Vanished Sisters The Lycan King's Slave Island novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Davelina’s POV

16%

“But how is that sustainable? We’re running out of girls! Don’t you see?” Sebastian slammed his fist against the wall, the impact echoing down the corridor. “Do you not hear me? The supply is drying up! And you want to keep this same strategy until what–until we’ve depopulated every coastal village within a hundred miles?”

“If necessary,” the silver–haired lord said simply.

The casual cruelty of it–the complete absence of humanity in his voice–made something inside me crack. They were discussing my death, my sister’s potential death, the deaths of countless others, as if we were nothing more than cattle being diverted from one pen to another.

“You’re a fool, Fergus, Sebastian snarled.

Fergus. The silver–haired one.

Sebastian turned his back on Fergus, addressing the rust–colored lord instead. “And you, Gregor.”

Gregor. The rust–colored one.

Gregor tilted his head, considering. “I see a problem with no good solutions. But I also see that ignoring the Wolf King’s needs leads to catastrophic consequences. If you have a better plan, I’m listening.”

“My plan is simple. Sebastian’s hand moved to the hilt of a blade at his belt. “We wait until the next Ebon Tide. His power will be at its weakest. Then we go in there and finish what should have been done long ago.”

The silence that followed was absolute.

“No,” Fergus said finally. His voice was so quiet I almost didn’t hear it. But the menace beneath that single word made my skin prickle.

“No? Sebastian laughed, harsh and bitter.

“He’s not lost,” Sebastian hissed. “He’s gone. There’s nothing left in there but appetite and rage. When are you going to accept that?”

“When I see his corpse. Fergus’s mismatched eyes blazed. “And if you try to hasten that day, Sebastian, you’ll have to go through me first.”

For a moment, I thought they would fight right there. The tension was a physical thing, pressing down on the corridor like a weight. Sebastian’s blade was halfway out of its sheath, and Fergus’s hands had begun to shift, claws extending.

Then Gregor stepped between them.

“Enough.” His voice carried a note of command that surprised me. “Sebastian, you’re not going to convince Fergus. And Fergus, Sebastian’s concerns aren’t entirely without merit.” He glanced at me, still sprawled on the floor in my transparent veil, and something almost like regret flickered across his features. “But the reality is this: we’ve already tried denying him. The results were disastrous. Until we have a real plan–a workable strategy for the Ebon Tide–we maintain the current arrangement

He looked back at Sebastian. “That means she goes in.”

My heart stopped.

O

1/3

13

20:37 Thu, Feb 12 G

Chapter 10

“This is a waste,” Sebastian muttered, but his hand fell away from his blade.

16%

“Perhaps. Gregor’s tone was businesslike now. “But it’s a necessary waste. Unless you’d prefer to risk another massacre?*

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. For a long moment, he didn’t respond. Then something shifted in his expression–a cold smile spread across his face.

“Fine. If we’re going to waste her anyway…” He turned back toward me, and the look in his eyes made my blood freeze. “Might as well make it

quick.”

Before I could react, he strode over and grabbed me by the hair, yanking me to my feet with brutal force. I screamed as my scalp burned, my

hands flying up to try to pry his fingers loose.

“Sebastian- Fergus’s voice held a note of warning.

“What?” Sebastian dragged me toward the door, ignoring my struggles. “You said she goes in. I’m putting her in. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

He was enjoying this. I could hear it in his voice–a sick satisfaction at my pain and terror.

Gregor had moved to the door, key in hand. The lock turned with a grinding sound that echoed through my bones.

“Wait- I tried to twist in Sebastian’s grip, tried to look at the other two lords. Fergus stood back, his face expressionless but his mismatched eyes watching intently. Gregor’s expression was almost regretful as he pulled the door open.

Hot, fetid air rushed out from the darkness beyond.

“Please!” I sobbed.

“Now stop your whining.” Sebastian’s voice was mocking.

With casual cruelty, he lifted me by the hair and belt of the veil, swinging me like a sack of grain.

“Enjoy your last moments, pretty thing,” he whispered in my ear. Then he threw me through the doorway.

I flew through the air and crashed hard onto stone, the impact driving the breath from my lungs. My hands scraped raw as I tried to catch

myself.

Behind me, I heard Sebastian’s laughter. “Such a waste of a good face. Ah well.”

The massive iron door swung shut with a boom that shook the walls.

The lock turned. Once. Twice. Three times.

“That’s done, Sebastian’s voice came through the door, already fading as he walked away. “Fergus, you can clean up whatever’s left in the morning. I need a drink.”

And I was alone in the dark with the monster.

The darkness was complete. Not the simple absence of light, but something heavier, more oppressive. It pressed against my eyes, my skin, filling my lungs with every breath.

The air was hot. Stifling. It stank of blood and musk and something else–something wild and rotten that made my stomach heave.

|||

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify