Chapter 24
Seda
“Tell me about yourself, Elco,” Seda asked him as they lounged near each other at the bars.
“What do you want to know, little moon-flutter?” Elco let out a deep sigh, and the comforting warmth from his breath seeped into her bones.
“You said you were a protector before. What happened?” A mouse darted across the floor between them, and Elco quickly swatted it, smashing the small creature.
“Disgusting things. They defecate where they eat.” He lifted his paw and eyed the smashed remains, then wiped it across the floor away from them.
He sighed and continued, “I watched over these lands and flew through the sky, reaching for the stars. Oh, how I miss the freedom of the air sweeping through my wings. I’ve not used them since they captured me.
I’m not sure if they would still work. The Mother Goddess was the only being I answered to.
Her magic and love protected our people and my friends.
I gave up hope on her return many years ago. ”
Seda sat up, captivated by his story, and cautiously reached out her hand through the bars to touch his scaled back.
He tensed and looked at her with suspicion.
She pulled her hand back slightly and looked at him with gentle eyes, seeking permission.
He nodded and settled back down. She slowly placed her palm on his back again, gliding her hand down and feeling the rough texture of his skin.
Elco let out a deep purring sound.
Elco continued, “When the gods left this place, the Monster King stole her source and left behind a damaged core. He used the dark stone to capture all manner of beasts and has ruled over all since.”
“I’m so sorry, Elco,” Seda genuinely replied as she slowly ran her hand up and down his scaly skin.
“It’s not your fault. You were not around for the downfall. But you do remind me of someone I used to know.”
“Who…” Seda started, but the door creaked open, and the sound of footsteps descended upon them.
Alexi came into view and saw Elco with Seda, pausing. “Uhhh…” He looked between them in confusion.
Elco growled at him and flashed his teeth.
Alexi’s face flared in anger. “You know you cannot do anything, beast! Back up and let me through the door.” He flashed his knife at Elco and then pulled the keys out, holding them up. Elco rose to his feet, retreated to the wall, and hissed.
Seda stood as Alexi placed the key into the lock.
The door slowly creaked open as he stood there staring at her.
“So now you have made friends with disgusting beasts? You never cease to shock me, you fucking freak. Were you talking to that thing? Have you truly gone insane?” He stepped slowly into the cell, while Seda stayed in her position.
Alexi walked up to her and touched the ends of her bright hair. “What will we do with you?” He grabbed a fistful of it and shoved her face into his, seething. “What did you tell Lord Mordred, you bitch?”
“What’re you talking about?” she asked him, calmly staring into his angry eyes.
“He said that no one is allowed to touch you. That no one is allowed to impregnate you!” A snarl tore from him as he roughly grabbed the hair in his fist and pressed it to his nose, inhaling it deeply.
Seda did not reply. He reached down and grabbed her butt, squeezing it forcefully. “I may not be allowed to fill you with my seed, Seda. But I’m in charge of this room, and when I’m here, I am your lord.” He pushed her down to her knees.
White-hot anger flashed through her. She pushed herself back onto her feet and stared into Alexi’s eyes. “No.”
“What do you mean, ‘no’? You will suck my cock like the good little whore you are.” He pushed her down again and quickly unzipped his pants. He struggled to keep her down as she scratched at him, leaving marks on his still-healing arms.
“You fucking bitch!” he yelled as blood dripped down. He backhanded her across the face, and she flew to the side, catching herself on the bed.
Seda’s mind flashed back to the day fifteen years ago.
The pain and the torment it left on her soul.
Then she thought about Cahir and how he tore into Michael, how it made her satisfied to see his heart ripped from his chest. Alexi jumped onto her, holding her down.
“He won’t know if I do it just this once. ”
Anger exploded within her, and she felt a rush of energy pulsate through her body, starting in her chest and radiating out to her fingertips. She shoved Alexi away, and a burst of purple sparks flew from her hands, sending him crashing against the bars.
His body jolted with an electric shock, shaking as he convulsed across the bars.
The smell of fried hair and burning flesh filled the room.
Seda watched in horror as his skin turned black.
Her eyes went wide with shock, and she continued watching until his body froze, then crumpled to the ground, motionless.
Elco watched from outside the cell before entering through the open door and snagging Alexi’s burnt figure between his teeth. His set of keys clattered to the ground as they flew aside.
The sound of crunching bones and flesh echoed within the long hall.
Elco ate him, clothing and all.
Seda stood frozen in horror, looking down at her hands and seeing the glowing purple veins etched into her skin, reaching up her forearms. “W-What was that?”
Elco finished his meal and burped loudly. He looked over to Seda. “I knew you were not fully human. He was a little burnt. Next time, don’t toast for so long, please.”
Seda sat on her disgusting bed and looked at her fading hands.
Where did that come from?
The purple slowly receded with each passing hour.
She picked up Alexi’s keys and hid them under her mattress, making sure to lock herself back in for when the next Rozzer came in.
She had no idea what to say to them when they arrived, which might lead to questions about her. Questions she couldn’t answer.
Now that she had the keys, she might be able to plan an escape. She just needed to figure out how and when.
Elco made his way back to the front of the vast hall and sprawled his body out, quickly falling asleep. The sound of his gurgling stomach filled the space.
She killed someone.
She should feel bad about taking a life, but oddly, she didn’t.
He deserved his pain for torturing her and who knows how many others in his weak existence of a life, for attempting to hurt her again.
She wondered about his mother, how often he visited her, and how she might miss him the next time he was supposed to show up.
My mom says girls like her like to gloat to make us feel inferior.
No, she wouldn’t feel bad for his mother, nor anyone else who did not care for the lives of others. She felt slightly good, happy even. Seeing his body writhe on the floor and the smell of his burning skin made her smile.
The hall door opened, and Seda stood up from the bed, hiding her faded purple hands behind her.
“Where is Alexi?” A large, burly Rozzer came into view and stood at her bars, looking at her. His low, slithering voice crawled up her spine.
“Who?” She did not know what to say; playing dumb was in her best interests.
Elco popped his head up and looked over at them, slanting his eyes at the Rozzer. She looked at him and slightly shook her head as the Rozzer looked back at Elco.
“Your guard. He came in here a few hours ago, and I have not seen him since. Why do I smell something burnt?” He looked back at Elco.
“Oh, he left earlier,” she tried to make her voice sound weak, pretending to be upset from Alexi’s visit. She struggled to hide a smile and pouted instead, catching the eye of the Rozzer.
The Rozzer looked at her with suspicion and then back to Elco.
He took out his whip and pointed the butt of it at her.
His crimson eyes flashed. “I don’t know where he is, but if I find out you’re lying to me and that beast had something to do with it, I’ll be back for you as well.
I don’t care what Mordred said. Punishments here are harsh, and when you misbehave, you get punished. ”
He walked over to Elco and whipped him across the back. Elco roared, shaking the rock walls. More lizard creatures piled into the hall, dragging him out and stabbing him with electric sticks. The doors slammed closed, and Seda could hear shouting and the sounds of Elco whimpering outside the walls.
The smoldering embers of her fury began to burn deep within her chest once more.