Chapter 4 Chapter four

TRIGGER WARNING: Depictions of coercion and sexual violence

I pressed my body into the leather corner of the carriage, as far as the cramped space around us would allow. but it wasn't enough. even as I kept my eyes down and fixed on my hands that gripped the ends of my knees, I could feel this disgusting man's heated gaze on me. but one thing kept me from breaking down.

I cursed them.

Every man, every beast who'd had a hand in me being here right now, I cursed them all from the bottom of my heart.

Whoever they were. Wherever they were. I hoped each and every one of those bastards rot in hell. Assuming there was still a hell in this damned world. If there were, I bet it would have been empty, because all its inhabitants were in this world.

Barron Von Furstenberg, that was his name. I’d come across his profile far too many times to count. If there were a list of vile and untrustworthy politicians, his name would easily be among the first five. He had taken off the gold studded mask he had been wearing when he first approached me, and his face was just as I’d expected it to be. Round, flushed at the cheeks with tiny black beads for eyes that tracked my every move.

“Comfortable?” the man finally asked.

I didn't give him the honor of a response.

He let out a deep sigh and leaned back, legs spread wide as he puffed cigar smoke directly into my face. I turned my head away, bile rising from the stench of tobacco filling the already tight space. My fingers tightened around my dress. Then the carriage hit a hard bump, and I slid toward him, but I grabed the edge of the seat just in time.

“You know,” he started, filling the painfully awkward silence with what he clearly thought was pleasant conversation.

He’d already bought me. Couldn’t he at least grant me the dignity of silence just this once? I grimaced inwardly.

“I’ve been collecting rare humans for nearly a decade now. Seen hundreds of humans being passed through those auction halls. But you?” he let out a low whistle. “You’re something special, Crystal Noir.”

Barron chuckled as he reached his hand out to touch me, and out of defensive instinct, I slapped his hand away.

“Keep your mits to yourself, you pig.” I sneered. My words dripping with hateful venom. “And never say my name as if you know I am, because clearly, you don't.”

“Hah, but I do know you, Crystal." Barron said as he held my gaze with a grain of salt. "Though we've never met officially I know you." His smile never faltered.

"Well, I know just how much someone is willing to pay for that pretty little head of yours.” he finished with a shrug as he reached into his jacket to pull out a crumpled sheet of paper, then unfolded it. All the while my heart continued to hammer anxiously. What did he mean by that? He wasn't the one who bought me?

“I know everything about. Crystal Noir, attorney at Covenant City legal aid. It says you specialize in human rights advocacy." He looked up to meet my eyes again. "Isn’t that cute?” he chuckled as he flipped through more of my information that should have been private to the public.

“How did you get that--”

“Ah--This is interesting.” he crooned, his eyes lighting up as he sifted through the information in the file.

“What?!” I snapped. What could possibly be so interesting that he looked like he had just found oil?

A vicious grin spread across his face, and I recoiled at what he might have found.

“It says here that you’re" A pause, then he continued. "...a virgin.”

Heat spread across my face faster than butter left on a sidewalk on a hot day.

“A virgin?” he laughed. “With looks like yours, I could have sworn you were a little whore.”

“Not everyone can be as disgusting as you. So, fuck you.” I spat, my anger simmering to a near boiling point beneath the surface.

“Oh, you will. Soon enough.” He licked his mouth and I felt my stomach drop when the carriage lurched forward. His laugh louder, a wet horrible snorting sound as his real form began to show. Tusks grew out of his mouth, the suit he had on strained even more, and his skin turned pinkish and my eyes widened with ugly realization.

So, that’s what he was, a hog beast.

Before I could react, his thick hand shot out and grabbed my arm, yanking me across the carriage and I slammed into his barrel chest with a yelp. But before I could move out of the way, his arm wrapped around my waist, trapping me against him.

“Ew! No! Let go of me!” I tried to struggle, but it only encouraged him as his grip tightened. The bastard was like a fucking brick wall. His fingers dug into my arm hard enough to bruise.

“Yes, that’s it.” he snorted. “Resist me.” his cold pig nose brushed against my face and I squirmed.

“You can’t do this to me,” I continued to struggle. “I’ll fucking sue you into the ground. I’ll--”

“I like your fire, girl.” His snort cut me off. “It only makes me want you even more.” his breath was hot and reeking of cheap wine that made me want to throw up. “The little human attorney who thinks she can change the world. Tell me, how did that work out for you?”

His large hand grabbed my backside, while the other one still managed to hold onto my arm and I squealed in disgust, but this gave me just enough space to be able to get one arm free enough to swing it. The back of my palm came down hard with a satisfying crack on the right side of his swollen cheek and the reaction of the impact was instant.

The smile slid off his face, in its place was a scowl so horrible he looked like a demon.

“Now,” he said quietly. “That was a mistake.”

My eyes widened, but my heart was racing because of the adrenaline, and instead of fear, all I wanted to do was fight back.

Barron shoved me back against the seat so hard all the air in my lungs rushed out, and before I could fully recover from the impact, he was already on me which was then followed by the painful sound of the fabric of my dress tearing.

“Wait. Please stop.” I pleaded with him. This wasn’t how I wanted to remember my first time. I’ve handled rape cases in the past. Each story more painful than the last, but this…this experience right now, it was far more terrifying as my innocence flashed before my eyes.

A single tear drop rolled down my cheek as I shut my eyes.

“Please…”