Page 4 of Taken to the Deadlands

My bed was high off the ground and decked out in furs and comfortable-looking pillows. From what I could see, the same was true for theirs.

No wonder I felt so cozy.

My gaze darted around the room as images of my encounter with the demon filled my mind.

Kidnapped. I was kidnapped.

Or at least that’s what I thought, but looking at the room I was in, it looked more like a place for royalty than prisoners.

The walls showed exposed brick, but they were draped in beautiful, glittering tapestries. The floors were covered in rugs of a similar material. Above our heads was a large chandelier that reflected light onto everything around us.

“Are you okay?”

I looked at the girls in front of me. The one I assumed had spoken looked at me from under her thick lashes. Her skin flushed the longer I stared. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of purple I had never seen before. That, combined with her fair skin and white hair, made her look ethereal.

“I’m… as good as I could be after getting kidnapped.”

The girl next to her threw her head back with a loud laugh.

Her hair was dyed a deep blue that caught the light as she moved. When she moved to wipe the fake tears from her eyes, I was met with an amused stare. Her brown eyes took me in with obvious interest, and she leaned back onto the bed with a small smirk.

“At least your brain’s working,” she said, then nudged the girl next to her. “This is Iris. I’m Eve. There are a few other girls, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen them. I assume they’re dead.”

“Eve!”

I gave Iris a forced smile when her panicked eyes caught mine. They roamed over my frame before she visibly relaxed.

“I’m Mia, by the way.”

Iris gave me a nod before turning to glare at Eve.

“We don’t know what happened to them, but you shouldn’t scare her,” Iris muttered.

I didn’t know how long they had been cooped up here together, but they seemed to be particularly close. So much so that a bit of envy wormed its way under my skin.

“Can’t you tell if she is or not?” Eve asked.

“I’m not that good of an actor,” I answered her question myself with a small laugh. “I’m still trying to digest everything, so I’m not sure my mind knows how to be anything but confused right now.”

Eve sat up straight, giving me a devilish smile.

“No, that’s her thing,” she explained. “She canseeit, can’t you, little mouse?”

“Don’t call me that.” Iris visibly puffed at her nickname.

I couldn’t tell if their casual attitude was helping or hurting in this situation. I gripped the bedding, trying desperately to calm my racing mind.

All of this was too much, too fast, yet I still needed answers. Ones I wasn’t sure they were willing to give.

“See what?” I asked, desperation seeping into my voice. “Please. I’m losing it here.”

“I can read emotions,” Iris said after a moment. “Seethem. Kinda like an aura.”

I swallowed thickly. “So, what can you… see?”

Eve looked at her as well. Iris shifted her eyes, looking down at her hands.

“You’re confused. It’s frustrating you. You weren’t scared… until I told you about my gift. Sorry.”

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