CHAPTER 29
Zarreth
T he stench of rotting flesh oozing from my wounds nearly covers the smell of Aradon’s cigar. My horns are displayed on his desk like a hard-earned trophy. Next to them are my binding cuffs and a pile of thick textbooks.
Aradon’s nose is in a book, researching something that has his full attention. I sit in a corner popping my fingernails off one by one with his knife. What I wouldn’t give to stab him in the face with it.
“Once you have finished removing your last nail, soak your hands in that bucket of sulfuric acid,” he orders, nodding to the metal bucket sitting next to me.
I do as he says, unable to resist his mind control. It fucking hurts, but I grit my teeth, bearing it. I remain silent through the suffering, not giving him an ounce of my pain. I don’t want him to have that satisfaction.
Every night Aradon brings me to his chambers to torture me in various ways just like he did before I escaped. It’s only a matter of time before he’ll remove my wings. I hope being in different realms makes my bond with Frankie weak enough so she doesn’t feel my pain.
Sweat beads down my forehead as every nerve ending in my fingers throbs in searing agony. My mind is screaming for me to pull my hands away.
Finally, Aradon waves his hand, allowing me to remove mine from the bucket. He walks over, preparing to say something when a cloud of smoke appears, revealing a demon covered in blood.
I sigh in relief when Aradon loses his train of thought, turning around to address the demon. “What do you want?”
“Sir, we have a problem,” the demon says. He has a traveler’s mark so he must be one of Aradon’s spies.
“Well don’t just stand there, tell me,” Aradon snaps.
“The Recreants attacked our troops at the northern border. They killed everyone and set up camp.”
I perk up at the mention of my horde. The Recreants are rebelling again? How many are there? Do we even have an army big enough to do anything?
Aradon slams his fist on the desk. “How is that possible? They haven’t been active in years.”
“I don’t know, sir.” The demon’s voice tremors as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
“How did you not see this coming? Your only job is to gain intel on our enemies. You disappoint me. Leave before I have the maggot disembowel you.”
Aradon barely finishes his sentence before the runner disappears, leaving behind a cloud of smoke.
He looks my way. “What do you know about this?” he growls.
An eerie smile spreads across my face. I don’t know what my horde is up to, but I don’t tell him that. It pisses him off that he can’t force me to talk. His powers may control my body, but they will never infiltrate my mind.
“I will deal with you later,” he seethes. “Guards!”
The doors to his chambers fly open and two guards approach me. Aradon reapplies my cuffs and has me escorted back to my cell.
We walk past two commanders who look to be in a hurry. “Are you sure it’s female?” one of them says to the other.
Fuck! I don’t know for sure if they’re talking about Frankie, but I can’t take any chances. I need to stop them from getting to Aradon’s chambers.
Quickly turning to the guard on my right, I wrap the chain attached to my cuffs around his neck and pull. I’m weak, but I manage to pull the chain tight enough that it cuts through his flesh, severing his head from his body. Blood spurts everywhere, covering me in a crimson shower.
The second guard has already traced away before his friend’s head hits the ground.
The two commanders rush to my side, but I don’t have enough strength to fight them off. They quickly contain me and trace me back to Aradon’s chambers.
Aradon is leaning over a map, shouting orders to the demons surrounding him.
“What is this?” he shouts when he sees me again. “Why isn’t he in his cell?”
“Lord Aradon, he killed Marbas,” one of the commanders says.
“Who’s Marbas?” Aradon asks, annoyance lacing his voice.
“One of your guards, sir,” he answers.
Aradon huffs, rubbing his temples as he looks at me. “If watching you mutilate yourself every night didn’t bring me so much pleasure, I would have you beheaded.” He looks at his commanders. “Take him to the hole.”
Fuck!
They quickly gather a group of guards and trace me to the hole. Aradon gives them permission to beat me before throwing me in. His only stipulation being they have to keep me alive.
“This is for Marbas.” A guard kicks me in the head.
“You’re lucky you’re Aradon’s favorite toy or I would rip your head off, Maggot.” That’s the last thing I hear before I’m kicked into the hole.
I fall about fifteen feet before hitting the ground. I catch a small glimpse of dirt walls surrounding me before the door above slams shut, leaving me in total darkness.
I should be thankful Aradon is keeping me alive. As long as Frankie lives, I have reason to keep breathing.