Trynneia’s bonds bit into her flesh, the rough hemp an unforgiving restraint. Ditan glared at everyone and everything, his blood-soaked clothing the only remnant of the injuries she had healed. Fifteen people surrounded them, a rough guess based on their passage in and out of the treeline as they rotated their guard. She hoped she counted correctly.

Sentinels, every single one, she thought, noting their clothes. They had set to dismembering what remained of Chet and Frant, secreting their bodies she knew not where. Trynneia had been spared at least from that memory, though the blow that had knocked her unconscious still throbbed at her temple. Ditan hadn’t been so lucky.

“What do you think they’re waiting on?” he whispered. She was glad he remained near her but knew their captors did not mean to be charitable.

“I don’t know,” she admitted. Trynneia had lost track of Eilic. She couldn’t see the sadistic Sentinel and his mother, though he could have gone anywhere. Blood trickled around her wrists where they bound her hands to her feet. Rocks dug into her hip, uncomfortable in their positioning. Thrown to the ground, the two of them seemed forgotten by the Vigil. “I’m not even sure why we’re alive.”

“They’re interested in us, that’s for sure,” Ditan said, scuffling around behind her. She knew they had trussed him much the same. “Thanks, Tryn. For helping.”

She laid her cheek upon the dusty ground, unwilling to waste the energy scanning the area. At least he’s alright. For now. “You’re welcome, Dee. I tried to restore your hand. There wasn’t anything I could do.”

“Thank ya anyway. I think it’s the only thing keeping us alive at this point. Didn’t know you could do that.”

“I didn’t either,” she said. “It felt natural.” Trynneia relaxed, hoping to get some relief from the constricted rope. She failed. “I wanted to hurt them for what they did. But you were nearly dead. I had to help you.”

“We’ll get out of this, won’t we?” The fear in Ditan’s voice underscored their situation. “I get the feeling our odds are low.”

Her head felt foggy despite the pain in her temple, just as it had before in the presence of the Sentinels. It brought no relief but became a welcome distraction to their captivity. Trynneia’s runes pulsed with each breath, very dim but still perceptible. Exhaustion sapped her strength.

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” she knew. “My guess is they’re waiting for the other Sentinels from town. I don’t recognize any of this lot.”

“The Red was the one who tested me in the cell. The crazy one, Eilic, is her son.”

“I gathered as much. Why didn’t they come to town, I wonder?” Trynneia quieted as she heard footsteps approach. She shut her eyes, hoping to look asleep and that Ditan might do the same.

“Look mother, someone’s been shifting in their sleep. I think she’s rested long enough,” Eilic said, his voice still harsh in her ears. His boot crunched into her ribs and rolled her over. Trynneia cried out. Sariam hissed with laughter.

“You leave her alone!” Ditan said with more bravado than she expected.

“Those lips of yours don’t stop, do they gobbo?” She heard a sickening crunch and Ditan moaned. “That’s the problem with goblins, they just keep yapping.”

Eilic tilted her head up, and Trynneia met his leer with a glare. “Let us go,” she said. He smirked and plucked at her bonds.

“All in time, young Trynneia,” he said, leaning close. “Does it hurt?” Eilic’s finger trailed along her ribs. She tried not to breathe even as she recoiled at his touch. Of course it hurts. But that’s the point, isn’t it?

-What point would it be otherwise?-

I don’t know.

“Yes,” she said instead. “Does it make you happy?”

“You catch on quickly. Too bad your mother didn’t.”

“What does that mean?”

Eilic caressed her cheek, turning her face from side to side. “I asked her to please me.” Her restraints kept her from fending him away. “I made her a promise. I’m going to collect on that now.” How does he know her? He kissed her forcefully, his tongue probing at her lips. She pursed them tight. “Ah, but you resist. Rendrys showed far less restraint. You’ll come around.” He grinned evilly.

Her face burned with shame at his attempted violation. No, not attempted. Though unsuccessful, it was a violation. His perversity knows no bounds. Trynneia whimpered as she turned her face to the ground. Eilic grabbed her hair tight and yanked her to a seated position, her arms between her knees, wrists locked to her ankles.

“I’m not a fan of defiance, you see.” He jerked her hard, pulling free a long dagger from his belt. “There are so many things I can do with this. To you.” Eilic dragged it across her forearm, slicing a shallow cut. “What do you think mother?”

“Do what makes you happy,” Sariam rasped. “Light bless you.” Coming from the Red, it sounded sinister to Trynneia.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Light bless me indeed. Thank you, mother,” he said. “And you, Trynneia? What do you think?”

“I think no matter what I say you’ll do what you will,” she observed. There is no answer that will stop him.

-There is one.-

“I’m glad you recognize how powerless you are against me.” Eilic shoved her to the ground. “I know you’re spent, so consider your answer to this next question very, very carefully.”

She craned her neck, struggling to follow him as he walked behind her to where Ditan lay. Her inability to see them frightened her. Eilic simply had no morality. “That depends on the question,” she whispered.

“What would it take for you to love me?” Ditan grunted. She could hear each crunching blow rain down on him. “You see, I asked your mother. Well. I thought about it. At the time she was choking on her own blood after I cut out her tongue. It didn’t seem appropriate to ask. So I give you the opportunity your mother never had. See? I can be charitable.”

Trynneia didn’t want to imagine the image he so evocatively conjured for her. From what little she’d experienced of Eilic, she feared he spoke the truth. “Are you even capable of love?” The words slid from her lips faster than thought. Ditan cried out loudly.

“I told you to consider your answer. Clearly, you didn’t listen.”

Something green and bloody squelched to the ground in front of her. It was one of Ditan’s ears. He has no conscience or morals. How do I reason with him? She wept.

-You cannot.-

“You’ll learn to love me. For his sake,” Eilic said. He pointed to the smoke rising near the horizon. “That’s the signal. They’re on their way. I imagine the rest will be here before both suns set.”

“What do you want of me?” she cried. I need to get away from here. From these people. Now!

“I’ve already told you, Trynneia. I’ll earn it if I have to. Here,” he said, slicing through her hemp bindings with his bloody dagger. “I’ll let you heal him. If you can. I want you to see I’m merciful,” he whispered into her ear. The warmth of his breath made her shiver. She couldn’t tell if loathing or disgust filled her more.

She scurried away from him to rub her wrists and ankles. Slowly, their numb nerves gave way to painful tingles, and then warmth spread to give life to her extremities. Ditan looked piteous, his aura a muted brown. Sickness? Is he sick?

Trynneia picked up the ear from the dirt, brushing away bits of earth that clung to it. I can’t leave him. They’ll just do this or worse in my absence. He’s in no condition to flee.

-Neither are you.-

Neither am I.

“Dee, I’m here,” she said, cradling his head. His eye socket had been crushed and his fingers stomped. Eilic’s brutality frightened her. Ditan did not respond.

She placed the severed ear where it belonged, and her runes lit once more. Trynneia could see how it needed to attach itself, and the Light flowed from her into his wound. Her hand grew chill as his wound knitted itself together. Intuition guided her as she mended him, her influence making its way to the other damage their captor had inflicted.

Trynneia blinked but remained focused as will o’ the wisps flowed all around Ditan, one by one popping into a cell here, mending a cut there. What is that? More than the Light seemed to work on him. Her friend smiled.

“Enough of that. You’re to love me, not him,” Eilic said, jerking her away by her hair. “You’ll learn what he is soon enough, and you’ll thank me.”

She felt his grip curl and twist, his cruelty pulling out a snarled handful of golden strands. Trynneia alternated between seething hatred, refined pain, and abject terror in Eilic’s presence. She stifled a sigh of relief that he remained focused on her.

“You know, that might be a good look on you,” he said, flicking her hair away. “What do you think, mother?”

“Do you enjoy asking your mother for her opinion every five minutes, Eilic? Do you need her approval?” Ditan muttered. “Shame.”

“Do you value your balls, gobbo?” Ditan grunted as Eilic grabbed him. “I could relieve you of them. It’s not like they’re necessary.” He squeezed and Ditan screamed. “They’re not as impressive as you think they are.”

“Same to ya, pal,” Ditan groaned.

“Now where was I? Mother?”

“Shorn,” the Red said, her head whisking from side to side. “Shorn, shorn, forlorn.”

“I hoped you might say that,” Eilic said, amused. “While it does make a nice hand-hold, it makes you ugly. Let’s improve that.”

He reached for her and she ran. A Sentinel stepped out of the woods, blocking her path. The woman smacked the side of her head with an unstrung bow, and Trynneia staggered and fell.

“Delightful. I love that you’re so feisty,” Eilic said as he tied her up again, his knots constrictive and numbing. She felt woozy and numb, groggy from the blow and the unnatural fuzzing she felt. Another Sentinel arrived. Both helped restrain her as Eilic did his work.

Forced to her knees, Trynneia tried to maintain her calm as Eilic dragged his blade across her scalp, slicing away her hair. If some flesh fell away too, he didn’t care or stop. She winced at each tearing stroke, feeling the blood trickle down her neck and cheeks. It stained her blouse and dripped from her nose.

I will never again believe the Vigil serves the Light when men of such cruelty work amongst them. They did worse to Momma. I still live. I will escape from them. I will not let them get away with this.

-How?-

I don’t know.

“There, much better,” Eilic said. He licked blood from the bare flesh on her head and she winced. “More sweet than your friend. Don’t worry, young gobbo. You’ll have your turn. I just want to savor this.” He crouched to look at her. “See? I’m merciful. I have made you more beautiful. You should thank me.”

“Why would I do that?” she asked, attempting to feel defiant. Eilic responded with a fist to her cheek. His carry-through clipped her nose. Blood gushed down her mouth.

“What’s that? I didn’t quite hear you. Was that a ‘thank you’?”

Her head spun and she blinked away stars. The dull throbbing headache had been replaced by a sharp ringing one. Trynneia licked away the crimson flowing over her lips. Her glowing runes barely showed. I’m helpless, aren’t I?

-You could say that.-

“Yes, Eilic. Thank you,” she said, knowing he would hear her sarcasm as sincerity.

“Thank you for what?” he prodded.

“Thank you for making me beautiful.” No point in fighting. We’re both spent. I can try again some other day.

-If there is one.-

“Oh child, we’re just getting started.” Eilic nodded to the two Sentinels. “Take her away. She doesn’t need to see this.” Then he turned to Ditan as her guards dragged her from her friend.