Chapter Sixteen #3
Captain Auron’s smile is a mask; his eyes blaze with a vicious hunger for blood.
Spying guards everywhere in the tavern, they take up every bench, every stool.
My stomach sinks, wondering how I’m going to get out of this one.
The barman, Neal, stands rigid, observing us and listening intently while polishing the glasses.
Neal’s a good guy, loyal to the town, and far from stupid. He will not start a fight, he knows full well he can’t win, and right now, in a room with around twenty guards, there is no chance.
“So, you’re the fucker who attacked my men, eh?” he jeers. “I expected someone… bigger.” He turns to his men and laughs at my expense.
The two guards nurse themselves in the corner, staring daggers the whole time. Plotting some kind of retaliation.
Cocking my eyebrow at them, I turn my attention to Auron. “I asked your guards a question regarding my missing family. He…” I say, pointing to Fox-face. “Punched me first. It’s self-defence.”
Auron snickers under his breath. “They told me otherwise. And since they’re under my legion, I think I’ll believe them over some stray.”
I spit some blood onto the tavern floor, turning my attention back to the captain.
“I know what kind of guards Zury trains. I know firsthand of their kindness. Having been dealt the brunt of it not too long ago, when they came here to harass women. What kind of spineless bastards does Adrian allow in his guard? Or is he just as spineless that he knows no difference?” I snarl at him.
Auron eyes me, his face twitches for a split second, like I’ve hit a nerve.
“Got to say, kid, you don’t look like you have that kind of fire in you. I bet you’d make a good soldier.”
This time I laugh. “Not a chance. I just want to know where my family went.”
Auron considers me for a moment, clicking his tongue against his teeth. “It’s amazing just how many people will give up with a bit of torture.” He smirks. “Some people just can’t stand the pressure of it, you know.”
My face drops. “What do you…”
“What I mean is, someone in your lovely village was most willing to talk about your precious ‘friend’ and her family. Thanks to this information, we have apprehended them and taken them… somewhere safe.”
My breathing picks up, matching the speed of my heart. Somewhere safe? Nowhere is safe. And here I thought the town was loyal to us. I can’t believe someone gave them up. I should have predicted this, should have moved them while we had the chance.
Auron leans in, his elbows resting on the table, and his head sits on his hands.
His weathered face scrutinises me. “Here’s the thing.
” He rubs his chin with his mangled fingers.
“I can’t just let you go. Not when two of my men are injured and calling for your blood.
Regardless of the situation, you attacked my men, which means you’re coming with us.
And I think Lord Adrian will want a word with you about your little friend, too. ”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” my voice cracks, all bravery sapped from my body. What do they know about Andi? Where have they taken Nia and Elana?
“We’re heading back to Zury today. The high lord will decide your fate.” He stands up, rolling his shoulders. He walks around the table to lean over me, spitting as he talks. The stench of his breath is overpowering, like rotten fish. Bile rises in my throat.
“And just between me and you, he knows no mercy.” Auron laughs as he walks towards the tavern door, and his men trail him. Like dogs following their master.
Someone hauls me from the bench by my arms, and his long fingernails break my skin. I bite my tongue to keep from yelping.
The guard pushes me forward with such force that I struggle to stay upright. Dragging me out of the tavern, my face is slammed against the door as they use my body to open it. I fall to my knees on the dusty road at the intensity of the shove. Horse’s feet stomp near my head, whinnying in fright.
A hand grabs hold of my arm and hauls me back to my feet, propelling me forward to a wagon at the end of the unit and tossing me in like a sack of produce.
I scramble to my feet to rush out, but before I can, the barred metal door is slammed in my face.
I sink to the ground beside an older man who lies unconscious on the floor.
The only prisoners they have sought to take, not the one they came for though.
Through a gap in the wooden panels, I catch sight of the cottage across the bridge, broken and battered, much like myself.
Will I see them again?
I lean my head against the bars, wanting nothing more than to beat my head against it repeatedly; knock this nightmare right out of me.
I need to find a way out and find them. Surely, they’ve been taken to Zury. Adrian is a smart man, if he wants Andi, one way to get her is to keep her family close. I try wriggling my hands out of their ties, but it’s futile.
Weak. Pathetic. Useless.
The horses speed up, and I collapse to the floor. Vendyl becoming a dot in the distance.
I never even got to say goodbye.