"Callista!" I yelped and scrambled to my feet, but I didn't dare go to her. Not when I was the only buffer between it and the little ones. Not when it could snap Callista's neck if I made one wrong move. "Give me my sister." I snarled and glared at the monster.

"I don't think so, she owes me something very precious," it grinned and Callista let out a low whimper as it's grip tightened on her arm.

"Callista?" I turned to her, I'd pay off anything it wanted from us. I'd do anything to keep my sisters safe.

"I-in the market I chased Elise across the street, but-but a carriage was coming too fast. And h-he-"

"I pulled your stupid sister out of harm's way," it cut in smoothly, it's eyes never leaving my face, my body. "And do you know what that means?"

"Please don't do this," I begged him and felt the little ones trembling in fear behind me. They knew better than to cry or scream.

"She owes me a life debt," it answered and it was as if my world had shattered. There were loopholes, though. Maybe if I could exploit one.

"Please, please don't take my sister," I fell to my knees before it, because humans were scum to his kind, and this is where we belonged, apparently. "She's only thirteen seasons."

"I'm owed my part, mortal, and I will have it," it replied with a sick smile on its face. The monster enjoyed this. I felt my eyes burn.

"Please, I'll give you anything," I promised, even as bile rose in my throat. I would give everything for Callista, for Juno, for Elise.

"So you wouldn't say no this time? Let those little preferences of yours get in my way?" It rumbled and I felt my stomach drop. My sisters didn't know.

"Kellen? What is he talking about?" Callista ventured and now it was their turn to stare at me.

"We've met before," was all I would say, the monster shrugged and stared down at me.

"That's all? But we had so much fun," it purred and my stomach twisted for two reasons.

"Take me instead, I'm begging you," I stared right back into its eyes and prayed that it would agree. I wouldn't let Callista go. I wouldn't let it take her.

"Tempting," was all it said, and I tensed as it took a step forward, dragging Callista along.

"I-I'll do anything," and this time, I really meant it. I would do whatever it asked for my sister. The monster caught on and ran a finger down my face. I clenched my jaw tightly.

"I don't have much use for a little girl anyway," it drawled and released Callista. She stumbled away and immediately went to Juno and Elise. "But you?" It continued and grasped my chin between its fingers. "I could have lots of fun with you."

"Thank you," I breathed and tried to swallow down the terror inside me. It jerked me to my feet and I fell forward, before steadying myself.

"Well, this was fascinating, but we'll be going now," it sighed and began dragging me away by the arm, just as it had done to Callista. I caught one last glimpse of my sisters, terror-stricken and froze in place. Elise and Juno were already crying and I could see the guilt on Callista's face.

Don't blame yourself, Callista. Please.

I opened my mouth, but the world began to tilt beneath me and stars danced in my vision.

I squeezed my eyes shut and when I opened them, the forest was gone. In place were tile floors and artificial lights. I gagged and fell to my knees, pain rocketed through them when they connected with the hard ground.

The monster still had me by the arm and it ripped me off the floor with more force than necessary. I panted and kept my gaze aimed at my feet.

I only looked up again when it began to drag me forward again. My surroundings were completely unfamiliar. White walls, tile floors, a ceramic tub.

It released me and I fell against a wall. The monster stared me down for a moment.

"Strip," it commanded and a cold terror settled in my abdomen. I hesitated for too long. "Now. Unless you'd like me to do it."

"Please, you don't want to-"

"Kellen, do as I say, or the results won't be pleasant for you," I couldn't deny the ripple of excitement that went through me when it used my name.

I kept my head down, not bearing to look at it, as I pulled my shirt off. The rest of my clothes followed until they were just a pile of rags at my feet.

I covered my privates with my hands and felt my face burn with humiliation. At least my back was to the wall, it couldn't see the scars. Not that I would care, but I didn't feel like explaining.

"Good boy," it purred and surveyed my body before leaving me alone. My shoulders slumped in relief and I finally looked up to scan my surroundings.

It was a bathing room.

I blinked in surprise. The monster had plumbing, a luxury that was saved for only the king. And... it, I suppose.

Then the door opened again and four women walked in. I blinked as they completely ignored me and began placing things on the counter and preparing a bath.

Oh. It was for me.

Despite the circumstances and my overwhelming fear, I didn't hesitate when they ushered me into the bath.

I tensed as the heat swallowed my body and stung my skin. My head stayed down as the women began to wash me. Everything about this was humiliating. When one of them began to wipe the dirt off my back she let out a muffled noise of horror.

I winced, knowing that she had seen my scars. My head lowered further as she continued much more carefully than before as if she scrubbed too hard the wounds would reopen.

The only other sounds were that of the splashing water. They scrubbed me down over and over again until my skin was raw. I didn't complain when they used rose scented soap on my body, even if it was another blow to my pride.

I felt my muscles begin to relax as they began the long task of washing and brushing my hair. Which took a very long time, but none of them complained, or said a word.

The worst part was when they dried me off and then dressed me as if I were incapable of doing it myself. But I had to admit, the clothes were soft and more comfortable than anything I'd worn before.

The white over shirt billowed around my skinny torso and the sloping neck allowed air to get in and out. And the brown trousers were long and warm. Bedclothes. I hadn't worn any real ones in years, just sleeping in the rags I wore through the day.

When the women were through with that, they sat me down and began working on my nails. They trimmed and filed and cleaned until I barely recognized my own hands. Even the rough skin around the edges of my nails was soft as the day I was born.

Never in my life had I felt so feminine. So luxurious and soft. But I knew why it had done this and the thought made me very nervous.

After the women were finished, I was an entirely different person. It was amazing what a bath could do, even if I was still little more than skin and bones, it was a significant difference. The women ushered me out and began to lead me somewhere else.

I saw servants bustling around and I wondered how wealthy this monster could actually be.

We reached a simple looking door and the women pushed me inside and shut the door. I blinked as my eyes landed on it.

The monster's body was draped across the mattress of a four poster bed, too large for one person, feet hanging off. It barely moved when I was pushed in, but it seemed relaxed. I pressed my back against the door and waited.

It sat up after a few moments and leaned back on its palms. I fidgeted as the monster's gaze raked up and down my body.

"You do clean up nicely," it remarked with a lazy grin, "go sit at the vanity."

I cast another glance at it. The shirt it wore was unbuttoned most of the way down to reveal its chest. And its pants were rolled up to the knees. I tore my gaze away and did as instructed, my heart beat in my throat.

It strolled over and placed its hands on the back of the chair, looking down at me.

"How was your bath?" It licked its lips and I felt a blush creep up my neck.

"Fine," I mumbled and folded my hands in my lap, tensing when I felt its cold fingers glide through my damp hair. We both remained silent as it picked up a pair of scissors from the vanity. "What are you doing?" I blurted before I could stop myself. It took a lock of my hair and snipped it off.

"Cutting your hair."

I bit down on my lip. I shouldn't be making conversation with a monster. But I was curious.

"Why?" I muttered and twisted my fingers together.

"Because it has to be exactly how I want it, and you know why Kellen?" it mused and I felt its hot breath over my ear. My muscles tensed in anticipation. "Because you're mine now, and I get to do whatever I want with you whenever I want to. And I'll make sure to use that to it's full extent," It hissed in my ear and I almost sobbed in terror as it ran its smooth tongue over my earlobe.

I wasn't in control any longer, because I was no longer my own person.

The monster owned me, and until it grew bored, it would have me completely under its thumb.

I was so very ashamed to admit that it excited me.