Page 27

“Let the witch be,” one of the guards says around his food.

“I won’t hurt her,” Arwin grunts.

“She might end up turning your prick into a toad,” another one says, and they all laugh.

“You heard the brief; she doesn’t have much magical ability to speak of.” Arwin looks down at me. “If you had any magic,you’d have used it by now, witch. I have a little magic to use on you.” He winks, laughing cruelly.

As always, my power is there but just out of my reach. After using my well earlier, it will take time to refill. Time I don’t have.

“Come, girl,” Arwin says, dragging me.

I start screaming and fighting in earnest. I claw the side of his cheek, kicking at his legs.

Arwin’s eyes go wide as my nails open his flesh. He roars, pulling back a meaty fist.

“Stop!” someone says in a booming voice from the opening of the cave.

It’s the lord. His eyes are wide and blazing. His hands are fisted at his sides. He looks angry. Nostrils flaring and red-cheeked.

“Lord Ondine.” Arwin lets me go.

I move away, pressing myself against the cold stone of the cave wall, shuffling away from Arwin. My chest is rising and falling in quick succession.

“What is the meaning of this?” Ondine asks in a booming voice. “You will leave the witch be. We were instructed to bring her in…that is all.”

“And we will bring her in, my Lord. She’s headed for the brothel, anyway. I may as well break her in now…surely.” Arwin laughs, leering at me. “I will pay her for her trouble if it makes you feel better.”

“I don’t want your money,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Be quiet, witch,” Arwin growls at me.

“We are not animals,” Ondine says, narrowing his eyes. “This is not how we conduct ourselves. If she ends up working in the brothel, you can pay just like any other. Forcing ourselves on females is not the way of the fae guard.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Arwin inclines his head. “I’m sorry, witch.” He gives me a half apology that I know he doesn’t mean. “I meant no harm.” All lies. I can see it in his eyes.

Bastard!

This is why I left Alaric when I did. This is why I wanted to break from him. This kind of cruel treatment led me to the decision. Most are not as bad as Arwin, but not by much. They don’t see me as a living, breathing creature with feelings. I am a witch. An animal. Actually, I think that their animals are treated better than we are…the humans, too. It’s wrong. I know it stems from fear because we are different, but it is no excuse.

“You can guard the horses,” the lord tells Arwin, whose face falls. “Someone will relieve you…eventually.” He gives the brute a taunting look that begs the guard to defy him. The fae nods, accepting his fate. Then he leaves the warm and safe confines of the cave to take up vigil with the horses.

“You can sit here, witch,” one of them tells me. Much to my dismay, he points at an empty patch of ground directly next to one of the other fae men.

I do as instructed, since I don’t want trouble.

“Hungry, witch?” one of them asks me.

I’m desperate to tell him to go to hell, but my stomach growls again.

“Yes…I am,” I admit.

He gives me a scrap of bread, and I mumble my thanks, eating it in two bites.

Another fae hands me a waterskin, and I drink greedily, giving him a nod as I hand it back.

Ren drops a bedroll next to me, together with a blanket. “Don’t even think of attempting escape. We’ll let Arwin hunt you down, and I can’t guarantee what he’ll do when he finds you.”

I can guess just fine.