Chapter 3 #2
The demon kneels in the center of the room. His ankles are chained beneath him. His head hangs and his arms are stretched wide. When the door closes behind me and Finn, I expect him to look up, but he doesn't. He barely breathes. For a moment I think he might be dead.
"Who is your friend?"
The gravelly voice claws at my mind like talons. Goosebumps ripple down my arms and it's not due to the frigid temperature.
"You wanted to speak to me," I take up my stance in front of the door, just in case I need to make a quick getaway. "So, speak."
The demon lifts his head, and his red-rimmed eyes meet mine, then dart to Finn behind me. Such darkness lies behind them. Soulless, hopeless, filled with so much anger and animosity. He's a sea of malevolence and I sense a storm brewing within him.
"I specifically said I wanted to speak to you alone."
"You should know I don't go anywhere alone these days," I retort, though goosebumps ripple up and down my arms and legs when his eyes find me. "Speak."
He flashes a toothy-grin. Despite the friendly face he's stolen, there's mayhem in his smile. "You seem to be in a hurry," he chuckles darkly. "Somewhere more important to be than down here with me?"
"Speak your piece, demon. I haven't the time for your tricks."
"My name is Vassago." He quirks a brow. "What name do you go by now, Princess?"
"You know who I am," I refuse to be lured into some game. "Why did you want to speak to me? If you don't tell me, I will walk out that door and you'll never see me again."
He laughs and the sound echoes in the circular dungeon. My skin prickles.
"We both know you won't leave until you have the information that elf wants.
" Myrth vanishes from his features, and he shoots up to a standing position, lurching toward me.
His chains hinder him from reaching me and to my credit, I don't shrink or flinch, though my heart is galloping. "Are you not afraid?"
"I do not fear your kind."
"Liar," he whispers in a serpentine hiss. "You fear Vesper. She knows it. She senses it. She finds your fear delicious."
The mention of Vesper's name rattles me, but I do my best not to show him my weakness.
"She dreams of you. Did you know that?" Vassago taunts me, tilting his head to the side like a curious bird. "You dream of her too, do you not?"
"Where is the portal?" I steer the conversation elsewhere.
"You think I'm going to tell you?" He tosses his head back and laughs. "I will tell you what I told that elf earlier. By the time you find it, it will be too late."
I shouldn't be down here. I'm not schooled in the art of interrogation. Diplomacy and negotiation were skills I wasn't deemed worthy to learn. If I could kick Master Caius in the balls, I would.
Naked. I feel naked in here. This demon sees right through me. Somehow with one look he knows exactly what I fear and who haunts me in my sleep. I might as well have spared him the trouble of observation and told him myself.
I take a deep breath, mulling through different strategies when he once again catches me off guard.
"Bastian speaks highly of you."
My eyes flick up to meet his. "What did you say?"
"Every day, you were all he spoke of. It was sickening." Vassago settles back down on his haunches. "I wonder if he will still hold you in such high regard now that he knows of you and the Trinkiti."
"Don't call him that." The words slip out before I have a second to think them through.
"I'm not sure who will make the Trinkiti suffer more. Bastian or Vesper." Vassago smiles and Finn tenses. He's struck another nerve, but this time, both me and Finn are affected. "But what I do know for certain is both would make you watch them torture him."
My hand flies for the dagger attached to my hip but find the holster empty. I'd forgotten the dagger Bastian gifted me had been sent on the decoy ship when we traveled to Elowen. What I would give to have it with me now. The action draws a deep, belly laugh from Vassago.
"Reach for any weapon all you like. You can't kill me! All that will do is release me from this body I have grown tired of so I can find a new one." His red-rimmed eyes find Finn. "Perhaps your body."
My fingers curl into my palms, biting the flesh.
"Tell me where the portal is – "
"I didn't ask that elf to bring you down to see me so I could answer your pitiful interrogation questions," he cuts me off with a menacing growl.
"I wanted to see you for myself. To see the fear in your eyes and hear the tremor in your voice when I mentioned Vesper's name.
She would be delighted to know she's right about you.
You're not strong. You're pathetic. And because of your selfishness, your refusal to align yourself with Bastian, your friends will be the ones who suffer. "
I inhale slowly to steady myself and feel Finn's chest anchored against my back.
"Don't let him get to you," Finn whispers.
I should heed his warning, but deep-rooted anger ignites in my feet and spears upward through my body. My knuckles turn white when I squeeze my balled-up fists, but Finn's voice echoes in my mind and I ultimately choose to walk away. I won't give this creature the satisfaction of seeing me unravel.
I rap my knuckles against the door, signaling for Thrane to let us out. "Rot here," I shoot Vassago one last look.
"My one regret is I will miss Drogon's return. He will destroy everything and everyone you love."
I shouldn't but I square my shoulders with his and listen to his departing threats.
"Vesper will save your Tronovian for last," he licks his crusty lips and smiles wide.
"He will suffer greatly. Perhaps, she will take his eyes first so he won't be able to see what she takes from him next.
Or maybe she will cut out his tongue so he can scream your name but you will never hear it – "
All sense of control purges from my body and I lunge for the demon as Thrane opens the door, but Finn shoves me back and I hit the floor hard. Vassago screams, clawing at his face. He moves like a man alit with flame, though his chains keep him firmly rooted in place.
I whip my head to Finn and shudder when I see his eyes are orange. He takes a commanding step toward the demon, the creature's screams grow louder with the proximity. "Tell me where the portal is and I will ease your suffering."
"No!" Vassago hisses between pained screeches. "No!"
Finn takes another heavy step forward, his shoulders tense.
"Finn," I whisper, but he's too focused on his victim to hear my solemn cry.
"Where is the portal?" Finn hisses, intensifying the demon's pain by the sound of his bellows.
Nyx slides his hands beneath my underarms and lifts me off the floor. I attempt to move toward Finn, but Nyx wraps his arms around me and tugs me against his chest.
"Don't touch him," he warns. "His magic could transfer to you by mistake."
I recall all the times Atlas attempted to stop Finn's assault on Tronovians and how the pain would shift to be inflicted on Atlas.
Nyx is right. Though it pains me to say it.
I don't have a card to play in this game.
All I can do is watch in horror as my dear, sweet Finn, becomes the version of himself most mortals fear.
"I have all day, demon," Finn spits, a viciousness in his tone. "Tell me where the portal is and I will release you from my grasp."
Vassago hasn't stopped screaming, hissing, and gnashing his teeth in unspeakable pain. Sweat beads around his hairline and tears stream down his cheeks. Finally, when pity for the creature blooms in my chest, the demon relents.
"It's in Midori!" he cries out. "The portal is in Midori!"
His yelling ceases and his body droops from the torture. Finn grabs him by the hair and pulls his head up. "Where in Midori?"
"The outskirts," he rasps. "About a three-day walk east of the Golden Palace. I have told you all I know," he pants. "Please, do not hurt me anymore. That is all I know. I swear! I swear!"
Finn swivels, silently glancing at Thrane beside me. I expect to see remorse on his face, but I'm surprised to find no such sign. Finn almost looks… satisfied? I'm not sure what to make of it, but I don't have time to ponder on it when Thrane nods in approval.
"I believe we are through here," my cousin states, tossing his cloak behind him and marching up the stairs.
Finn releases Vassago and follows Thrane without saying a word to me or Nyx. A shiver runs down my spine. I've seen Finn use his magic before but never like this. The fact he seems so unbothered has me worried.
"Let's go, Kitarni," Nyx rubs my shoulders, ushering me toward the door.
"Pain and suffering are the cornerstones of your life, Aurelia Basilius-Sol," Vassago spits my name like a curse, causing me to stop and face him. "Mark my words. Drogon will come for you. And you will beg for death before the end."
"He will try," is all I say and leave him and the dungeon behind.