Visla turned away from the prisoner, his jaw clenching before he controlled himself. ‘Roksana. I’m handling this.’
‘I’m requesting permission to assist you. I have a personal grudge with this one.’
I didn’t want to antagonise Visla. Boyan’s shadow was dangerous, and I already had too many enemies. He glanced at Boyan, his eyes narrowing slightly as an unspoken message passed between them.
‘The first one knew nothing, but this one… He was close with Jagon,’ Visla said. His voice was more strained than usual, as if providing me with the information undermined his already precarious position.
‘Is he, now?’ I said, taking a long, wicked-looking needle from the table and pulling a small vial from my belt. ‘Working with Jagon… Well, you’d be surprised how many people feel invincible after sheltering under his wing. Do you know whose task it was to break them of such silly ideas?’
I looked up from my task, catching the slight widening of my victim’s eyes before he spat at my feet, his chains rattling as he drew back. ‘I already revealed everything I know. The srebrec or fucking magical gates weren’t my assignment. Ask Tymon.’ Panic made his lisp worse, forcing him to stop and calm his breathing.
‘Oh, I will, but right now, I have you, and I want to hear everything you know. I won’t ask a single question,’ I said softly, playing with the needle. ‘You have one chance, and one chance only. Tell me everything you learned about Jagon, Mlot, and Tivala, no matter how insignificant.’
‘You’re insane if you think anyone would tell a lowlife like me anything.’
‘Tell? No, silly boy, but you have eyes and ears. Talk. Now.’ I continued to smile.
He paled, and the Grand Master sighed in resignation. ‘If he talks, spare him. At this rate, we’ll need to actively recruit new Mules,’ he said, playing into my hand.
I stepped closer and leaned towards the prisoner. ‘Still hesitating? If you’re afraid of Jagon, then ask yourself, why did he leave my home bleeding?’
‘Why? Because the fucker whispers your name in his sleep, that’s why.Nightshade… oh, Nightshade,’ he said, moaning my nickname before he sneered and spat at me again. ‘You, Jagon, the rest of you pox-ridden poisoners, you’re all the same toxic perverts. Just kill me and be done with it.’
His words, foul and outrageous, were like a slap in the face. My hand clenched into a fist, wishing I could strike him, but that would only give him control. ‘Kill?’ I huffed coldly. ‘Why would I kill you when I can make you scream, piss yourself, and beg for Veles’ mercy? How would you like to become a thrall to my will?’ I gathered my aether, pushing it forward, its emerald strands touching the man’s skin.
Magic, a novelty in the Brotherhood’s ranks, worked perfectly as an intimidation tool. He gasped, shrinking away from the invisible tendrils.That’s right, little boy. You can feel it, can’t you?The corner of my mouth lifted in a lopsided smile as I inadvertently rolled my eyes. I’d fallen into the role of shadow mage all too easily.
‘What are you…?’ he stuttered, swallowing hard, ‘You don’t understand. Jagon may be a sick arsehole, but he’s our only chance to survive what’s coming. We’re all dead if I snitch.’ He looked behind me, where Boyan sat observing. ‘You’d let her do this? Magic is not our way. It breaks the covenant.’
The chair creaked as Boyan stood up, his slow shuffling steps echoing in the room as he came closer. ‘You went behind my back, ignored the same covenant you claim I’m breaking, and you want me to stay the hand of my shadow mage? Someone who’s always been loyal to us… to me?’ Boyan gestured towards me. ‘Kill him if you must. Alive or dead, he will spill his secrets.’
The hope in the trader’s eyes died, like a candle blown out by the wind. I dipped the tip of my needle into the vial’s oily, swirling contents. Black henbane and Amanita fungi were powerful hallucinogens and, strengthened by my magic, would give the poor bastard an experience he’d never forget.
‘Jagon is a powerful figure, and if he’s working with Tivala, well… Let me show you who you should really be afraid of,’ I said, approaching the Mule. The Geas Ceremony had inspired my latest invention. A suggestion whispered into the victim’s mind that created a vision so vivid, so visceral, that it felt real. Guided by a stimulant to increase the heartbeat and my softly spoken words, I could make him feel anything I wanted. The simplicity of this torture made me feel like a monster, but at least his body would survive.
‘I know nothing, you crazy bitch.’
I pushed the needle into my victim’s flesh, releasing the toxin into his bloodstream. The pungent scent of henbane and atropa spread in the air. His pupils dilated when the potent poison took hold of his mind. He shook his head once, twice, and if not for the chains, he would have collapsed onto the floor when his legs buckled.
Slowly, trailing a finger under the man’s chin, I moved behind him and then bent to his ear, whispering a compulsion. ‘So hot… It burns – it burns so much. There’s no escape from the flames.’
My voice was barely audible, but the man’s back arched, and an inhuman howl tore from his throat. Boyan flinched in his chair, his brows furrowing as he observed the trader writhing inagony, trying to escape the imaginary fire. I let him experience the flames scorching his skin before I called on my aether, extracting the poison from his body.
He’d betrayed the Brotherhood and endangered us all by working with Jagon.This is justice. He deserves this punishment. I repeated the mantra in my mind, but my disgust at my actions refused to abate. I shook my head, swallowing the bile that filled my throat. ‘I can do it again and again. I promise I’ll break you.’
The tortured man howled like a cornered animal, scraping his wrists raw to get away from me. Sweat pooled under my collar when the metallic scent of blood assaulted my senses. I wished we’d had an inquisitor mage, but Boyan wouldn’t allow anyone outside his trusted circle to learn of Jagon’s betrayal… or his secrets.
You’re in it alone for the Brotherhood and this broken kingdom, Sana.
Everyone in the Brotherhood had long since made peace with death, but an endless cycle of pain would break even the toughest soul. Jagon had taught me well, and I recognised the change in the trader’s expression, telling me I’d won. He was more afraid of me than of death. I knew it because I had seen the same terror in the mirror too many times to count.
‘You’re a monster.’ My victim panted, echoing my inner thoughts, flinching when I reached out again.
I shrugged. ‘Aren’t we all, in a way?’
He jerked against his restraints, sweat beading his hairline, eyes following my every movement with hawk-like focus.
‘Let’s try something new.’ I pulled out another needle, one coated in hemlock. This time, there would be no illusion; his lungs would actually fill with fluid. ‘After so much fire, you need water. How about a little light drowning…’
