Klaus POVMy body feels sore, my arms, legs and neck are heavy, and my skin feels like it's burning. I blink with difficulty, feeling my eyelids squeeze together, making it hard to open my eyes and focus on my vision.When I manage to do so, I realize that I'm lying on the floor, wearing the same clothes as when I arrived, apart from the items made from soul stones. On my wrists, there are loose handcuffs, but I can see the hole to put the chain through, and I know that they are made of silver with soul stones.It's a set Soren has just for restraining high-powered Lycans, it's what we used to restrain my father before I took his place. If I'm trapped, does that mean Soren has been corrupted?I raise my head and realize that I'm in a small room, the floor is made of plastered cement and the edges hurt my skin. I look up and see that cameras are filming me, and the temperature is lower than normal."Shit!" I said, feeling my throat rasp as my mouth was dry.

Ayla POVIt's been almost 24 hours since Klaus was placed in the new room. I've carried on my day as normal, training and learning more about the society around the Vampire Court. The only difference is that I've simply stopped talking to Victor, I slept in Soren's room and haven't even been near Victor's room, even though I miss it because Soren's scent is much stronger in the other room. Besides, almost all my memories with Soren were in that room.Of course, Victor tried to talk to me, but I just ignored him and anything I needed I asked Skyler or Sebastian. The two of them are now by my side, Skyler is holding a black mask embedded with illusion magic, while Sebastian holds the silver chains.I nodded briefly and Skyler opened the door that gave access to the room where Klaus was, the smell of urine and feces was intense, and I was careful not to step in the piss that was very close to the door."What an ugly thing..." I said condescendingly. "I should make

Ayla POVAs soon as everyone was seated at the table, I began to explain my plan. At least for this dinner."I'll soon ask Sebastian to pick up Klaus and bring him some dinner... It's a relatively simple red meat soup, some pieces of which will taste like chicken and others like pork." I said calmly.Victor looked at me surprised; I'd used this technique before. He knows what it can do to someone's mind."Human meat can taste like chicken or pork, depending on your palate..." I continued.The expression on everyone's face was one of astonishment."No, I've never eaten human flesh... But there are lots of books in the library about it. I had a lot of time to read in the beginning, and I read a lot because it was my way of beginning to understand the rest of the world." I explained.I can see and feel everyone's relief."I don't just want to humiliate Klaus, I'm going to destroy him," I spoke with determination.It's the first time I've s

Ayla POV I look at the box on the bed, I know that what's inside is going to completely change how things are going to be from now on. It's something that will make Klaus give up in one fell swoop, but at the same time, I wonder if I want to go to that level.If I've learned in all these years, it's that physical torture doesn't always work, and that psychological torture is much more effective. These last few days, from the first moment I had the idea to use the soup and started paying attention to the people around me and what the justice system is like, most punishments have more to do with the mental than the physical.I put my hand to my heart because my biggest worry is what Soren will think of me if I go ahead with this plan. Even though I've given him a few hints about what's going to happen an

Victor POV I heard the calls in my mind. What Ayla had done was completely shocking. I know she had asked Augustus for some specific things, but I never thought he would agree to something like that.“Why didn’t you try to convince her otherwise?” I asked exasperatedly.“Ayla needs to find out who she is… It’s the first time she’s dealing with power…” Augustus replied calmly. “What kind of Queen or Empress will she be?”"FUCK!" I shouted angrily. “This is no joke! Do you know how many people are asking me to handle this?”“If Ayla doesn’t realize how much this is affecting her image… There’s no point in me, o