Page 2

“Come on!” the guard says as he drags me away, his fingers digging into my flesh.

He pulls me down the hallway that leads to the servants’ quarters. By now, I can barely lift my feet. I feel like my limbs have been weighted down by rocks. I do my best to keep up.

After a time, I realize that the guard is leering at me.

“What?” I frown.

“I would pay for a tumble with you,” he says, smirking. “You should pick the brothel when you are asked to choose. I’ve never bedded a witch before. I have heard tales.” He scratches his chin, his eyes glinting.

“You’ll never bed me. I’d sooner die.”

His face turns red, and his jaw tightens. “You think you’re too good, witch? That your cunt is too good for the likes of me?”

“Yes,” I blurt. “You stink like a swine with a—”

He backhands me hard enough to send me reeling, but not so hard as to leave a mark. I hit the wall, seeing stars for a second as my knees give in, and I crumple to the ground onto my already bruised knees. I hate being this damned weak. I hate that I was captured. That no one from my coven has come for me. If Lydia or Willow had been taken in my place, they would have… No! I can’t think like that. It’s too dangerous, and so I can’t blame them.

“Up,” he growls, dragging me to my feet. Then he laughs in my face. “So, destined for the mines, then. You won’t last six moon cycles. Mark my words.”

“I’d rather die than lie with the likes of you, fae. Empty at that. So useless you need me to—”

“You should keep your mouth shut while I still have my temper in check. Any more out of you, and I won’t hold back when I strike you again. I might accidentally break something, and without the use of your magic, you wouldn’t be able to heal yourself. You’d die quickly underground. That’s for sure.”

I hate them, these bastard fae. Especially the empty bastards. It’s not my fault they can’t access their magic. Although I know all too well how that feels. I’m only one or two notches above them.

I start walking with more energy this time. I have barely taken three steps when I am almost knocked onto the ground again when someone is thrown from one of the rooms, landing on the floor at my feet with a hard thud.

“Don’t come back!” a woman yells. I recognize her voice since she’s a fellow witch. Her name is Rhiannon, a witch with hair as red as the flames of a blazing hearth. She stands in the doorway, her eyes bright with anger. They’re locked on the man at my feet.

By now, he has lifted himself onto his elbows. His eyes are blue; they flicker with mischief. Not bad looking for a human.

Not that I’m interested. How did that thought even creep into my mind?

I have neither the strength nor the inclination for such a dalliance. I haven’t so much as thought about sex in years. Perhaps it’s because I’m going to be sent to the mines soon. At this rate, it is a given. The bastard guard is right; I’ll be dead well within a year. It’s depressing.

The scoundrel at my feet jumps up in one fluid motion that is impressive…for a human.

The guard shoves me forward, but I can’t tear my gaze away from the scene unfolding. Rhiannon moves her eyes to minefor a brief moment before dismissing me completely. Again, something I am used to.

Then she slams the door so hard I’m sure that the wall will crack.

“Get going, girl!” The guard pushes me. “And you!” he yells at the human. “Get back to your quarters…now! This section is out of bounds. It houses witches only.”

“Right away,” he says in a voice that is so deep it sends shivers up and down my spine. “My sincerest apologies.” He inclines his head at the guard, who seems placated.

I start walking before the guard pushes me again; he has to take a few big steps to catch up.

“You’d better get some sleep, witch! If you don’t make quota, it’s to the mines with you.” He laughs. “I’d start packing if I were you.”

I ignore him, my back prickling. I’m sure that the human is watching us leave. I want to turn back to check, but I don’t.

Who is he?

I’ve never seen him before.

What is he doing messing with Rhiannon?

I’m too tired to care. As soon as I reach my tiny quarters, I go inside, shutting the door in the guard’s face. Without bothering to undress, I lie down on the small bed. The mattress is hard, and the blanket is threadbare. I am asleep in seconds as exhaustion takes over, the human all but forgotten.