Narth yanked her forward as the group followed him towards the warehouse. She purposely stumbled and pulled away from him as they approached. When one of them stopped to help her, she hissed at them to keep away. When the crossbows pointed their direction, she felt them tense.

“This isn’t your first time selling someone off,” She whispered to encourage him, “You’ve got merchandise. Who do you need?”

“Where’s Yan?” Narth yelled, “I’ve got someone he’d be interested in.”

When the rope yanked, Mira threw herself forward and dramatically fell to the ground. Tears ran down her face as someone approached them. Six dwarves surrounded them with weapons drawn. She watched to make sure the boys didn’t seem as nervous as they smelled.

“Please, help me!” She cried, “They—they kidnapped me!”

“You’re the new guy from Vimgraunt?” The older dwarf grunted, “Young posse.”

“Friends with Berten,” Narth crossed his arms, “Who else would be able to get slaves? Orcs’ve always done it best.”

“What a pretty little fish you caught too,” Grubby hands grabbed her face, “Did you have to hit her face? It’ll take a while to heal. Ugly ones sell for less.”

“She was feisty when we got her,” One of the other orcs grunted, “Had to break her in or she’d try to get away.”

The ancient dwarf smelled of whiskey and cigars. Discolored spots littered his grimy face and matched his stained teeth. The oily white beard and hair practically turned yellow from the smoking and drinking.

“Really? I’m surprised you didn’t break something.”

“No, you have to help me!” Mira forced tears to her eyes, “Please—”

“Sweetheart, I don’t have to do shit,” He laughed, “They threw you here because I’m the best bet you have for getting out of that mess. I’ll pay a good amount for you too.”

“What?” Her voice quivered, “You don’t—you don’t mean that I’m stuck, do you?”

“What talents do you have?” The man smirked, “I could keep you around for myself, if you’re a good girl.”

“I—” She bit her lip and rapidly shook her head, “I can cook and clean! I… I can’t do much else.”

“A shame,” He sighed, “I’ll have to break you in before your next master buys you, then. Can’t have them expect you to be prudish when they meet you.”

“No! Please!” Mira screamed, “I just want to go home! Let me go!”

Yan grabbed her hair and yanked it down. Her brand showed its crawling veins along her pale skin. She heard the crumpling of paper and a sharp ping in her bones as they verified her brand.

“This is a nice one, too. Haven’t seen one this intricate in a while. How did you get her?” The dwarf asked.

“Bought her off of a family friend,” Narth shrugged, “I figured she’d be more obedient with that.”

“I’m going to have so much fun with her.”

The mad cackle rang out into the air as he threw a bag of money back at the orcs. One handed the fake contract to Yan. Mira winced as the grabbed the rope and dragged her towards the door. When her eyes met Narth’s again, she saw the familiar sadness and pity. She couldn’t let him show any regret. He needed to play the part.

“I’ll get you back for this! I swear!” She hissed, “I will find you and make you pay for this!”

“There’s that feisty behavior,” Another dwarf said, “Can’t hide it for long, can you?”

Rope dug into her skin as they dragged her towards the warehouse. After feinting pitiful attempts to get away, she openly sobbed. The weaker she appeared, the better. They wouldn’t keep an eye on her that way.

The large barn door slammed shut behind her. She ignored the rancid discussion on how to break her in as they tugged her along. Hundreds of cages lined the walls as they walked her down towards the end of the corridor. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath. Sunodagh was right, only she could do this.

Only, he was wrong about something more important.

Mira counted at least thirty cages along the walls. Each was no larger than her room in Isaan’s cabin, but with at least five bodies shoved in. Most were no older than Tella. Her nostrils flared as they forced her towards the back of the warehouse and threw her into a cage of older children and adults.

“Untie those knots and see what you can do about her face,” One of the dwarves grunted and tossed the remaining rope into the cell, “We’ll be back after getting her paperwork filed.”

Mira knelt on the ground until the guards were out of sight. She looked at the other prisoners quickly before doing a final count.

“Guards,” She whispered, “How many are there?”

“At least twenty at a time,” An older elf whispered, “They take breaks every few hours. Shift change every six.”

“When’s the next one?”

She popped her shoulder out of place and dragged it from the ropes. The rash itched against her skin as she ripped the rope away.

“Maybe three hours?” He grunted, “That determined to leave? Breaking your own bones?”

“Not broken,” She slammed her shoulder against the cell bars until it connected again, “I have three hours to rescue everyone. Can’t waste time with broken bones.”

“What? You can’t be serious. They’ll kill you!” A dwarven woman grabbed her freed wrist, “Here, let me get the ropes off and we can try to help you understand.”

“That’s precious… but I don’t need help.”

Her free hand sparked into flames and she burned the rope from her side.

“I need information. Where are the weapons?” She looked around as she shook the fire from her hands.”

“How did… a mage?!”

“Yes,” She nodded, “Now, tell me what I need to know, and this will be quicker for everyone involved. Are all the cells connected by one key? Is everyone shackled together?”

“There are babies are upstairs—only about ten. Most of the kids here are under eleven,” The woman said, “Us older folk are let out to work at shift change. If we wait until then—”

“There will be more of them here for me to deal with. Unacceptable. Too much danger,” Mira scrunched her nose and surveyed their surroundings, “I’ll find them afterwards and deal with it.”

The small flicker of light hid most of the bodies around her. Mira decided it was safe to fully endorse whatever powers she could. The mist stretched from her to feel the hundreds of feet around her. Each person stiffened at the unknown feeling. With the haphazard darkness around them, she knew she could get away with it. She felt the simmer of magic on the ankles of most of the thralls around her. Their brands wouldn’t be easy to see.

Expanding the mist exhausted her quickly. She reached towards the staircase and felt a desk on the unseen side. As the darkness crawled over it, she felt what she searched for.

“They just leave keys on the desk? Terrible amateurs.”

“How can you see that far? The candlelight is barely visible.”

Mira completely ignored the question, “I’m going to put the lights out in fifteen minutes. If I make a big enough distraction, can you get the keys and unlock yourselves from your shackles? They haven’t locked me in yet.”

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“Who are you even—”

“Yes or no,” She hissed, “I don’t have time to answer your question.”

“What else do we need to do?”

“I’m going to kill the man that has your contracts. Once that happens, you will be able to free yourselves and get the children out, right?” She looked between them, “If you can’t, let me know now so I can plan accordingly.”

Without the mask, her energy drained quickly. She would have to kill Yan, then his older soldiers to make sure that most of the children were freed automatically. As she debated on the best possible plan, angry footsteps approached her.

“I’ll go upstairs and carry as many of the babies as I can,” The woman whispered, “Can you get the—”

“Both of you go get them. I’ll handle the kids down here,” She whispered, “Just… be ready. This won’t be pretty.”

“Are you actually going to do this? Who the bloody—”

“Quiet.”

Mira walked to the next cell and wagged a finger to get the attention of someone. An dwarf child with budding facial hair stretched over to listen to her. She kept her voice low to keep herself from alarming him.

“Tell everyone to keep their eyes down if it goes completely dark, okay? Spread it down.”

“The last person that tried to break everyone out… died painfully,” The boy said, “It isn’t worth it.”

“None of them are my master,” She crouched down to his eye level, “So, they can’t hurt me like they can hurt you. Just make sure everyone looks away. Okay?”

“What do you plan to do?” Someone across the room whispered.

“Nothing you should see,” Her muscles relaxed, “Do not panic. Panic causes mistakes. Get as many out as you can. I will handle the rest.”

The angry, ancient dwarf stomped from the bottom of a rickety staircase over to her cell. His set of keys dangled from his belt as he thrust a finger towards her. She smirked at his annoyance.

“This contract is shit!” Yan slammed the paper down, “It doesn’t say anything worthwhile to actually make you listen. What kind of amateur—”

Mira felt the mist swirl around the dwarf’s ankles. She put her hands on the bars of her cell and smiled coldly. He gawked awkwardly and took a step back from her sudden change.

“I will give you one chance to release the children,” She said sweetly, “I hope you take that seriously.”

The dwarf sputtered and laughed as he grabbed the sword at his side, “Hysterical. I’ll just kill you and—”

Her fingers squished the metal as she peeled the bars apart. She stepped through the opened space as the dwarves aimed their crossbows at her.

“What the—”

His head rolled from his shoulders before he finished the sentence. She cackled madly and the spear in her hand fully solidified.

“Oh no,” She playfully pouted, “I’m terrified.”

“What the f— Get down! That’s an order!”

Mira looked back at the older two in her cell, “Do as you said you would, or I’ll find you next.”

As one bolt pierced her shoulder, the woman behind her screamed. She grunted and looked at the dwarf that shot her. Another bolt pierced her stomach and she smiled madly at them.

“I suggest you run,” She lowered her voice, “Because it will be more fun for me that way.”

The next bolt aimed at her was split in half with a swipe of her glaive. A dagger flew from her hand into the throat of the dwarf that shot her. Her foot swept up the key and she kicked it back to the cell behind her. She glared at the group of ten men surrounding her and grinned. She ripped the bolt from her shoulder and tossed it to the ground. When she heard the click of a loaded crossbow, she grabbed the second bolt.

“Alright,” She chuckled, “Let’s get to business then.”

Mira did not enjoy using her magic this much in her human form. The madness swept through her. She knew her prey felt it as well.

She twisted around the next bolt and thrust her blade into the gut of the next victim. In another moment of pause as her prey decided what to do next, she grimly smiled and wiped the bloody blade across her face.

“Who the hell—you’re a blood mage?!”

Another swipe through the man, she turned and her free arm lit ablaze. When she saw the eyes of the children across from her, she shook her head. They would be safe.

As another projectile flew towards her, she slapped it down with her flaming hand. Mira threw herself between them and the henchmen. After crunching an opponents nose under her fist, she threw a ball of flame towards the ceiling. The distraction gave her temporary cell mates to flee towards the stairs.

“What are you—”

“I demand your full attention,” Her hand charred the skin on his nose, “Now, fight me!”

As they hesitated, she sliced through the leg of another to cripple him instantly. She knew a few more minutes would bring most of the guards. She just needed to bide her time. Their shouts to bring other guards rang out in the stunned silence of the caged children. She scanned to see most of them crouched down as close to the ground as they could get to.

Mira swirled beneath a swinging sword to and grabbed the dwarf’s ankle. She yanked it from beneath him and burned the skin beneath her grasp. There was no time to waste now. She would rain hellfire on these terrible masters so no other would suffer like her.

After the bodies around her fell into lifeless heaps around her, she looked towards the second floor. She felt the blurriness enter her and she felt the ache in her muscles. She watched the first cell empty and keys spread to others. She trudged through the sluggish feeling towards the desk.

“It’s safe for now,” She yelled, “Get the others out while you can!”

Mira swiped the keys from the desk and threw them into the nearest cage. She groaned and grabbed her head in her hands.

“Not right now,” She whispered, “I can do this. Just a bit longer.”

She knelt next to a corpse and the spear in her hand morphed into a dagger. She stabbed it into the chest and tore it open. The squelch of blood sent blissful relief into her body as she plunged her hand in. She absorbed it with a groan as the clanks of shackles echoed down the corridor. Her head jerked upwards at the quiet arguing above them.

“Almost done,” Mira whispered, “Just need to get them out.”

The half-asleep husk of a woman staggered up the stairs. Some of the children followed her without thinking. Her brand burned against her with each breath and sent a fire into her blood.

“Where are the babes?”

“This room!” A young elf tugged her wrist.

Mira violently ripped away and furrowed her brow. The girl squeaked and recoiled.

“Get them out.”

“Yes ma’am!”

Her brand burned as she continued to fight against her exhaustion and the thought of how her master would disapprove of this. She was not hiding behind the wraith. Hundreds would recognize her if they saw her again. In that moment, she didn’t care.

They needed to see another thrall save them. Not a monster.

The elf and dwarf shoved open a door with a child tucked under each arm. They blinked at the trail of children following her up the stairs. Her shoulders slumped as she constantly blinked to keep her eyes open.

“What’s wrong?” The woman asked, “You don’t look so good.”

“I used the majority of my energy. It is waning. I will collapse soon.”

“What?! Let me—”

Mira smacked the offered hand away, “Get them out. I can handle myself.”

“But—”

“I won’t die here. They could,” She grabbed the small green elf from her arms, “The ones behind me will help. You said there’s ten? Get them to the blue orc outside. He’s with me.”

She awkwardly held the small baby against her chest as she turned back down the stairs. Everyone concerned themselves so much with how she was. She was fine. She would live. She always did.

Mira coughed violently as she reached the final step. The black rope around her neck cinched tighter with each movement. She knew her master would hate this night and punish her extensively if he found out she rescued these people. If he was here, she would be forced to make them sign a new contract under him.

“Carry,” She wheezed as she stretched the baby out to another child.

Each breath stabbed into her lungs like glass. She walked to the pile of corpses and slashed the chest of another. As her hand slid under the skin, she moaned and let the blood seep into her. Mundane or not, her body ached when the pitiful amount of energy returned to her. Her vision blurred again as she looked up at the candles.

“It’s time,” Mira whispered to herself, “I can’t hold on anymore.”

She reached up to the light and snapped to extinguish it. As her consciousness faded, she felt a familiar pain crack her bones again.

Narth paced outside as his friends argued over what to do next. It would take days for the woman to fully infiltrate and make a large enough scene to get out.

“I don’t know. Chief Sunodagh said—”

“He’s not here! Should we have even trusted—wait something’s happening.”

The few archers posted outside of the doors turned at a noise and ran inside. The orcs braced themselves around their hiding place to watch for any signs of trouble. After minutes of silence, the door quietly slid open to a mass of children sneaking out. When they saw there weren’t any guards, they sprinted out.

“Wait—come here! We’re here to help!” Narth jumped out, “We’re with her!”

After a startled look of confusion, the mostly human group cautiously approached. As more and more former thralls siphoned out, the group of orcs led them further away from the building.

“Damn, Sunodagh was right. This woman is a miracle.”

Whispers of blood and demons echoed through the growing group. Then, a crash of fire and light screeched from the roof of the building. Screaming children fled from the door, the orcs grabbed their weapons. Narth reached his hand out to grab one by the shirt.

“What happened?!”

“She said not to look!” The little boy said, “It’s a demon!”

Black mist flowed from the open door as the gnarly beast crawled out. Glowing eyes swished across the horizon as it looked for an escape. The billowing darkness blurred its form as it approached with no true outline to be seen. The shadow cradled an infant in its grotesque appendage. Narth’s arms shook as he tucked his hands under its armpits.

The tales of the wraith did not describe what stood in front of him. There was no hair, no mask, and nothing that could be mistaken for humanoid. It acted as a moving shadow. The only clear source was the piercing orbs that glared down at the orc.

“Her things,” The inhuman growl cut into the night air.

“What—what are—”

“Things.”

“Is she safe?” He swallowed the dryness in his throat.

“Safe?” It unnaturally titled its head at him, “Never.”

“Why –”

“Things.”

“Over—over there!” He pointed.

The shadow wordlessly moved towards her discarded bags. It slumped over the bag until it slid the mask out. As it lifted it’s face from the ground, it howled in terrible pain. It’s liquid body contorted into impossible long limbs and silver hair sprouted from behind the mask. As the wraith stood fully. It snatched her bag from the ground. The masked face scanned the astonished orcs and children.

“If these men hurt you, I will kill them,” It spoke flatly, “You will be safe.”

It held the gaze of Narth for a moment longer before it turned back to the warehouse.

“Leave. I will deal with this.”

“What—what about our aquellan?”

“Aquellan? I did not know you considered her as such,” Its hoarse chuckle sounded more like a growl, “She will live. You have no need to worry.”

“How can I thank her?” A child sheepishly asked.

“Do not become a thrall again,” It curled its fingers, “Now go.”

“What are you going to do?” Narth asked, “Where should we—”

“First, I will destroy this place. Then, I will hunt.”

“What… what could you possibly need to hunt?”

“I hunger for magic,” The wraith looked down at him, “I will find a beast near here and consume it.”