“Let me pass,” I repeated, pushing myself between them.
Only to have him yank me back with a brutal grip on my hair.
Anger flared hotter than my fear for a moment. I drove my knee hard into his groin and shoved him away. He cursed, releasing my scalp, but I had barely moved a step before hands seized me and pinned me against a solid chest.
“You won’t be doing that again,” the bald one snarled, keeping me locked in place. “Zarren won’t be pleased.”
I tried to wrench myself free, to put distance between myself and the stranger at my back, but it was useless.
The one called Zarren stalked toward me, grimacing. His voice was tight as he sneered, “You’re a wild one, aren’t you, human?”
The sharp sting of a slap tore across my cheek. The force made my head snap to the side.
My skin burnt, throbbing. Shock clamped down on my chest. I caught his spiteful smirk, noticing the heavy rings glinting on each of his fingers.
“For every stupid thing you do, we’ll give you something to regret. Understand, luv?” Zarren said, stepping closer. He gripped my face, his fingers digging painfully into my jaw. “Now tell me. What’s a pretty human like you doing in Erisea? Who brought you here?” He leaned in. “Are you someone’s pet?”
Revulsion twisted in my gut, and I spat directly into his face, striking his nose.
Anger bubbled within me as I tried again to break free from the bald one’s hold, but he pressed me tighter. My feet stumbled beneath me.
There was no chance of freeing myself by sheer strength. This was real, not a nightmare. It was happening, and I was trapped.
Zarren wiped his nose with a grimace, then smeared his fingers on the waist of my dress, his nostrils flaring.
“Filth,” he muttered, backhanding me again, harder this time. One of his rings slashed my cheek, carving a searing line of pain. I felt warmth trickling down my face, mixing with the cold rain.
Vile prick.
Zarren exchanged a glance with the bald one restraining me, the grip around me shifting to my neck, making it harder to breathe. I clawed at his forearm, fighting to loosen his chokehold.
“We’re late to meet the others,” muttered the shorter one standing a few steps away, but the other two ignored him.
“That’s a pretty dress you’ve got on,” Zarren remarked, lifting the hem just above my ankles.
I yanked the fabric back, shouting, “What do you want?”
He ignored my demand, his gaze drifting to the soaked sleeve. “Not a cheap dress, either,” he continued, fingers toying with the wet fabric. “You must belong to someone with large coffers.”
“Get your hands off me!” I said, trying to shove him. Anger and fear sent my pulse racing wildly.
The arm around my throat tightened, wrenching my head back until all I could see was Zarren’s lingering gaze. I gasped, struggling with the breath caught in my chest. The bald one twisted one of my arms behind me, forcing it awkwardly against his chest. I winced at the pressure on my wrist.
“What do you want to do with her?” the bald one asked. He reeked of something foul.
Fear was crawling its way into a cold desperation up my spine, but I stopped myself before uselessly begging them to let me go. Whatever little courage I had left was draining, the sting on my cheek throbbing similarly to the hammering in my chest.
I dug my nails into his arm until I drew blood.
“Bitch,” he hissed.
Zarren grabbed my hand, snatchingit away from his minion’s arm, twisting it cruelly until I whimpered in pain.
“Stop, or we’ll make it worse,” he warned.
I stilled, pressing my lips together to avoid another sound.
Think. Think.
