Chapter 3: The Dungeon

The tunnel twisted and turned, the air growing colder with every step Kael took. Elira had stopped struggling—partly because her body was exhausted, and partly because the oppressive darkness made her feel as though the walls themselves were closing in. She could barely see, but Kael moved as if the shadows guided him.

“Where are you taking me?” she demanded, though her voice trembled.

“To a place where you can’t cause trouble,” he replied without looking at her.

“That’s vague and ominous,” she muttered under her breath, but Kael didn’t seem to care.

After what felt like an eternity, the tunnel opened into a cavernous chamber illuminated by the eerie glow of torches mounted along the walls. The stone floor was uneven, damp with moisture, and the sound of dripping water echoed faintly. At the far end of the room, a heavy iron door stood, its surface engraved with runes Elira couldn’t decipher.

Kael carried her to the door, and with a single push, it creaked open. Beyond it was a smaller chamber, its walls lined with dark stone and devoid of windows. A single cot sat in the corner, along with a table holding a flickering candle and a pitcher of water.

“You expect me to stay here?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

“For now,” Kael replied simply, setting her down. Elira backed away from him, her hands clenched into fists. “This is barbaric! I’m not some prisoner you can just lock away.”

Kael leaned against the doorframe, his crimson eyes glinting in the low light. “You were the one who wouldn’t stop running. Consider this the consequence of your defiance.”

Her temper flared. “You have no right to hold me here! Do you realize what my father will do to you when he finds me?”

Kael’s lips curled into a humorless smile. “Your father doesn’t scare me, Princess. And neither do his armies.”

Elira glared at him, anger bubbling to the surface. “Why are you doing this? What could you possibly gain from abducting me?”

Kael’s expression darkened, his playful demeanor fading. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Once he left and the heavy door slammed shut behind him, Elira’s resolve hardened. She wasn’t going to sit here like a damsel waiting to be rescued. She had to find a way out, even if it meant risking everything.

Her first instinct was to test the door. She pushed against it, then shoved with all her weight, but it didn’t budge. The iron was solid, the runes etched into its surface glowing faintly when she touched them. Some kind of magic, she realized, frustration clawing at her.

Next, she turned her attention to the room itself. She inspected the walls, running her hands along the rough stone for any cracks or weak points. It was slow work in the dim candlelight, but her determination kept her going.

Hours passed—or at least, it felt like hours. Her hands were raw, her fingers scraped from feeling along the cold, jagged stones. Still, she refused to give up. Every scrape, every bruise reminded her of what was at stake.

Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she collapsed onto the cot, her body trembling. For the first time since her abduction, the weight of her situation truly sank in. She was alone, trapped in a vampire’s lair, with no idea what awaited her. The thought was almost too much to bear.

But then, a flicker of defiance sparked in her chest. She wouldn’t let this defeat her. She would survive, no matter what.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door unlocking. She shot to her feet, her heart pounding. Kael entered, his imposing figure casting a shadow across the room.

“Still awake?” he asked, his tone casual.

“What do you want?” she demanded, stepping back instinctively.

Kael held up a tray of food—bread, cheese, and a small bowl of soup. “To ensure you don’t starve.”

Elira eyed the tray warily. “You think feeding me will make me cooperate?”

“No,” he replied, setting the tray on the table. “But it will keep you alive. I need you alive.”

“For what?” she pressed, her voice sharp.

Kael didn’t answer right away. Instead, he studied her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. “You’ll understand soon enough, Princess. Until then, save your strength.”

He turned to leave, but Elira couldn’t hold back her frustration. “Why do you hate humans so much? What did we ever do to you?”

Kael stopped in the doorway, his back to her. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and Elira thought he might ignore her. But then, in a voice low and full of bitterness, he said, “You took everything from me.”

The door slammed shut, leaving her alone with his haunting words.

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