. Lucian exhaled, almost like he was disappointed. 'You never stood a chance, Selene, the only thing you ever controlled was how long you delayed the inevitable." Rage coiled inside her, sharp and consuming. 'Then what do you want?" Lucian smiled, dark and knowing. 'I want you to listen and then, I want you to make a choice." Selene's jaw clenched. 'I already made my choice." Lucian's gaze flickered with something unreadable.'No, Selene, you only think you did." He gestured toward the monitors behind him with a soft click and the screens lit up, Selene's stomach dropped. The first screen showed Axel, he was lying on a hospital bed, hooked up to machines, his body barely moving, the second screen showed Caleb, he was sitting in a different room, his hands bound, his expression tight with barely concealed anger. Lucian turned to her, his voice calm, deliberate. 'I told you before, Selene, this was never just about you." Selene's breath shook. Lucian tapped the screen displaying Axel. 'He has hours left without medical intervention, you know that." Then, he tapped the screen showing Caleb. 'And he has maybe half that, depending on how much patience my men have." Selene felt sick. Lucian took another slow step forward, standing directly in front of her now. 'You want to save them? Then I'll give you a deal." Selene's throat tightened, here it was, the trap. Lucian's voice lowered. 'You stay and work for me, you do what I ask without question." Selene's fingers twitched against her restraints. 'And if I refuse?" Lucian's smirk didn't waver. 'Then you watch them die." The words hung in the air, suffocating while Selene's mind raced, there had to be another way… Lucian leaned in slightly, his voice softer now. 'You don't have time to hesitate." She looked at the screens again seeing Axel, unconsciously and dying. Caleb, bound and helpless, felt the chains around her wrists, the weight of her choice crushing her. Lucian's voice was almost gentle. 'Decide, Selene."Her chest ached, then she closed her eyes and she made her choice.