AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Shit,’ Kallum says from behind me as we watch the guard clap iron manacles around her wrists and ankles, readying her for transport to Alcana’s dungeons. ‘A human murderer in this fucking city? She’ll be dead by morning if we don’t do something.’
CHAPTER FOUR
I wake with a jerk that makes an involuntary groan of pain erupt from deep within my chest. Images flash before me of being carried like a sack of meal over some City Guard’s shoulder after Dane got me with his magick, of arriving in a dark room where some of them were waiting. It’s vague, but I can remember snippets of being mocked and beaten while I was in and out of consciousness. My arms curl around my middle as I remember their vicious punches and kicks. I seem to recall a cudgel or a cane after that before I passed out for good.
I blink slowly in the low light, taking in the rotten straw I can feel under me and the damp smell. I ignore the rats I can just see darting around and the glowing pair of eyes in a cell across from mine that are staring at me.
I try to move, but my body feels as if it’s been through a meat grinder. I can blame the City Guard for that, but it’s also courtesy of Dane and the powerful jolt he gave me when he recognized me. It was like he was trying to swat a fly with a broadsword. I suppose the silly dreams of us putting the past to rest were slightly unrealistic, but I didn’t think he’d just attack me.
I owe him for that. Finally, a debt I’m going to enjoy repaying.
I reign in the dark thoughts that are taking me down a familiar path. That way only has one destination, and I can’t let that happen here.
I take in more of my surroundings. I’m in the city dungeon, obviously. I’m chained. I look down at myself. My oversized uniform is gone, and in its place is a sack with three holes cut into it for my head and arms. The tattered hem reaches to my knees. Beneath it, I have nothing on at all, and my lip curls at the thought of whatever jailor got an eyeful of the evil human’s body while he was changing me … and who probably copped a feel while he was at it, too.
Seven years of no killing, no hurting anyone. I sigh. But some actions can’t be ignored. Even I have my limits, and there are ways around my vow.
I’ve got more bruises, too. I’m peppered with them, but I don’t think anything’s broken besides the ribs from the other day. It looks like they continued to work me over even after I was unconscious, though.
Someone’s going to pay for that, as well. I’d love to blame The Cunty Trio who unmasked me, but it’s not really their style, and I definitely remember flashes of the City Guard’s red uniforms.
I frown. One little mistake with a troll, and the debts are already starting to stack up. I wonder how long I’ve been here.
‘What are you in for?’ Glowing Eyes rumbles.
‘Murder.’ I hesitate. ‘And being human, I suppose. You?’
‘Murder, too,’ he laughs. ‘But not being human. Bad luck.’
I nod in commiseration.
‘First time in a dungeon, girly?’
I snort. ‘Not really. You?’
‘Not really,’ he grins, sitting back on his haunches.
I try to stand, using the iron bars to pull myself up once I’ve worked out that there’s no one in the cell next to mine. My chains clank as I slowly make my way over to a cup of water by the locked door, but as I pick it up, my new dungeon friend leans forward.
‘I wouldn’t unless you want to spend the next day and night shitting through the eye of a needle.’
I pause, looking into the cup. It looks and smells like water. I glance at Glowing Eyes.
‘First drink is always poisoned. Lire likes to break our spirits quickly. Fewer problems that way.’
I put the cup down, grunting when the movement hurts.
‘They battered you well before you came in, girly. Lire did the rest while he was ripping off your clothes.’ Glowing Eyes licks his lips at the thought. ‘Quite the show. Best day I’ve had here for a while, that’s for sure.’
‘I’ll bet,’ I mutter, not letting my shiver materialize.
I lean against the bars to get a better look at my dungeon-mate. His hair is long and dark. It hangs around his face in clumps. His face and limbs are twisted and the wrong shape, like he half-shifted once and got stuck that way.
‘I’ll make a deal with you,’ I say, an impulsive idea coming to me quickly.
He snorts. ‘For what? Your cunt? My cock might be large, but I don’t think it’s long enough to reach you over there, girly.’
‘I won’t be in here for long.’
