Because we’ve had such an influx of prisoners, the cells quickly became overrun with occupants. It became clear we would need to create more cells to accommodate them, and Silas decided they should be the ones to build their own space. This was the catalyst for him to finally place me in charge of the guards, who were in charge of keeping the prisoners on task when building new wings in the dungeon.
It took years to dig two new wings branching off the original hall of the dungeon. Most of the prisoners actually enjoyed having something to do, and it saved a lot of them from Silas’ enjoyment of discovering new torture techniques. Now, there are three wings of cells fully finished, and Silas has a bloodlust he won’t quench with the need to fill them.
Stephen and I took advantage of the confusion caused by all of the building. We were able to carve out a secret tunnel, leading to the outside of the castle walls, so we’re able to help people escape without him realizing they’re gone.
Glancing up from his bedroll, Stephen offers me a smile. Without saying a word, I hand him a bag of herbs and some parchment, and he gets to work writing a letter to one of our contacts on the outside. Once finished, he sets up the spell to send the parchment. I really wish I had known how to do this back when I needed to send a letter to Cecily’s parents. My knowledge of magic has greatly changed over the years.
While my knowledge has grown and expanded, it’s becoming apparent all those around me are losing their knowledge of how to embrace their gifts. Even Silas has been pulling away from using all of the natural elements such as herbs and fungi, to rely solely on his blood magic. If he was going to forget a form of magic, I wish it was the one involving blood... maybe someday.
With the letter sent, Stephen leans back against the wall finally relaxing again. “He should have everything we need ready to be picked up when our guide drops off those who are escaping this month. Don’t lose faith, my friend, maybe he’s found a new method to try and wake your lady love.” Stephen, more than anyone else, has seen the toll Cecily’s absence has cost me. At least I’m able to escape, to be with her each night on her adventures.
“I don’t know, Stephen. It’s been a century, if there was something I could do to put her soul back in her body, I’m sure I would’ve found it by now. I’m starting to believe there’s something bigger at play. I’m bothered by this nagging intuition that I’m missing something obvious. Who knows, maybe this is some kind of punishment for having been so blind to what Silas was doing for so long.” Leaning against the wall next to the door, I lay my head back, finally able to relax for a moment.
We’ve had this conversation before, and like the other times, Stephen gives his same answer, “You need to keep your faith. She’s your Fated Mate, the powers that be would never have given her to you, if you weren’t meant to live a life together.” He holds up a hand to stop me from speaking. “Yes, I know Silas forced your mark, but she’s still your mate, and they knew one day you’d be together. Hold strong, my friend, your time will come.”
As much as I hate to admit it, his words do raise my spirits. “Silas should be finishing up with his newest capture soon. When he leaves the dungeon for the night, I’ll come back to get you so you can help calm them down.” Stephen nods his head, used to the routine we’ve picked up on new arrival day.
Whenever there’s a new arrival, Silas likes to get his first taste of their blood. He determines how strong their magic is, apparently he can tell how strong it is by the tingle on his tongue as he swishes their blood in his mouth. A disturbing experience to be around when he does it, especially when the individual is particularly strong and he begins to moan and starts slurping right from the source.
Afterward, Silas welcomes them with a torture session. He enjoys being the first one to hear the sounds of their screams, and test just how much they’ll endure before giving the sound up. While he’s doing all of this, I gather supplies for Stephen to use to help heal them internally and take away the pain from external wounds. We can’t help in healing them, or Silas will go even further in his next session with the individual. We learned that one the hard way.
When Stephen is done helping them heal, he’ll tell them all about their options and what they can expect life to be like. The whole process is emotionally draining. We both feel responsible for each and every prisoner here, but our mission is greater than being found out to help one single batch of prisoners escape.
Exiting his cell, I make my way to Silas’ spell room, where he performs all of his torturing and blood extractions. Sure enough, he’s still at work with the individual. She looks about to pass out with the extent of how much pain she has handled so far. Catching sight of me, her eyes widen in shock as if she recognizes me. It’s happened a few times, and oddly enough those are the people who always choose to leave this world behind.
Not wanting to pay attention to what’s going on in front of me, I let my focus fade out, until my favorite memories of Cecily play out in front of my eyes, instead of what’s actually happening. Learning how to deal with Silas’ special brand of fun has been a learning curve to be sure.
I don’t pay attention to Silas until he throws the tool he uses to rip out fingernails against the wall. Picking up a rag to wipe off his hands, he finally turns to me. “Take her to a cell, this one has been particularly fun, probably safe to say she’s my new favorite. I may come back to play with her some more in the morning.” With those parting words, he strides from the room and leaves for the night, knowing I’ll get his newest prisoner to her cell.
His favorites never seem to last long at all and are too dangerous to help escape. My heart sinks, knowing there’s nothing we can do to help her. I should tell Stephen to not waste his time... although we could help with her pain, so maybe I shouldn’t. When will this nightmare be over?
Unchaining her from the wall, I gently lift her body into my arms before making my way to an open cell. When we get in the small space, she lifts her head up like she has all the energy in the world and wasn’t just tortured for hours. “What are you doing here, Marcellus?”
Taken aback by the vehemence in her tone, and the fact she knows my name, I glance at her with sharper eyes, taking in everything I can about her appearance. I’ve never had anyone come in here who knows my name. “Do I know you?” I question her.
She peers down at her nails and watches them grow back, as I watch all of her wounds close up, before she snaps her fingers and is suddenly cleaned head to toe as if the past few hours never happened. I know for a fact, Silas forces each of his victims to drink the tea, stripping them of their magic, so how is she able to wield it right now? Not even Cecily, the heir to our people, was able to wield magic after drinking the tea.
Peering up at me through her eyelashes, she says, “You don’t seem like yourself, something’s different about you, I can’t quite put my finger on what it is though…” Something’s off with this girl. She gets tortured for hours and acts like everything is just fine?
“How were you able to use your magic?” I question her, if she has a way to null its effects that could be vital information.
Finally staring up from her new nails, she inspects me from head to toe. “Huh, my mistake. I thought you were someone else. How interesting…” Tapping a finger to her lip she seems to mull over whatever thought just came to her mind.
“A mistake? You called me by name. How did you know my name?” I really don’t like the way she’s scrutinizing me.
Jumping up from the bedroll I placed her on, she circles around me. “I’m here searching for a friend, her name is Cecily. She came here a long time ago to meet her mate. You wouldn’t know her, would you?”
It takes everything within me to keep any expressions from showing up on my face. Hearing her name on a stranger’s lips... I’ve questioned every person who has come through here to see if they remember who she is, and none of them remember anything about the royal family, aside from them having gone missing.
Why is she here now? A century after everything happened. Folding my arms across my chest, I don’t say a word. She still hasn’t answered any of my questions. Upon seeing my resolve, she rolls her eyes and sits back down, crossing her legs at the ankles, before an apple appears in her hand and she bites into it.
“I could be a friend, or an enemy. The choice is yours, just know I’ll kill anyone who hurt my best friend, including you.” As if I would trust someone with information about my love... although she does know her name... nope, not doing it.
“I suggest you get some sleep, he’ll come for you first thing in the morning. Oh, and healing yourself was a mistake, he’ll punish you for it tenfold.” I walk out of her cell and lock the door when it closes. Maybe she’ll give me more answers tomorrow. Cecily’s protection comes first, I won’t be tricked into giving up information about her.
∞∞∞
The moment I open her cell for Silas in the morning, I’m surprised to find all of her wounds back in place, appearing like she’s curled up in pain. I know it’s all an act when she gives me a wink behind Silas’ back. Something isn’t right with this girl.
