Chapter 54
Chapter
Fifty-Four
SABLE
T he world comes into focus slowly, painfully. My head throbs, and my arms ache from being pulled taut above me. I blink against the harsh light, the glow of torches flickering in the darkness. The cool air bites at my skin, and the murmur of voices fills the space around me, growing louder with every passing second.
I know where I am before my vision fully clears. The square. The heart of the keep. The place I swore I’d never find myself again.
And yet, here I am.
I look down to see chains binding my wrists, my arms stretched above my head and secured to a thick iron post. The cold metal bites into my skin, and when I try to move, the chains rattle, a sound that makes my stomach churn.
“Awake, are we?” Rothgar’s voice cuts through the noise like a blade.
I lift my head, my heart sinking at the sight of him. He’s pacing around me, his expression one of smug satisfaction, like he’s already won some twisted game. His black cloak billows behind him, and his sharp features are illuminated by the flickering firelight.
“What is this?” I demand, my voice hoarse, laced with a mix of fear and anger. “What do you want?”
Rothgar’s grin widens as he steps closer, circling me like a predator savoring his kill. His eyes gleam with malice, the flickering torchlight casting shadows over his angular features. “What do I want?” he echoes mockingly, his voice a venomous purr. “Why, I want what’s mine. And you, little witch, are mine now.”
His words send a chill down my spine, but I refuse to cower. I force myself to meet his gaze, my own eyes blazing with defiance. “I’m not yours,” I spit, my voice sharp and unyielding. “I’m not anyone’s.”
“Oh, but you are,” he says smoothly, leaning in closer, his breath hot against my skin. “You see, you’re the perfect little bait. The sabers think you belong to them. They’ll come for you, and when they do…” He leans back, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “I’ll clip their claws and skin their pelts. It’ll be quite the spectacle.”
His hand snakes out suddenly, grabbing the edge of my tunic. My breath catches as he yanks at the fabric, tearing the neckline slightly. The crowd murmurs, their collective energy vibrating through the square.
“Stop,” I snap, twisting against the chains, but his grip only tightens.
“Why should I?” he sneers, his voice loud enough for the warlocks to hear. “You’re a danger to all of us. A hunter. A killer of warlocks. And now we find you’re something even worse—a witch.” His hand trails down the ripped edge of my tunic, and I feel the fabric slacken further .
“Get your hands off me,” I growl, venom dripping from my words, but Rothgar only chuckles.
“Oh, don’t worry, little one,” he whispers, his voice just for me now. “When I’m done here, I’ll make sure you regret every moment of your miserable existence. And when I claim your soul, it’ll be delicious.”
I can feel the heat of his touch through the thin material of my clothing as he pulls at the fabric again. My anger surges, my powers struggling against the chains that suppress them. I grit my teeth, yanking harder against the bindings as his hand ghosts lower, but the chains hold firm.
Before he can go any further, a deep, guttural growl cuts through the air. Rothgar pauses, his head snapping up, his smug grin faltering for the first time. My heart leaps as I see them—Kael, Torin, and Finn, their power radiating off them like a thunderstorm ready to strike.
“Let her go,” Torin snarls, his eyes blazing with fury. His voice is low, lethal, and it silences the square.
Rothgar smirks, his hand still resting on the torn fabric of my tunic. “Ah, the cavalry has arrived,” he says, his tone dripping with mockery. “Here to save your little pet, I see.”
Kael steps forward, his expression cold and unyielding. “Take your hands off her, Rothgar,” he says, his voice like ice. “Now.”
Even Finn, who is usually composed, looks murderous. “You’ve crossed a line,” he says darkly. “Touch her again, and you’ll wish you hadn’t.”
Rothgar looks between them, his smirk returning as if he thrives on their rage. “Interesting,” he muses, his fingers tightening on my tunic just to provoke them further. “Do you all care for her this much? How touching. I wonder how long that bond will last when the Trials begin.”
Torin takes a step forward, his hand already reaching for a blade. “Touch her again, Rothgar,” he says, his voice deadly calm, “and I’ll carve out your heart.”
Kael’s control cracks, his eyes darkening with unrestrained fury. “Let her go, or there won’t be enough of you left for the Trials.”
Finn narrows his eyes, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “You know the rules, Rothgar. She’s challenged you in the Trials. If you harm her now, you’ll be branded a coward in front of all these warlocks. Or are you too weak to face her when the time comes?”
The crowd murmurs again, and I see the flicker of doubt in Rothgar’s expression. He knows they’re right, and the warlocks surrounding us are beginning to nod in agreement.
Grinding his teeth, Rothgar releases my tunic, the torn fabric slipping back into place. “Fine,” he growls, his voice low and filled with venom. “The Blood Moon truce ends in two hours. We’ll settle this then.”
He steps closer one last time, his breath hot against my ear. “You’ll regret crossing me, little witch,” he whispers, his tone soft but deadly. “When the Trials begin, I’ll make sure you suffer.”
Torin growls again, Kael’s fists clench, and even Finn looks ready to snap, but Rothgar simply smirks and strides away, his followers trailing behind him.
As the crowd begins to disperse, the three of them rush to my side, their hands working quickly to free me from the chains. Torin pulls me into his arms as soon as I’m free, his grip firm and protective.
“You’re safe now, kitten,” he murmurs, his voice trembling with restrained anger. “We’ve got you.”
“Get her down,” Kael orders, his voice sharp with barely restrained fury.
Finn and Torin move quickly, undoing the chains that hold me. As soon as I’m free, I collapse into Torin’s arms, my body trembling from the adrenaline and fear. He holds me tightly, murmuring something I can’t quite hear.
Kael steps closer, his icy blue eyes scanning me for injuries. “Are you hurt?” he asks, his voice softer now.
I shake my head, unable to find the words. Finn places a steadying hand on my shoulder, his gaze filled with unspoken concern.
“We’re here,” Torin says firmly, his arms tightening around me. “You’re safe now, kitten. No one’s going to touch you again.”
But as I look at the wreckage of the square, at the faces of the warlocks who watched me like prey, I can’t help but feel the weight of Rothgar’s words. The Trials are coming, and I’m more of a target now than ever before.