Time slowed to a stop as the pair of them retreated from the Sycamore tree. Perri wondered if it would be easier to let herself fall. If only so she could end it on her terms. But something stopped her. Cowardice? Fear? Maybe all of the above.
With each passing moment, her heartbeat grew louder, threatening to explode from her chest entirely. “It will be fine,” Benja whispered, his clammy hands held onto hers despite his ill footing. A lie. When they reached the lowest branch they had no choice but to jump, lest they show their backs. Perri and Benja fell with a thud to the soft earth.
“Don’t bother getting up,” one of the taller Iurers hissed, his words threatened to cut her in two. Perri didn’t need to look to know he had claws. Attempting some semblance of dignity, Perri got to her knees. Her golden eyes looked up for a fleeting moment as she read their faces for any hint of intention. Only amusement sparkled back at her. They kicked her down again, face in the dirt.
Perhaps they only wanted to play? If they could make the Iurers know that they were not a threat, then maybe they could live to see another day…
“Please,” Perri cried, she made a show of kicking up her legs until one of the officers took a foot to her rib. She winced, refusing to let them hear her cries of pain.
“We are good kids. Tomorrow is Placement and we want to contribute to society.” Benja’s voice was surprisingly calm. She envied how he could keep his emotions in check.
The Iurers shook with laughter, but it was better than anger. Did he sense it too? That this was all a game?
“Contribute to society?” One of the stockier ones said through her laughter. “Are you hearing this?” She made a vulgar gesture. “As if one of yous could be anything but dirt.” The officer spit, this time she brought a yellow boot to Benja’s middle and he recoiled in pain.
“We’re sorry! So very sorry for this inconvenience.”
From the corner of her eye, Perri could see the Iurer readying himself for another beating. But the tallest one shook his head and stillness spread.
“We all know that’s not true,” the voice of the tallest Iurer was higher than expected, a shrill voice for anyone destined to lead. But he had that kind of face, distinguished but worn by time. Coarse brown hair peeked out of the edges of his helmet and a pointed nose clouded his otherwise sinister features. Perri heard the crunch of dead leaves as he got closer and her blood thickened. The Iurer lowered himself beside her, his hand whipping through her hair as he found the soft skin at the nape of her neck. “You’ve been marked.” He fingered her scar as the other Iurers whistled, hungry.
“Only once. I learned my lesson.” Perri fell silent again, forcing the memory of that day away. He slithered like a snake circling its prey.
“An inquisitive Five, so rare.” The Iurer reached into his boot and unsheathed a small silver dagger. “Perhaps today is the day you want to make it Two.”
“No, thank you. One’s an honorable number.” Perri hissed back. She could see Benja’s lips pursed to make a sound and shook her head furiously. She wouldn’t let him make it worse. If they wanted to play, she would play.
The Iurer pricked his finger with the tip of the blade. Perri watched, disgusted, as the tiniest drop of blood fell to the ground. “What a shame,” the Iurer muttered as he took his finger to his lips. “Universal knowledge is in your grasp. Ask and you shall find.” He trailed the blade down her spine.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Tempting,” Perri whispered. Under the moonlight, she could see the glowing smirks of the other officers. If she needed to be bait, she would. “Although I may need to think about it since this could be my only chance… to learn” The Iurer could sense the scorn in her voice and he motioned for the other Iurers to continue their bidding.
“Leave her face pretty for me,” was all he said as the Iurers descended upon them, using their feet and canes to do their dirty work.
“Wait!” Perri cried out. The blasted tears that she tried so desperately to push away were flowing down her face. Her eyes met Benja’s who was shaking his head furiously.
“I might have a question for you, but only if you let him go.” The tallest Iurer smiled as the other officers smirked amongst themselves. It was her only bargaining chip. Even if another Mark made her less desirable yet again, it was better than being Taken. Anything was better than being Taken.
“How noble,” The Iurer returned to her side, feasting his eyes on the sliver of skin on the nape of her neck.
“I have a question, too!” Benja yelled, mustering the strength to get back up before being kicked down again.
“A first question?” The Iurers chuckled. So close to Placement, a first question could destroy all of his chances. She couldn’t let him do that!
“No, Benja. I am the one you want, I have already been Marked.” She kneeled, this time the Iurers looked on. A curiosity she was. They looked between the pair of them; any hesitation and they might Take them both. Perri had to act fast.
“He’s stupid.” She spat, looking away. It wasn’t often that a Five spoke to them so candidly. “His mind is empty and plain. I am the one you want.” Perri paused, the shadow of a smile on her lips as their bodies leaned closer. “Ever since I was a child, I have had questions. You must wonder what I wonder.”
She dangled herself in their hungry grasp, if they wanted a feast she would give them a damn five-course meal. After a moment the leader nodded to the boy. “Go.” His empty eyes didn’t leave her, captivated. When Benja wouldn’t leave the girl’s side, the Iurer hissed, “Before I change my mind.” But Benja shook his head and Perri refused to meet his gaze. “Do you or don’t you want us to Take you?” The boy hesitated before standing and looking among them awkwardly.
“I’m not going until you promise not to Take her.”
“You may be stupid but you have nerve boy, I’ll give you that.” The Iurers looked among themselves but their leader didn’t bat an eye. “If she asks a question, I’ll let her go this time. We’re feeling generous, it is Festival after all.” Benja cast one last look at Perri before running into the darkness.
“Now you,” The leader grabbed a fist full of brown hair and brought Perri to her feet. She tried not to cower, looking up at their cat-like eyes with equal fervor. If she was allowed one last question, she wasn’t going to waste it. Better make it count.
“What’s beyond the Wall?” She could have sworn she saw the glimmer of a smile on the leader’s face before she was pushed down onto the earth. The Iurers spat at her feet.
“Nothing.” He said simply. “It’s a desolate wasteland with horrors beyond your pretty little imagination.” The leader got closer, rubbing his fingers in her hair. She shuddered and he grinned, wider still, and then in the faintest of a whisper, “What would you do to find out?”
Perri’s mouth dropped as he carved a tiny “?” at the back of her neck. Her head spun but curiosity masked the pain. “Questions make you stupid.”
The rest of the Iurers looked on, hungrily. What a blessing it was to Mark a Five, how much they envied their leader in that moment. Tears streamed down Perri’s face as she felt blood trickle down her back. Any hope for the future washed away. A Five with One Mark was one thing, but Two? She would be lucky to be Placed at all!
The leader grinned, licking his lips at the sight of defeat. “We’re done here,” he hissed at the rest of the Iurers. They took one last look at the shriveled girl and marched to the low-lit street. But the leader crouched behind, a predator taking one last look at his pathetic prey.
In a solid motion, he reached into the pocket of his cape. Perri watched in curious wonder as he took a tiny syringe and emptied its contents into the bony tip of her spine, right beside her new Mark. “Consider it payment for your question. No one shall know, understood?” Perri’s head was spinning as she felt the warmth of the liquid spread to her fingers and toes. She nodded as the lids of her eyes began to fall, reaching to touch the spot before the world faded to black.