Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 98

**Zora**

The world around me began to awaken slowly, starting with the faintest sounds that trickled into my consciousness like a gentle stream. First, I became aware of my hearing, the muffled whispers and distant rustling of leaves reaching my ears. Then, the sensation returned to my fingers and toes, an almost electric tingle that signaled life was returning to my limbs. But there was something else, something unsettling: a steady drip, drip, drip of liquid that slid down my inner thigh, pooling in a warm puddle. I felt another drop slide down my neck, tracing a chilling path into the valley of my chest.

As I lay there, I could hear the faint clinking of chains, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. Accompanying the clinking were hushed voices, punctuated by muffled snickers that echoed ominously in the stillness.

And then, the pain hit me like a freight train.

My head throbbed mercilessly, each pulse sending waves of agony through my skull. My arms felt like lead, numb from being twisted behind me in an uncomfortable position. Despite their numbness, they ached with a heavy, persistent throb. My legs, suspended in the air, felt as if they were plummeting into an abyss, while the worst of all was the searing pain in my neck. It was as if a dull blade had pierced through, tearing at my flesh and leaving me gasping for breath.

With a low groan of agony, I forced my eyes open.

The darkness enveloping me was thick, almost suffocating, and it took a moment for my senses to adjust. I could hear the wind whistling through the trees, a sound that confirmed I was still trapped in the forest. Gradually, the shadows began to take shape, revealing the outlines of leaves and branches, and then I noticed the figures standing ominously below me.

There were three of them, their skin so pale it seemed to shimmer under the moonlight, casting an eerie glow. They all exuded a masculine energy, two of them sporting long, unkempt brown hair that hung loosely around their shoulders. The third man, however, was strikingly different, with hair as dark as the night sky. He appeared to be the leader, barking hushed orders at his companions with an authority that demanded attention.

“I told you to stop being so greedy!” he snapped, his voice a low growl that sent chills down my spine.

“Gareth, you told us we could have some,” whined one of the brown-haired men, his tone petulant. “Why you lyin’?”

“I’m not,” Gareth replied sharply, his eyes narrowing. “But we have a job to do. If you want to get paid, we need to finish it.”

“Job said unharmed,” the third man grunted, his expression sullen.

Suddenly, there was a crack, a sound that echoed like flesh slapping against flesh. I watched in horror as the third man stumbled backward, clearly caught off guard.

“Stop being a cunt,” Gareth said dismissively. “You’ll get your share of her blood when we finish.”

My blood? Panic surged through me as I rolled my neck, ignoring the pain that flared up and spread like fire across my skin. I glanced down and was horrified to see the liquid dripping from my feet, splattering into a bucket below. My heart raced as I realized the liquid was not dark and murky, but a vivid, horrifying red.

They were collecting my blood in a bucket.

“Stop,” I tried to command, my voice emerging as a hoarse whisper, rough and barely audible. It felt like sandpaper scraping against my throat. Yet, somehow, my plea was loud enough to capture the attention of all three men.

The brown-haired man, who wasn’t sprawled on the forest floor, nudged Gareth with a smirk. “Oi, Gare,” he called. “Pup’s awake.”

Gareth’s gaze snapped up to meet mine, and a wicked smirk spread across his face. I instinctively gasped, unable to contain the sound, and he laughed, a chilling sound that echoed in the night. The corners of his bright red eyes crinkled in delight, and a wave of realization crashed over me: I had been taken by vampires.

—

“Good evening, sleeping beauty,” Gareth crooned, his thick Northern European accent wrapping around his words like a serpent. He tilted his head, his smirk widening as he revealed fangs that protruded menacingly from his upper lip.

“Nice nap?”

“Where am I?” I rasped, my voice barely rising above a whisper.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” sneered the brown-haired man beside Gareth, his tone dripping with mockery.

Gareth extended an arm, crossing it in front of the other man as if to shield me from him. “Come on, Edmund,” he chided playfully. “Don’t tease dinner.”

His eyes glimmered with a predatory hunger, and I felt a whimper escape my lips as I struggled against the bindings that held me captive. The chains rattled ominously, and a sharp, burning sting shot through my skin. I jerked my head to the side, catching sight of the spot where the silver chain had made contact, forming a painful blister that oozed as I fought against my restraints.

Zora! A voice chimed in my mind, and I nearly sighed in relief.

Mona. We’re-

I know, Mona interrupted, her voice urgent. Shift. Let me out. I’ll get us out of here.

I glanced down at the vampires below, my heart pounding with fear and anger, and spat at them. The saliva landed near their feet, eliciting a chorus of laughter from the trio.

“Fuck you!” I hissed, my voice laced with venom. “I’ll kill you!”

The rage surged within me like a wildfire, and I felt the familiar burn of the fire that accompanied my shifting. It built up, an intense heat radiating through me, but just as quickly as it ignited, it dissipated, leaving me cold and powerless.

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