I'd heard legend of the terrifying creatures that stalked the forest surrounding my village since I was young. Creatures that captured people that were never seen or heard from again. The legends painted them as horrifying, gruesome, twisted beings who took what they wanted and tortured their poor victims for the sheer thrill of it. Masochistic, selfish things. They were known as the Shadowstalkers, so called because no one had ever caught a glimpse of one and lived to tell the tale.
Until now.
I awake to the sound of wind rustling the leaves in the trees above me, immediately confused because the last thing I remember is laying down to sleep in my bed...inside. My eyes fly open to see a canopy of emerald green above me, branches blocking most of the sun shining high in the sky.
I try to turn my neck but find I am unable to. There is something holding it in place. It takes me a moment to register that it isn't just my neck. My arms and legs are bound too. My arms spread above me, and my legs spread wide and tied below. Even my knees have been tied to the edge of whatever I'm laying on, rendering me completely immobile.
Panic begins to set in, but I can't scream. I'm gagged. It feels as though there is a large ball stuffed into my mouth, tied in place. I can't breathe properly with this thing in the way.
I'm also freezing cold. It's then that I notice I am completely naked. The chill wind biting at my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake, is fierce and unfiltered due to the lack of sunlight.
Who would do this to me? Leave me here terrified and cold? Have I been left here to die?
"You have not been brought here to die." The voice comes from behind me, causing me to jump. I hear the soft crunching of leaves as the person moves, making sure they stay out of sight. Dread spears through me. How could I not have realised? The Shadowstalkers have me. It's been years since a villager has been taken by them. So long I had almost forgotten the danger lurking so close to home.
I try to scream against my gag to no avail. The resulting chuckle from my captor sends a wave of rage through me. Disgusting creature, feeding off of my terror.
"It's been so long since I have had one of your kind to enjoy," the voice said, "that I had forgotten the vile things you think of my kind."
The voice is smooth like velvet, nothing like what I have always been told. It's like a lullaby, soothing my fear. Tricking me into calm. I will not fall for it. I twist against my binds, defiant and intent on keeping my rage.
"Interesting," the voice says with a hint of intrigue. "You are not so easily swayed by my power. This will be fun."
It's then that the creature walks to the side of me so that I can see...him. The most exquisite creature I have ever seen. Rich, deep brown eyes, hair black as obsidian with a slight wave. And those lips. Full and pink, lifting into a smirk on one side as I realise he can hear my thoughts.
"You have been taught wrongly about my kind, Lenara." The surprise slipped into my eyes before I could stop it. "I know your name, yes. Not because I have seen it in your mind, but because I have been watching you."
Watching me and waiting to grab me and steal me away. I never stood a chance at being one of the lucky ones.
"You're luckier than you believe."
My chest heaves as my fear takes over again. He watches my breasts rise and fall with each exaggerated breath. My nipples peaked and stiff from the cold. His eyes meet mine again and he says, "I regret having to take you in this way, but you will understand eventually."
I writhe as he brings his hand toward my left nipple and pinches it ever so softly. A moan slips around the gag at the sensation. I have been touched by a man before, I am no virgin. But it's been a while. I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment at the sound, but the man only chuckles again as he removes his hand.