BONUS SCENE
EVEN LIGHT IN THE DARK CAN BE UNWELCOMING
CASPIAN
The haze is finally leaving my mind. Too many voices crumble the shields guarding my thoughts, and my power somehow isn’t replenishing fast enough. What little remains is used to rebuild weakened barriers from the cries of anguish, murderous ideas, and unfamiliar tones.
Dim light illuminates my surroundings with a stench of decayed flesh mixing within the stale air.
I’m alone. In being alive–yes, in company–no.
There are two deceased bodies taking refuge in the corner, drained to the bone, a warning, nonetheless.
Their clothes hold their Academy crest, telling that they’re students, but not of Rebirth.
It sparks a sense of relief beneath my slow, rhythmic heart rate.
Whatever drug my brother, Kahlan, presented to me, has all but killed me.
My last memory is finding him inside my room with no surprise that he had managed to get through House Earth’s defenses.
They are more or less the same as his school .
And from our many conversations, he knew the side door to mine, as I do his.
A metallic taste coats my tongue as I spit. Blood spreads over the cemented floor. “Is that–”
I silence myself as the bars to my cell creak open with a repulsive grinding noise.
“You’re awake. Good,” An elderly voice states from the entrance. “They haven’t hurt you, have they?”
I’m not foolish enough to ignore the promise of pain wrapped in his words. Whoever this is wants the pleasure of doing it himself. This I can guarantee.
My throat strains to ask, “What do you want with me?” as I jerk on my binds to test their limits.
He steps beneath the moon’s bluish tint, but it does nothing to identify my captive. Dawning a black mask with gold symbols around the sides in a language even I can’t identify, he also wears a flowing, black robe, which stops at his ankles.
“You have something we need.” His steps continue until the stench of him engulfs my senses. “A legacy.”
“What legacy?” It’s a rhetorical question at best. There aren’t many legacies known in our time, but my knowledge of four holds me in an ongoing investigation.
A swift kick to my sternum releases more blood along with the toxic air I’ve been inhaling since I arrived. The chains binding my wrists have enough room for me to collapse, becoming drenched in foul bodily fluid of past prisoners as it smears my cheek.
His boot presses down on the exposed side of my head, forcing my face in deeper.
“No need answering now. By the time I’m done, you’ll beg for an ear to listen.”
Relief from the rigged patterns of his boot no longer pressing down allows me to sit up as I remove my head from the filth and spit once more, holding back the vomit which burns my throat.
“But in case you feel inclined to die here, let me give you a little incentive.” His finger snaps, summoning muffled screams from outside my cell, drawing closer. One heavy step and another, in heels, can be heard, but there is a third being dragged along the slickened ground.
A thud sounds, followed by a silent wheeze, which speaks that their other prisoner was struck.
Searching the shadows with a darting gaze, I see three bodies cross into the light.
Two are dressed in identical garments as the male before me.
The third wears a tattered dress, exposing her breasts as though it’s been ripped, and a woven bag blankets her head.
Scratches, cuts, and bruises line her body, and my aura reacts in anger, yet these cuffs prevent me from using magic. A slave to their will.
It’s obvious which is the female of their bunch. Black heels, dripping with blood and other liquids, glisten beneath her robe. Releasing the prisoner and handing her off to the accompanied worker, she addresses me.
“This one’s cute.” A sultry tone is masked behind a tempted breath.
“A bit young, but then again, I love the taste of fresh meat.” She squats outside the reach of what these chains allow, grasping my chin.
“Oh, the fun I’m going to have with you.
So handsome and full of life. A warm body I can play with–satisfying my needs and darkest desires. Can you handle the task?”
Her tone sweetens in hopes of luring me in, driving her nails into the soft flesh beneath my chin, forcing my attention away from those lingering behind.
Scoffing, “No,” I feel her nails draw blood as she drags them away and places her finger under her hood and moans.
“So delicious. Your stubbornness only excites me more,” she croons, backing away and returning to her prisoner.
“Let’s see if this will change your mind.
” My chains yank against the brick wall as she removes their hood.
Metal births agony as it slices my wrist, accompanied by the visual anguish of seeing my sister beaten and battered.
“I’m going to murder every. Fucking. One of you!” My words crack and eyes burn from a blurring vision. But my declaration remains cemented. A vow. A promise. They will all die.
“There!” The elderly fay spits. “The fighting spirit I’ve been longing to break,” he exclaims, clasping his hands in a celebratory manner.
Are you okay, Clarissa? Speak to me. Her lids struggle to pry open, but tears gloss her sight, which means she is less than okay. But enduring.
“I’m alive, brother. I haven’t given them anything. But with you here now, I fear my time has expired.” The little my heart has left begins to shatter under the tone of her magical signature. The clarity of its normal essence is fogged in a murkier shade.
Just hold on. I’ll get us both out of here, I promise.
“I believe you.”
“Enough with this family reunion. Take her back,” the elderly fay demands.
“See you soon,” his seductress calls from the door. “Let’s hope you can show me your…massive fighting spirit. I’d hate to be disappointed.” My stomach knots at the implication, but even more at what they’ve done to Clarissa. They will all pay, and she will watch me do it.
I mentally reach out as they haul her away. I pray she hears my internal voice and believes death won’t occur by their hands. With no response, I scream into my soiled and dampened sleeve. Masking the pain I find myself in, I know that for tonight, my only companion is hope.
Hope that another day will embrace me with both of us alive.
“Caspian, give me a sign. I’m coming.”
Her voice is an unmistakable sonance. This is the first I hear from her since embarking on their mission.
It tortures me, hearing her thoughts of distress.
Him becoming me and isolating her. Receiving such warm and endearing compliments.
She needed to be on this mission, and somehow, I know Blaise had a hand in me being here. Somehow, that asshole intervened .
Knowing she won’t hear me, I still respond. I have so many apologies to give you, my Sweet. Much to tell and more ways of making it up to you. But I promise, if given the chance, eternity won’t be long enough to fix this.
These thoughts remain in me. Not having mastery of my own abilities resulted in this punishment. One I deserved. How could things have gotten this far out of hand. My parents, my siblings…Kyra. Cursed by the Gods and forced to rectify their mishaps. Fitting.
Kyra continues speaking, and I leave enough room for her thoughts to find me.
Resting my weight against the jagged bricks, I allow the two most important women to enter my mind.
Though Clarissa has gone silent, we both agree to endure this torture until a single moment presents itself with an opportunity.
Her will is mine, and if I know my sister, we don’t need words to communicate this much.
“Fuck! Caspian, please. Where are you?”
I’m here. I haven’t abandoned you.
If they stick to the plan, making it out alive seems possible. Me on the other hand, I gained from the elder’s thoughts that I have four weeks. Four weeks until Kyra may never see me again.