When Benn unlatched the lock and the door creaked open, I saw a dark, looming figure pacing back and forth. More like shuffling, however, considering his feet were shackled in the same cuffs that adorned his wrists.
The horde king’s red eyes glowed in the darkness. Those eyes promised pain, even though his expression was cold and impassive, revealing nothing.
He stilled when we entered, straightening to his full height. Even I could see the way that made Benn pause and scan the length of the chain, just to ensure it was still attached to the stone loop on the table.
He relaxed when he saw it intact, though his gaze then went to the wound on the horde king’s chest. To my astonishment, I saw that it was already healing over. When I looked at his legs, it looked like the wounds there had been healing for close to a week, not a single night.
His strength seemed to have returned. His body was healing. I saw Benn process this information just as quickly as I had.
The horde king’s eyes narrowed on me before they flicked to Benn, who I hovered behind.
“How long do you think you can keep me here,vekkiri?” the horde king asked. “How long do you think these chains will hold me?”
His words made Benn pause but he covered it quickly with, “Do not think to trick me, Dakkari. I know what those are made of. Blackened steel, yes? The strongest substance on this planet and unbreakable by any beast.”
“Whoever told you that,” the horde king started, “is wildly misinformed.”
My heart throbbed. The chains could be broken? Had the witches told us a lie? Or did they simply not know?
Or was the horde king bluffing? It was possible he wanted to get under Benn’s skin, make him doubt what he’d been told.
“Not only that,vekkiri, but my horde will be searching for me,” the Dakkari male said. “Tirelessly. They already know that I am gone. And they will slaughter every living soul who had a hand in my capture.”
His eyes cut to me then. Seemingly on purpose.
Benn noticed and he hid his trepidation at the horde king’s words with disguised glee as he said, “Oh, do you recognize her then?”
The horde king’s expression darkened.
Lowering my gaze, I looked down to the floor. I realized then why I’d been summoned here. Benn wanted to see how the horde king would react to my presence. To see if I could be used further.
The horde king didn’t rise to the bait. Instead he bit out, “If what yourwitchthere says is true and we are under the Dead Mountain…”
I felt the blood physically drain from my face, saw the way Benn’s head cut to me at the words. Swallowing hard, I bit my lip to keep it from trembling.
“…then know that my horde will figure out a way to reach me. It is only a matter of time.”
Without another word, Benn left the room, pushing me out into the hallway. Jacques caught my arm before I fell to the floor as Benn shut the door firmly, latching it once more.
“What’s wrong?” Jacques asked, though I knew he suspected since he must’ve heard the brief conversation.
Benn’s hand lashed out and a burst of light flashed in my vision. I fell to the floor, my knees scraping against the stone. When the side of my face began to throb, I cupped it. I tasted blood and realized I’d been biting my lip when Benn struck me.
“Who let her inside with him?” Benn growled.
Jacques swallowed. “You—you said to let her tend to him. She cleaned his wounds.”
“She spoke to him,” Benn said. “And like the fool she is, she told him where we are!”
Jacques was breathing heavily but he kept his voice calm, trying to defuse the situation. “It doesn’t matter, Benn. They can’t move through the fog like we can. It’s all right.”
Benn cursed, raking a hand through his hair. “His horde is not far away. What if they do manage to find the other entrance? The Ghertun made tunnels all over these lands!”
“And the fog covers most of them. And if the witches don’t hurry, their only entrance will be blocked soon too,” Jacques reminded him. “We’ve had scouts watching his horde. They’ve sent warriors into the fog searching for him, but they return quickly. They’ll never reach us. They don’t have the strength to.”
Kneeling on the stone floor, I watched a drop of my blood drip onto the floor. I didn’t dare move. Everyone knew Benn’s temper was legendary. It was best to let him calm down without drawing his attention.
Luckily, Jacques’ words seemed to soothe Benn’s sudden fears.
