With its wooden panels and small window, the space could have been cozy if I weren’t so clearly a prisoner. I shake my head, clearing the fog from my brain, ignoring the dull ache behind my eyes. Whatever I’ve been given, it makes my brain cloudy, and between that and calming my breathing enough to not have another panic attack, I’m struggling to form a single thought. I’m also parched. My tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth, and my throat is scratchy, like I’ve been swallowing sand. What I’d give for a cup of water.
Sunlight reflecting off a polished black surface catches my attention. I squint toward a small table. What is that? I close my eyes almost immediately; the harsh light causes almost unbearable pain.
I bite down hard.You’re used to pain, Laïna. Stay focused.
When I look again, my eyes widen despite the pain it causes. It’s the shadowshard. Has it been placed there simply to taunt me? Whoever my captor is, they must be confident I won’t get ahold of it. I close my eyes again, struggling to push through the brain fog. How did this happen? All I can remember is falling asleep by the fire with Reü, and now this. Did they take Reü too? Is he being held captive like me? I blow out a heavy sigh. I shouldn’t have let him help me. With everyoneafter me, it would have been better to send him away. If he’s dead because of me... I don’t dare finish the thought.
What a way to repay him, Laïna.I close my eyes and send a silent prayer to whoever is listening thatIam what they want and that he should be left alone.
“Ah, you’re back.”
My head snaps toward the door at the sound of the familiar voice.
“It took you long enough,” Reü says, leaning against the doorway. His eyes, which were so caring last night, are now devoid of emotion.
My heart drops. My concerns for his safety were clearly unfounded. “What do you want with me?”
“You ran away. What do you think I want?” He’s twirling something between his fingers, but I can’t tell what it is from here.
“To bring me back?” At least that means he won’t kill me.
“We’ll see.” His smile is cold, calculating. “Although I must admit, I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. What they want withyou.” He doesn’t even bother to hide his disdain for me, and I wonder how it’s possible to be made to feel so worthless and yet be the very thing everyone seems to want a piece of at the same time.
“Human piece of shit,” he spits. His teal-blue eyes, hard and cold with disgust, bore into me, and despite my best efforts, tears well up and threaten to spill. I tug at the ropes to free my hands so I can dry them before he sees it, but it’s futile.
I want to kick myself. Considering all I’ve endured, how could I have been so foolish? So naive? Anger flares—at my stupidity, at his cruelty.
Burn him. Burn this life. Burn fucking everything.
I spit at his feet. “Fuck you!”
I should have seen it coming. The backhand leaves me gasping, and I spit again—to the side this time—as blood pools in my mouth.
“Behave,” he seethes. “Do not make this worse than it has to be.”
“How—”
“Dreamroot in the water,” he replies before I can finish my sentence, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips as if he’s proud of his achievement.
Dreamroot. That grows in Bronich. Dried as a powder, it holds no flavor at all, and it’s commonly used by people of all ages to aid with sleep.
“So, what are you getting out of this?” I ask. If I’m to escape, I need to keep my head calm. Be smarter than him.
“I am tired of being humiliated by my uncle,” he says, to my surprise. “By all of them.” He paces the room. “If they will not respect me, I will make them.”
I scoff at him. “I’ve seen your glyphs,” I say. “You’re not very powerful. I doubt they’ll let you near anything of importance, regardless of how hard you try.” I don’t know why I say it, other than wanting him to feel as low as I do, and based on his angry expression, I hit the mark.
“Who are you to speak, human scum? A powerless nothing?” He fixes me with a look of pure hatred. “What do you know about anything?”
Although he doesn’t truly want an answer, I can’t help myself. “I know that the moonborn, and especially the C’elen, although no one talks about it, follow a strict ranking system based on their strength with elen. I doubt whatever you do will change anyth—” The words die in my throat as his backhand slams into my jaw again, and I fight the urge to scream at the searing pain that splits my bottom lip.
“You’re wrong,” he says. “I have the one thing they want the most, and I will use you as a bargain.” He speaks with conviction, yet I’m unsure if he’s trying to convince himself or me.
“Sure,” I say. Despite the mix of blood and saliva dripping from my mouth, I push all my sarcasm into that one word.
He narrows his eyes at me, as if trying to figure out if I’m being honest or not, but at least he doesn’t hit me again.
“How long have I been asleep for?” I need to know how much time has passed if I’m to make it to Anam’gate in time. Although that seems to be the least of my troubles right now.
