Pet - Chapter 11 (Patreon)

Grasping. Clawing. Reaching. Each time I try and breathe in, I get nothing. I feel as though I’m suffocating. The world around me is black and cold. So so cold. I feel trapped. And there is no way out. I suck in a breath. Nothing. I try again, but I’m still choking.

A loud gasp echoes around me, and my world is illuminated. I let in a loud breath, and out of reflex, I scream at the top of my lungs. My body begins convulsing, but my arms are restrained by something. I look around me frantically, trying to figure out what’s going on. My body is strapped down on the bed.

“Calm, Iris.” I pause as the sweet voice washes over me. I’d recognize that voice anywhere. It’s petra. The doctor that is the expert on all things human. I watch her in confusion as she comes near me, with a comforting smile.

“You gave master Remus quite the scare, we almost couldn’t get you back," she says. My eyes widen as I remember the reason that I’m even here. Something came over Remus, and he was basically killing me.

She takes a seat next to me and begins checking my body, for what I don’t know. But she writes things down on the pad that she has.

“You should be fine now, your vitals are all returning to normal.”

Before anything else is said, a woman comes in with frightened eyes and speaks to Petra in their foreign language. Petra nods her head, looking back at me.

“Lord Remus wishes to see you,” she murmurs.

I’m walking up the hallway, silently, my nerves getting the best of me. What would he do when he saw me? Is he upset with me? Is he going to hurt me? I round the corner of the hallway and let out a soft gasp. The living room is dimmed, the only light coming from the outside. But the usual in-place glass wall is wide open, leaving a large view of the heavy rain outside. It’s a beautiful sight. I stare in fascination. If I jumped, I would fall to my death below.

“Iris.” I jump, letting out a small squeal. Remus is sitting right by the open window, gazing at the city beyond. His back is to me, but somehow he knows that I’m in the room. I slowly make my way over to him, until I am standing in front of him.

He’s still gazing beyond me out the window, not speaking a word. Then his purple gaze shifts slightly. He reaches up, his hand grasping mine. A light tingle spreads over my flesh, but it’s not that cold tingle that I get before he takes from me. It’s warm. Pleasant. And as each second passes, it reaches my whole body.

He runs his thumb lightly over my knuckles, still not saying anything. Which is new for Remus. He always has something to say, whether it’s a threat or even a snide remark. But right now, he’s completely silent. My eyes fall to his body as he sits down. He’s not wearing a shirt. And that usually pulsating symbol has strangely slowed down its rhythm.

Remus’ purple gaze finally lifts up to me, and he stands. He’s still gazing down at me, with a completely blank expression, the only indication I have of his emotions is the brightness of his eyes. He seems to be searching for something as his eyes shift across my face.

His hand lets go of mine, and he rubs his hands over my arms before pulling me into his body. My eyes widen in complete and utter shock. He’s hugging me. Remus is hugging me. He’s crushing me to his body, and I can feel the warmth of his skin as it slowly seeps into mine. He’s so warm. Almost too warm.

I don’t know what to do, or how to react, so I just stand there and let him hug me. And he does. Without a word or an explanation, he just.. hugs me.

* * * * *

“That’s out of character for our overlord.” Jude is staring at me in confusion. Remus has barely spoken to me in a week. If anything, he hasn’t spoken to me at all. The only time he ever says anything is when he’s calling my name. We don’t even sleep in the same room anymore, nor has he touched me sexually. It makes me wonder if he actually feels regret about what he did.

Jude and Zaya showed up today, and Remus once again left us alone as he and Zaya went to discuss whatever it is they usually do. So after Jude and i spoke to each other, I ended up telling him about what went down between me and Remus and how he hugged me. And Jude is as confused as me.

Jude is once again chained up, his arms included. And now he sports a fresh scar on the side of his face. It starts at his temple and ends at the bottom of his chin. He notices the direction of my gaze, and gives me a soft smile, revealing his dimple.

“It doesn’t hurt," he says softly. I blink, moving my gaze back to him and away from the scar.

“I’m sorry,” I say. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have that on his face.

“You have nothing to apologize for. It would have happened sooner or later. Zaya is a sadist. She loves it when I’m in pain. It was just a matter of finding a reason to place a new one on me," he says jokingly.

“How can you be so light-hearted about that?” I ask softly. He shrugs.

“What other way is there to be?” he asks. Now it’s my turn to shrug.

“Remus doesn’t need a reason to hurt me, but for some reason, he doesn’t like scars on my skin. He only likes putting them there. But he always heals me immediately after," I mumble. Jude laughs.

“Zaya loves bruising. She like the proof of her work.” I sense the underlying bitterness in his tone as he speaks of her.

“But I couldn’t imagine being the slave of Remus,” Jude adds. I look up at him in confusion.

“Before you, Remus never ever had a pet. Not from any of the worlds. And the only reason he took any of us, humans, in would be to kill us. Or torture.” Jude gets this haunted look on his face.

“If only you knew some of the things that he has done," he adds. I can only imagine.

“Do you remember when they first arrived?” I ask. Jude looks surprised by my question.

“Yeah.”

“What exactly happened that day?” Jude gets this distant look on his face but tells me anyway.

“Uh... I was at the library with my little sister. I was only 12 at the time.. and we were a part of the summer reading program," he smiles as if remembering.

“One second we were trying to decide between Charlotte's web and Gone with the wind, and then next, the library is crumbling around us. People are screaming and running. It was scary. But I took my sister, and we ran too. The world around us was slowly becoming a blood bath. They were everywhere, with weapons no one had ever seen before. The city we grew up in was being destroyed. They took out whole skyscrapers, and killed on sight.”

“I don’t know how my sister and I got away unscathed, but we did. Shortly after, their overlord appeared everywhere. Telling us to surrender, or else. And instead of our countries banning together for the greater good, they shut off borders. They retreated within themselves. They blamed each other. And one even had the nerve to fire a nuclear bomb, at the location that Remus was at.” He gives a bitter laugh.

“The location had millions of civilians. Innocent people. But they didn’t care. And you know what? That bomb never reached. It just... disappeared,” he says eerily. My mind travels back to Remus’ words.

Could it be possible that they made it disappear? Jude continues speaking which pulls me out of my thoughts.

“We tried everything. Everything we could to injure them, but none of it worked. None of it. Our efforts were laughable. Missiles, bullets, bombs, chemicals. None of it worked. So we pulled away. And over time, the resistance was formed. And for once, we have a fighting chance," he says.

“How do you know?” I ask. Now, excitement appears behind his gaze.

“Well. Zaya took me with her once, when she went to conduct business. And I ran into some of the people from the resistance that recognized me. They were hiding in the city undercover. I meet with them once a week, giving them all the information that I can. Zaya’s problem is that she doesn’t believe that I would do anything so bold as to defy her. Which has really helped. and the fact that she’s a general. So I see key weak points in her paperwork.” I stare at Jude in fascination.

“So you can read their language?” I ask. He nods his head.

“Barely. It’s taken me long hours of studying, and I still barely know it. It’s such a complex language,” he complains. But I can’t help but be impressed that he’s been able to do all this.

“Does Zaya suspect?” I ask. He shakes his head.

“If she did, I would be dead," he says simply. Which makes me remember the last time he was here.

“What is it you were trying to ask me the last time..?” I ask.

“We need your help,” he says simply.

“The information we’ve gotten has helped us with the Leviathan race as a whole, but we still know nothing of their leader. It’s obvious he’s completely different from them, and we have no idea why.” I narrow my eyes as I realize where this is going.

“You’re the first pet Remus has ever taken, and you’re the only person that can get close to him. When I saw you at that party risk yourself knowing the consequences, I just knew that you were perfect for the job. You hate them just as much as we do. But I had no idea how I could possibly get to you. And then, Zaya brought me here. I just knew it was fate. You are the answer to so many people's prayers, Iris.” He takes a deep breath.

“We need you to spy on Remus for us. Help us find his weakness. What will defeat him for good.” My heart stops as actual fear rushes through my veins.

“Are you crazy?!” I shout. Jude looks behind me, in fear, and back to me.

“Shhhh!” he hisses. I’m sure he wants to place his hands over my mouth but can’t due to the fact that he’s chained up.

“I know that I’m asking a lot from you, Iris. But I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t think you weren’t capable.” I sit back mulling over his words. He’s right. I am the only person close enough. And Remus is the key to the Leviathan race. There is an actual fighting chance thanks to Jude, and I am what stands between the human race and victory. I let out a deep sigh.

“If I do this, you have to promise me something, Jude,” I say. I finally look up, and Jude blinks in shock at me. I’m crying. I won’t lie. I’m scared. Actually scared is an understatement. I’m terrified. And I know that if I get caught doing this, Remus will kill me. And it won’t be a merciful death either. He will make me suffer.

“If you find a way to escape, you have to promise to take me with you,” I say. Jude’s eyes widen as I speak.

“I won’t lie to you. I’m scared. But for the sake of my people, I will do it. So that they can be free. But I don’t want to die at the hands of that monster. I want to fight alongside my people, and I want to enjoy that freedom once we win.”

“If I get caught, Jude. Remus will mutilate my body, and do everything he can to make sure that I stay alive through it all. He won’t take this betrayal lightly. And I know people want me to be brave, but I’m not. And I don’t want to die that way. So if you find a way to escape, once we have all the information that we need, you have to promise to take me. You can’t leave me behind," I say.

He gives me a knowing smile, his dimple appearing.

“I promise you, Iris. I won’t leave you behind. We’ll both find a way out of this. I swear.” I smile back.

“Thank you.”

I then launch into everything that I know about the Leviathan, and about Remus. Everything that he has told me up to this point, including his origin. Jude watches me quietly listening the whole time, and at some moments he looks almost as if he can’t believe what it is I’m telling him. When I finish, he stares at the ground for a minute before finally speaking. He lets out a soft laugh.

“We’re in over our heads aren’t we,” he says. I can’t help but laugh with him.

“Yeah,” I say.

“But we’ll find a way, Jude. We will," I say trying to reassure him. He’s quiet.

The day passes, and Jude and I speak of everything from plans to comparing our masters. Eventually, Zaya and Remus emerge from the room, and Zaya takes her leave with Jude behind her.

I can’t help but feel pity for him. But at the same time, I admire him.

“Iris, you have been staring at the door for a while now,” Remus speaks behind me. I slowly turn to face him and he’s staring at me.

“He won’t be coming back,” he says. He turns away from me, walking up the hallway. I try and make myself not nervous, but now that I would be fishing for information around him, I get nervous.

I find Remus in his room, getting dressed. I take note that he’s in all white, which means that wherever he’s going there will be his people. I slowly make my way into the room, and Remus is going about his way, not even acknowledging me.

“Where are you going?” I ask. Now he finally stops and looks at me.

“A new waste has been discovered. I’m going to eradicate it," he says simply.

“Eradicate?” I ask. I don’t even know what that word means, but in Remus’ case, it can’t be good. He smiles to himself.

“Sometimes I forget you lack the proper education-”

“Well if your people hadn’t destroyed the world before I could make it through the educational system, I may have been a little smarter,” I growl. Remus looks at me so quickly, I flinch. There is a small frown on his lips. He walks to me until he is towering over my form.

“I never said you weren’t smart, Iris," he says. I blush furiously, looking away.

“Why do you fight for your people," he says out of nowhere. I look at him in confusion.

“Someone has to,” I say.

“That is true, but the people that should did and failed. Do you really think that your attempts will save anyone?”

“It doesn’t have to. So long as they have hope,” I say. Remus laughs.

“That is a nice slogan, Iris. You never cease to amuse me," he says. He walks past me, and out of the room, and I follow him. He’s heading to the front door.

“Wait, you’re leaving me here alone?” I ask. He shrugs.

“I think that you’ve learned your lesson on rebellion, so yes," he says simply.

“Or do I need to break your legs until I return?” I shudder at the mention of breaking my legs. I will never forget that pain.

“No,” I mumble. He smiles in amusement.

“I will see you when I return.” He steps out of the door, leaving me all alone in this place.

A festival. For some reason, I didn’t think that the Leviathan had them, but apparently, they do. People have been in and out all day, getting Remus and me prepared for this festival. Remus explained it to me. It’s apparently the day his mother decided to release him and his siblings into the Leviathan world, saving them from perishing, and introducing them to a world of conquering and their empire.

Remus doesn’t seem excited about it though. If anything, he looks upset. Which is saying a lot because I can rarely read his emotions. But he’s been absolutely quiet today.

The servants have dressed me in a beautiful white gown with a top that is all white and has Remus’ symbol on his chest on it. The bottom is a long trail that is lightly transparent as well. My hair has been pinned up in an intricate hairstyle. I haven’t seen Remus all morning though. But judging from the scurrying of the servants, he’s in a bad mood in one of the back rooms.

I walk to the glass wall looking out at the city below. I can see the thousands of Leviathin scattering the streets, and decorations everywhere. It’s amazing seeing them come together for their ruler. They look genuinely happy and excited about celebrating and seeing him. I guess since Remus only ever shows his face at high-class parties.

I’m just about to place my fingers against the glass when Remus’ voice comes out of the silence.

“Step away from the glass Iris.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from growling out loud and turn around.

Remus is dressed in his all-white once again and has a high collared shirt with a cape around it. Around his head is some kind of silver head-band-looking thing, and his hair isn’t in its usual ponytail, but out flowing in long waves around him. I stare at him in awe. If he weren’t so evil, I may have been one of those crazy fangirls that were obsessed if he had come to our planet in peace, but he didn’t, and he isn’t.

He slowly walks towards me, reaching for my hand. He takes a hold of it, and I tense when I see what he is putting on me. That same bracelet that he kept on me the night of that ball. I feel it latching onto my skin once it’s around my wrist. Remus's deep purple gaze travels up to my face.

“I think we are beyond threats, Iris. You have such a strong will to protect those around you. And if I continue to test you, you may very well get yourself killed. I hate defiance. I will stop you if you try anything today," he says.

“Why do you keep bringing me to these events. Why if you know that I will be disobedient,” I ask. He seems to be thinking about it.

“Actually, I don’t think that you will be disobedient. I think, that you are broken and well behaved. But you prove me wrong each time.” He steps closer to me, wrapping his hand around my throat lightly.

“And if you disobey me, you will not like the consequences, Iris. I am not playing games with you. I will break you, and I will prolong the pain. I will not heal you. You will have to heal yourself. And if your body cannot do that, then I will let death take you," he says. He sounds so serious. It’s hard to imagine that he actually willingly gave me a hug last week.

I watch Remus from my perch. That’s right. I’m isolated, on top of some high mountain-like structure. Remus said that there would be no kneeling for me today. And I can see why. It would dirty the dress. Instead of kneeling, there is a chain around my throat that is bolted to the ground. There are also open spaces slightly below me. Each gets lower and lower and have different markings on them.

Remus is walking among his people, and all of them are screaming and crying out for him. They are so happy and excited about being in the same presence as him. He looks like his usual, regal self. High and mighty, and in control. He would look so much less sinister if he would smile every once in a while. But he never does.

He stands on a platform that raises him to the top where he sits on his throne. The people still scream out in awe. I take note that there are 2 seats next to him, and on a row below him there are six more.

“Great view huh?” I jump as Jude’s voice pulls me out of my wonderings. I look next to me, and he is dressed in all black and red. I gaze in confusion at him.

“What are you doing here?” I ask. He laughs lightly.

“It’s good to see you too," he says.

“I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant I mean, why are you here.. with me?” He turns his gaze back to the festival below.

“It’s the order of things," he says. I stare at him a little longer trying to figure out what he means. He finally explains.

“So, the festival is pretty much a week-long celebration of the arrival of the gods. Remus, Ezra, and Xion.”

“Xion?” I repeat in confusion.

“The sister.” he says. I sense the bitter undertone.

“She’s as ruthless as Remus.” I look at him, but he speaks quickly.

“Keep your gaze straight. They’ll see that we’re talking," he says. I quickly turn my head back to the festival as more and more Leviathan file in. Including Zaya who takes a seat in the row below Remus.

“Nobility is a big deal in the Leviathan society. And for some reason, Remus and his siblings are regarded as gods among his people. Well, since you told me the point of his origin I can now see why,” he jokes.

“The generals of the army are all hand-chosen by Remus. Which explains their ranking in this society. And is why they sit a row below Remus and his siblings.”

My eyes widen.

“So Remus’ siblings are all going to be here?” I ask. I had already seen his brother, but it’s his sister that I want to see.

“No. Xion is back in Leviathar. She was a part of the Leviathan military, but she found someone and decided against continuing. So she rules Leviathar under her brother's order of course with her mate.” He says simply. That’s crazy to think that someone that is just as ruthless as Remus can find love and choose not to continue conquering the world with him just to be with that person.

“As for Ezra, well he’s disappeared,” Jude says.

“What do you mean?” I ask. The seats below us are being filled, and as each seat is filled, another slave appears next to Jude, and so on.

“Well, his brother leads the entire armada that is the Leviathan empire. He was sent on some kind of mission and hasn’t been heard from since. At least that’s what Zaya’s paperwork says.” I look down at Remus, and he’s watching the procession with a blank expression. But he’s standing tall and proud.

“This is the first year in a long time the three of them won’t be together,” Jude says. That explains his mood. When Ezra was visiting, Remus seemed very protective of his brother. And now he’s off somewhere possibly in danger, and his sister has chosen not to conquer any more worlds with him. He’s probably lonely without his family. I almost laugh at the thought. The thought of Remus being saddened by anything. He’s just so ruthless and cruel all the time, it’s a foreign thought that he could possibly be upset that his siblings wouldn’t be here to celebrate with him. But could it be possible?

I watch as the rest of the generals take their seats. Then I realize something.

“Zaya is-”

“The only female. Yes.” Jude finishes for me. She must be absolutely terrifying to be the only female general that was hand-picked by Remus himself. And poor Jude is completely at her mercy.

All of the generals have made their way onto the platform, and are seated. Remus holds his hand up, silencing the crowd. He opens his mouth and begins to speak. Just like he does with every other speech, his words send a wave of excitement through the crowd. Even his body language shows excitement. I see generals hold their hands up in agreement, and the people continue to scream for their leader.

Remus finishes his speech and holds both of his hands up in the air, and the crowd erupts in a loud roar. Even the generals stand and show their appreciation. Jude laughs next to me.

“Do you know what he said?” I ask.

“No. I can only read their language," he says.

“You said the celebration lasts for a week?” I say.

“Yeah.”

I open my mouth to say something else but immediately shut it as an icy cold wave of fear washes over me. As I look to Remus, he’s not watching his people anymore. He’s watching me. And he doesn’t look happy.

The festival lasts the whole day. And I do mean the whole day. We switch settings, from outside to different buildings to some outdoor places. There are performances, speeches, dedications and gifts. Remus and I don’t see each other once. Not once. He makes sure that I’m in the same venue as him but other than that he doesn’t speak to me at all. After the opening ceremony though, I don’t see Jude again.

They carry us pets around as if we’re decoration. At one point, there was a ballroom and we were each atop a column. Instead of me being next to Jude like at the opening ceremony, he’s across from me and far far away. Judging from Remus’ look, I’m willing to bet he had something to do with that.

When Remus finally retires to his city home, I don’t go with him. Instead, I’m brought with the other pets to some kind of show. They place us all on the stage and judging from the audience and tone of the announcer, I’m guessing they introduce us. And of course, I was last.

The people stared at me in complete shock. On either side of the stage are massive screens with Remus’ face on them, so I know that this is some kind of show where they show off the general's pets as well as the leaders. It makes my blood boil. If only they knew that soon their empire will fall.

I’m taken back to the room by a servant with an inhibitor on, and by the time I reach the door my feet are killing me, and my body is aching. I step into the house half expecting more people to be here, but to my complete and utter shock, it’s empty. I walk past the entry area and round the corner, following the soft melody playing overhead. It’s soothing. Beautiful.

I step around the corner to find Remus standing there in the center of the room. I pause in the doorway, not knowing what to do. He’s wearing nothing but white pants, and no shirt. So I can see the exciting rhythm of that silver tattoo as it pulsates with life. He’s in a better mood. He holds his hand out to me.

“Take off your shoes.” He says simply. I slowly bend over, pulling off the silver jewels that are shoes. I slowly make my towards him, and his deep purple eyes follow me. I place my hand in his, and he closes it around mine pulling me in close to him. He wraps his arm around my waist, hoisting me up so that my feet are on top of his. And he moves to the music playing overhead.

He’s quiet for a little while, and I don’t know what to do so I keep my gaze trained on his chest.

“What did you think of the festival.” I look up and his gaze is boring into mine.

“It was...long,” I say. Remus cracks a smile. It’s just a small grin, but it’s a smile no less. He’s actually amused at what I said.

“It was just opening ceremonies. The rest of the week won’t be so bad," he says. I look away. Is he trying to hold a normal conversation with me?

“You seem to like Zaya’s pet.” Ah. There it is.

“He is the only person I’ve been able to talk to that still has a mind of their own,” I say. Remus’ hand tightens around mine, and I have to stop myself from flinching.

“Don’t get too attached, Iris,” he warns.

“I’m not,” I say. I take a stab at my thoughts that have been with me all day.

“I just get lonely.. not having anyone to talk to,” I say opening the door for him to say something about his siblings. But he doesn’t he’s just quiet.

Remus spins us so gracefully around the room, it’s hard to imagine him as the murderous monster that he is.

“You looked stunning today, he says out of nowhere. I’m so caught off guard by his compliment, I look up. And he’s gazing down at me. His face is so close to mine, I can see the blue flecks that are in his purple eyes. It’s so pretty.

“Thank you,” I mumble.

The song overhead ends, and Remus stops moving. He takes my hand holding it out in front of him and spins me around.

“My siblings usually celebrate this day with me. For our people, it is the day that they were saved, but for us, it is the day of our freedom.” He smiles as if remembering something.

“Xion couldn’t wait to get out and away from our mother's world. Ezra was reluctant to leave. Each of them looked to me for guidance. Now xion doesn’t want to leave Leviathar, and Ezra thinks he has to prove himself by taking down...” He trails off. I want to urge him to continue, but when it comes to Remus opening up, me saying something is not a good idea.

All of a sudden, Remus’ whole demeanor changes. He gets tense and angry. And his face closes off to that blank expression that I’ve come accustomed to. He steps away from me, letting go of my hand and turning his back on me.

“Come. I’m tired," he growls over his shoulder. I reluctantly follow.