Page 25 of Shadows of Ruin (The Broken Prophecy #2)

Chapter 24

Ian

W arrick’s fist split my cheek open as spit flew from his mouth.

Fresh blood dripped down my cheek from his attack. His grin made me wish to the Fates I knew how to break free from the chains holding me in place so I could wipe it off with the heel of my boot.

“Not so tough now, are you?” He spit down at my feet.

I should be grateful he avoided doing so in my face this time.

Grinning back at him—at least I hoped it came across as a grin—pissed him off more. And that was before I spoke. “Unhook me from these bindings and let’s see who is tough.”

Crack.

His fist at my side snapped my rib. Again.

I’d lost track of how many times I’d been broken and healed. Warrick’s appearance provided a new way for Andras to get hours of additional revenge using the hands of others. Just another way he kept his hands mostly clean while allowing those with a vendetta to air their grievances.

“I didn’t know you enjoyed bondage, Warrick. Is that why none of your companions have stayed around long? ”

“Enough.” Andras’s voice echoed in the cell before Warrick landed his final blow to my bleeding lips. “Go clean yourself up.”

Warrick hit the side of my face playfully, bouncing on his toes, and smiled at me. “See you soon.”

Andras stalked in front of me. He tsked. “You could have made this easy on all of us, Captain.”

“Where’s the fun in that,” I hissed. I did my best to ignore the searing pain in my side. Breathing hurt, let alone talking. If things continued as before, he’d send for Maria in order to start with a fresh canvas again tomorrow.

“The time for games has come to an end. I grow weary of the violence, even if I do enjoy watching you squirm.” The same damn blade twirled in his hand again. He gripped the handle, stepping closer to me, and without warning slammed the tip into my side.

I couldn’t prevent the shout from escaping my lips. It burned. The pain not merely from the wound inflicted, but from whatever seeped into it.

I clamped my mouth shut, biting on my tongue to keep from crying out again until I tasted blood.

“Now, Captain,” he said, snickering, “I think we will have a much easier time together.”

He held the dagger firmly in my side, not saying anything else.

But I felt him. Those talons clawed at my mind. Using every last ounce of magic and strength left within me, I fortified the walls the talons so desperately tried to break down.

A sharp prick dug into me. Whether it was my mind or my body, I couldn’t be sure, but the pain radiated outward as I muffled my cry.

Andras laughed. “Not long now.”

A darkness developed around my vision. I had to fight this. Figure out a way to fight him. Separating myself from the physical pain was useless, because the pain was everywhere. The harder I tried to block out the physical pain, the more the talons pried, attempting to get into my mind.

Suddenly, just as had happened once before, someone else joined me behind the walls I so painfully constructed.

A female voice inside my head screamed.

“What’s happening?” The voice startled me, and I twitched. Andras still smiled, his focus not at all deterred by the voice I heard.

What the fuck? At least I hadn’t been wrong, and the presence I’d felt before wasn’t Andras and his mind magic.

Knowing that did nothing to calm my aching body and mind or understand how someone else managed to be inside of my head.

Perhaps the voice was merely my imagination, a response to the absolute agony my body endured this afternoon, or maybe I’d completely lost my mind.

“Ian?”

No, I hadn’t lost my mind yet. There was a distinct something else present. A female voice, by the sound of it. One I didn’t recognize. Someone was talking to me inside my head. Andras still didn’t seem any wiser as he continued to scratch at my mind, grinning his twisted smile.

That’s me, I answered, thinking it instead of speaking the words, because how else would one speak to someone within their fucking mind?

The scratch from the talon made the female voice groan. “What’s happening to you?”

I’m currently being tortured by an asshole. Apologies if it’s uncomfortable for you, whoever you are. Had I known you would be joining, I would’ve attempted to make this more hospitable for you.

Whoever was in here with me remained silent, but I could sense their indignant attitude. It almost made me smile.

She cursed as Andras managed to chip away at my mental wall, slowly crumbling the bricks I’d so carefully laid .

“Fight back,” she demanded.

Right, how stupid of me. Fight back. What do you think I’m doing? I don’t know how to stop mind magic.

She huffed, muttering under her breath.

A cooling sensation wrapped around my mind and the imminent threat of the talons lessened.

Stop it, I shouted at the female. What are you doing to me?

“Helping, you ungrateful prick,” she snapped.

Excuse me?

“Fates, I haven’t even met you and I already don’t like you.” The voice sounded annoyed but calm. Somehow reassuring, even through the insults . “That’s a first. Usually, I have to see a person before I automatically dislike them.”

Maybe I had lost my mind after all. Arguing with a voice in my head didn’t seem the best indicator for sanity. Although the strain against Andras’s attempts to access my mind had all but halted. I blinked, watching the look on his face fade from a smile to unadulterated rage.

He shoved the blade deeper into my side, and I cried out again.

“There’s a darkness seeping into your mind. He’s using something to make it easier to gain access.”

Yes, well, he’s currently digging a fucking knife into my side.

She stayed quiet, but the cooling sensation morphed into an overall numbness, as if Andras lost his pathway to gain entry into my head. “What I did should help for a little while, but you have to keep fighting. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to help you again.”

Great, thanks so much for the advice. Being in my head, talking to this mystery guest did help distract me from the pain. Compartmentalizing it was infinitely easier with the distraction. Who are you? How do you know who I am or about Andras’s mind magic?

“She didn’t mention you’d be a nitwit,” she sighed. “Obviously, I have mind magic as well. I understand how to use it. Clearly, since we’re talking in your mind. ”

That caught me off guard. It also immediately raised my defenses.

You didn't mention who you are. I hoped my voice sounded as cold as I intended.

“My name is Raya. I’m a…friend of Lana’s.”

I noted the hesitation.

Nope. I don’t think so. You can escort yourself out of my head. Now.

She scoffed. The sound skated down my spine. Like something in me enjoyed annoying this woman.

No, the sensation was merely a reaction to this impossible conversation.

“Lana wanted me to check on you. When we discovered I could enter your mind, we thought we’d try again. She is worried about you.”

Stop it. I winced as the physical pain crossed into my mental threshold. Don’t bother. If you’re with Lana, then you’re with the people who took her. She’d never leave willingly. Kade Blackthorn, Storm, whoever else has her somehow. I’m sure of it. And if you're with her, you’re with them. Leave me alone.

“You stubborn ass. You need my help or that torturer will break through and control you. Is that what you want?” A vague picture came into my mind of a woman with long, dark braided hair, pacing back and forth.

I shook the image away. She needed to leave. I’ve managed fine without your help so far.

“This is why I hate everyone.”

I said ? —

The figure stopped pacing. “Lana told me about her birthdays at Dukes Pub. About the year she danced on a table, and you played with the band.”

I stilled, both inside my mind and out. I didn’t know how Andras would interpret it. Fates, was she really safe? I didn’t know if I could trust this voice to tell me the truth if I asked.

Suddenly, I wasn’t in my mind anymore. I was back in the cell as Andras whipped the blade from me.

“Damn you,” he cried. “Your mental shield is strong, I’ll give you that, Captain. You won’t survive the next week though.” He unhooked me from the chains and left me in a heap on the cold stone floor. “Enjoy the new scar. You can match your precious princess. Oh, and don’t bother waiting for Maria. She won’t be coming.” Andras exited, slamming the cell door shut.

“Ian?” The voice bounced around my head. “ Ian?”

A little busy trying not to die right now, I muttered internally.

“Dramatic. If you’re conscious, you’re fine,” the voice said.

Ah, so if I pass out, will I get to stop talking to you ?

The figure formed again, this time crossing her arms.

“ I need to tell Lana something, and mentioning you’re being tortured in the dungeons doesn’t seem smart. She’s just starting to trust us .”

Is she safe? I couldn’t help but ask. I needed to know. Even if I couldn’t fully trust Raya’s answer.

“Of course she’s safe. You’re the one who isn’t.”

Will she stay safe?

This time the pause spoke volumes .

If you hurt her, I will find you. Hunt you. Kill you myself. No matter what aid you just provided.

“No harm will come to her at my hands. Or from my friends, who apparently are your friends as well. I can’t tell you anything in case that freakishly gangly man manages to break into your mind, but she’s with people who care about her.”

Not likely, I said, but some of my apprehension for her safety dissipated at her words anyway. I don’t trust you. You better be right about Lan though. She needs to get to Valeford. I’ll meet her there somehow. I will break free. She has to get there as soon as she can.

“She’s not going anywhere right now.”

I reminded myself there was reason enough not to trust this Raya woman. If Lana didn’t have the freedom to go where she pleased, how could she be safe?

This isn’t up for discussion. There’s something she needs to do for whatever is to come. Get her to Valeford, Raya, and pray nothing happens to her until I arrive .

“I won’t tell her what’s happening to you,” Raya whispered.

Good. Now get out of my head.

“Ian—”

Gathering my last ounce of strength, I shoved her out. Somehow cutting off her access to my mind. I prayed I hadn’t just fallen for one of Andras’s tricks, an illusion of a friend in a time of need. However, if other Fae were also gifted with mind magic, it was far from comforting knowing they could gain access to my mind so easily.

My body shook violently, out of control. Hopefully, I’d make it through the night.

No, I would last the night. I had no choice. Lana would get the message about Valeford.

Together, we’d find what she needed to take back her kingdom.

As my eyes closed, I heard a faint whimper, and a cold, wet nose pressed against my cheek. “Good boy,” I whispered, hoping it was Lucien, even if I couldn’t open my eyes to see him. “She’s safe. She’s safe and we’re going to go to her soon. I swear it.”