VEINS OF DARKNESS series #0.5 -
Prequel TO BOOK 1
Shruti tapped her fingers on the steering wheel earlier that evening, irritated and growing impatient as she waited for her friend to return. She shifted in her seat, the leather squeaking beneath her. The rain poured down in a steady rhythm, the sound almost hypnotic in its consistency. It was dark outside, and the street was practically deserted. Something didn't feel right, but she couldn't quite place it. A strange, uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.
The quiet street gave her no warning, no indication of the danger lurking just beyond her sight. Suddenly, a shadow loomed beside her window. Before she could even scream, the door was yanked open with a violent force. Cold air rushed in, bringing with it the scent of rain and something far more sinister. A large, strong hand clamped down over her mouth, silencing her scream before it could fully form.Her eyes widened in shock as her body tensed, panic flooding her veins. She struggled against the iron grip, but it was no use. The hand that held her was unyielding, and fear took over as she realized she was completely at his mercy.
Adhavan. The name alone sent a jolt of terror through Mumbai. Everyone knew who he was. The middle son of the infamous Raajan family, a name whispered in fear throughout Mumbai's dark corners. His reputation was ruthless, his cruelty legendary. No one crossed him and lived to tell the tale.His face hovered inches from hers, calm but cold, with eyes that burned with a dark, menacing intent. His lips curved into a twisted smile as she struggled beneath him.
"Don't fight it, Shruti," he murmured, his voice harsh.His free hand gripped her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze. "This will be easier for both of us if you cooperate."
Shruti's muffled screams grew louder as she fought against his hold, her legs kicking out, trying to break free. But Adhavan's body blocked her every movement, his strength overwhelming. His fingers dug into her cheeks, the pressure bruising her skin as she writhed in her seat.
"Feisty," he chuckled, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
With a swift, practiced motion, he produced a cloth soaked in a chloroform.Before Shruti could react, he pressed it firmly against her nose and mouth. She struggled harder but eventually darkness claimed her.
When Shruti awoke, everything felt wrong. Cold metal pressed against her bare skin, the sharp bite of the ropes cutting into her wrists and ankles. Her body was splayed out on a hard table, bound tightly in a spread-eagle position. Her eyes fluttered open, and panic surged through her veins as she realized where she was in a godown. The air was damp and cold in the room. Scary atmosphere.
She struggled against the ropes, twisting and pulling, but it was no use. She was trapped, completely at his mercy. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of what had happened, but the haze from the chloroform still clouded her thoughts.
A low chuckle echoed from somewhere in the darkness, sending a chill down her spine. Adhavan appeared his figure large, tall and menacing. He wore a formal shirt that contrasted sharply with the grimy, dilapidated surroundings, but it did nothing to soften the darkness in his gaze. His eyes raked over her body, taking in every detail with a hunger of all the years.