Page 32 of Wraithwound

“You dare threaten me?” he growled.

“I’m not threatening you. I’m saving your life. She has worming sores,” Laney said.

When he didn’t answer, Laney continued, “You know, the virus that eats holes in your flesh? He said they believe she’s immune so they’ve put her here for Orvain, seeing as how they couldn’t keep her in the city’s dungeons.”

Lena heard the man back up a few paces.

“Vince told us that if we said anything, he’d put her in here with us,” Riley added. “And before you come back in here, think about what the High Priest will do to you if you touch his property. The guards have already let it slip that we’ll be next to warm his bed, and it’s no secret he likes a pretty face.”

Lena heard the door to her cell creak open again and the click of a lock.

A loud clang made Lena’s heart freeze. She guessed the guard must have pounded on the bars of the cell.

“And do you know what will happen to you after the High Priest is done with you? Maidens don’t usually last long in his quarters, with tastes as violent as his.” A pause. “No? Well, let me be the one to tell you. You’ll be fed to a wraith. That’s right. I’ve seen it. Those who survive it . . . Well, you can imagine. Your pretty face won’t matter then.”

He barked a laugh and started whistling before his footsteps retreated.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Lena couldn’t sit still any longer and stood, letting the loose rope around her wrists fall to the floor. She looked to Laney and Riley, who were still standing at the barred wall that separated their cells. Daring to approach, she moved slowly, deliberately, to avoid scaring them.

Laney gave her a small smile. Lena nodded in return, letting her see the gratitude on her face. Riley stared after the man.

“Can I help you with those?” Lena offered. Laney didn’t hesitate. She stepped towards her and lifted her wrists up to the bars.

“Laney, what are you doing?” Camille stood.

“I want these off,” she said simply, her reddish-brown hair falling over her shoulder as she turned back to Lena.

She looked exhausted, as if the ruse had taken it out of her. Lena reached through the bars and began loosening Laney’s ropes.

Laney stared at the tips of her fingers where her nails had once been but didn’t mention the healing skin.

“What are worming sores? Is that an illness common in Pirn?”

Laney laughed, her tired eyes lighting up. “No, I just made that up.”

Lena couldn’t help but smirk.

After Laney helped Riley and Camille out of their bindings, the women sat in silence for a while until Laney walked over to one of the trays of food.

“Are you hungry?” Laney asked her, offering a piece of bread through the bars.

Lena hesitated; there was just something about her that she couldn’t place. After a moment, she took it and sat. It was nice to eat in Laney’s company. Riley and Camille made their way over and sat near Laney to eat as well.

“Did you know?” Riley asked Camille and Laney.

“Know what?” Camille replied.

“Why they were taking maidens?” Riley asked.

Both women shook their heads.

“Yadisa was taken in the middle of the day, collecting samples at the river,” Camille whispered.

“It’s likely everyone in power is involved,” Riley said through gritted teeth.