Chapter 33
CALISTA
So rarely do I feel sympathy when it comes to killing a man.
Torturing them, removing layers of flesh and bone, listening to their pleas for mercy. It’s a routine by this point, a reason for my demons to chase away the blood and agony of my own memories.
And replace them with those of an enemy.
“Another one.”
The man screams as Maleficent’s demand is carried out by her executioner. A flattering title for the child who was raised to strip a man of his flesh just as easily as his pride.
His middle finger falls to the floor, joining the mass already waiting. The skin I removed from his knuckles, wrists and forearms is also on the pile, adding a bloody layer to the digits no longer attached to his body.
If he keeps this up, he’ll be lucky to walk away with a couple of thumbs.
“Let’s try this again, shall we?”
Sweeping her dress to the side, my mother settles herself down on the chair sitting opposite him. It’s unusual for the Dragon to make a guest appearance during torture sessions, but with the Sea Witch out of town, someone has to handle the interrogations.
And as I pointed out, a dance between two women is always better than one.
“When I asked you to settle the matter-
“I-I did.”
“No.” Her lips purse together, distaste flaring her nostrils, “I asked you to dissolve the dispute with a simple negotiation. A cheque and a favour that would satisfy the rival bounty hunters without any need for violence. But instead you used the opportunity as a means of a personal gain.”
“I-I didn’t mean-
“And by doing so you have turned both parties against me.” Her eyes narrow with thinly veiled spite, “Returning to my territory with a bigger nuisance than how it started.”
“P-Please.” Sobs escape his mouth, “I-I needed the money. I have a family to support-
“Something you should have thought about before now.”
Massaging her temples as though a headache is on the horizon, Maleficent lets out a long sigh.
“Give me the names of your associates. I want names and addresses.”
Grief splashes down on his cheeks as the doomed man shakes his head.
“It was just me.”
She gives me a nod and I slash my knife back down. Screams rattle the cellar we’re in, the stained concrete walls holding his agony captive from the outside world.
Another pound of flesh joins the growing pile on the floor, the desperate wails attacking my skin as though they might breach the callused surface.
His suffering bounces off me as easily as it did an hour ago. I feel no remorse as I remove another finger with the flick of my wrist, the glistening edge of my blade reflecting a hollow grave as I rip the ligaments free from his skin.
“That’s enough, Calista.”
She waits for me to retreat back into the shadows.
“Now, as I was saying-
“Ma’am?”
A guard risks life and limb to peek his head around the concrete cylinder that labels itself a door.
“I need to speak with you.” His eyes slip towards the man tied to the chair before snapping back in place, “Immediately.”
“Very well. Send in someone to clean up this mess and bring a glass of water. I need him alive until we finish this conversation.”
She pauses, glancing at what’s left of the man’s hands, “And you’d better bring a straw.”
My stilettos click along the concrete as I trail after her, waiting for my leash to be extended. Torture or kill, the man’s fate is left in my hands.
Just as mine is left in hers.
“What is it?”
Brisk and straight to the point, the Dragon is a woman who does not take kindly to interruptions. Particularly those that come in the shape of a man.
Funny how close my apple fell from her tree.
“It’s the borders, ma’am. Activity has been spotted on the east side of town. A group of people trying to break in through the Queen’s Maze.”
“Who reported this activity?”
“Esther Gohel. The nun from the-
“Unreachable tower. I am familiar with the criminals who run my streets, soldier.”
He flinches as if she slapped him.
“Rumours have been spreading like wildfire. Word has gotten out that the borders may open-
“Shut those rumours down.”
“It’s too late, ma’am.” He stutters nervously, “The new mayor has promised the general population a brighter future. A future where everyone can benefit from the black market, not just the board members.”
Irritation tightens her jaw.
“Erik Prince is making waves.”
“A mayor with a mind of his own.” Clicking my tongue, I cast a sly grin her way, “Your pet project is rebelling already, mother.”
“So it would seem.”
“His stepdaughter is an easy target, however given her relationship with Marlin Seaborn…” I trail off, letting the thought simmer, “You would risk losing the support and the investment of the Seaborn family. Both of which create quite the impact on your council.”
“The stepdaughter is out of the question.”
“And so is the man she calls a father.”
Curiosity spills into the lingering frustration, dimming the fire in her eyes by the slightest degree.
“You sound confident.”
“I am confident that the new mayor has already won the favour of the general population.” Flicking out my blade, I start wiping the bloody residue on the inside of my thigh, “If you cut him down before he has the chance to fail, you are crucifying yourself. Reinstating the image that Erik is the leader they have been waiting for.”
The guard watches me with suspicious eyes, the easy toss of my knife coming a little too close to the scruff on his jaw.
Far too blonde for my liking.
“If you let him continue to fan the flames, however, you may find yourself with a mayor wearing a noose around his neck. Just waiting for the right opportunity to fall through a trapdoor.”
“You propose to let the rumours play out.”
“And see how Erik handles the fallout of unfulfilled promises.”
Pressing the blade to my lips, I skim the razor along the sensitive flesh. Maleficent watches closely, her eyes tracking the curve of a malicious smile.
“A saviour who cannot act upon his good faith, well... that right there is just a man.”
Lipstick stains the serrated blade, a delicate reminder of who holds the power in this town.
“A knight destined to die upon his own sword.” Thin lips pinch together, the first hint of a smile breaking through the Dragon's stony expression, “Quite the tragedy, indeed.”
“Ma’am? There was one other thing.”
The guard straightens, shouldering his way back into the conversation.
“The unsolicited attempt to enter our borders was done by a group of people. An unidentified group who only had one thing in common.”
He swallows, perspiration breaking out beneath Maleficent’s stare.
“They were all wearing animal masks.”
My mother stills.
A frigid, suffocating tension that I have never seen from her before.
“What kind of animal masks?”
Each word is chipped, sharpened to draw blood.
“All kinds. They are listed in the report here-
A yelp rings out as my mother rips the paper from his grasp.
Her eyes soak in the words printed on the page, a severe expression wrinkling the skin between her brows. I watch her closely, noting the sliver of panic that needles its way to the surface.
“Increase security by thirty percent. Day and night, I don’t want the east side to be unguarded.”
“But ma’am, the shift schedule-
“Will be rearranged to accommodate the change. Initiate the order and ensure everyone is on board. Those who oppose can report their grievances to me.”
It’s a bold statement, one that has its intended purpose.
The guard quickly backs away, his eyes bouncing from the Mistress of Evil to the person who sees her threats through.
“I’ll see that it is done.”
The guard scurries down the tunnel and disappears from view. Muffled wails ring out from the concrete cellar, the torture chamber keeping our hostage nice and warm for a long, unpleasant evening.
“Shall we resume the interrogation?”
“No.”
I tilt my head, watching her stare aimlessly at the cracked pavement before us. Cruel cheekbones slice through an angular face, the luminous nature of her skin offering no comfort for the pinched state of her brows.
“Mother?”
My voice resonates between us.
“The guards who were patrolling the border last night.” She pauses, tearing her eyes from the splintered concrete to look at me, “Find them and Sister Gohel. Any witnesses who saw the incident, I need you to find them.”
It’s the words left unsaid that ring the loudest. The unspoken implication, the inevitable outcome I have spent my life training for.
Judge. Jury. Executioner.
Only one falls in the palm of my hand, the responsibility the Dragon casted to me so long ago.
“Find them?”
A dismissive wave is all I get in return.
“You know the drill. Make sure to leave a message.”
She leaves me standing there, staring at the cracks in the wall. Staring and wondering why the mass of destruction looks an awful lot like a reflection.
Kill them all.