“Do you have a phone?” I asked.
Keil pulled away from me and handed me his phone. I dialed the number and told the alarm company that it had been a false alarm. I handed the phone back to Keil.
“Happy, warrior?”
“No, if you placed even one hand on Emma, I will string you up by your guts as soon as we reach Terra.”
“Is that what you did in your kingdom? I heard that your kingdom of Tolston had fallen. What a shame that all those warriors couldn't defend their own kingdom from the darkness of corruption. What apity.”
“Your words do not cut me like a knife. Speak if you will, but know it’s wasted breath.” He moved to the door, opened it, then shut it behind him. Although he wanted to kill me, I was sure, I liked Keil—he had a strength to him, probably the only one in Emma’s group, other than my brother, who could best me in a fair fight. A few minutes later, I was greeted by Ryker. He didn't waste any time coming over and hitting me repeatedly in the head. Eight times to be exact. And by that time, I had given up on the possibility of keeping my clothing even somewhat presentable for when I would arrive on Terra. I also gave up on the idea of telling him about his vengeance for Emma’s parents being completed. He didn't deserve that peace.
I heard a few shouts but couldn't see because blood covered my vision. I laughed into the floor. I guess I was laying down, face first. I felt the cold floor against my face for a few moments; then blackness found me, like it always did.
Chapter twenty
My legs and hands ached from the bands that held me to the chair I was sitting in. My face, although dry, felt sticky as I moved my mouth, and I wondered if I was still covered in blood. I looked around the room, noticing books and papers strewn about. The light of a lamp was near a large window. Whispers were coming from behind the door, and I tried to make out what was being said, but I couldn't. The door opened, and in walked Keil and Ryker.
Great,my two most favorite people in all the universe—not.
“Good evening to you two. Please, have a seat,” I said, nodding to the chairs beside the table.
“I think you are confused,” Keil said. “Ryker, you hit him too hard,” Keil said looking at the angry knight.
“This must be my new room—I might have to complain to the owner about the accommodations. It looks roomy enough, but I am not so sure I enjoy this, being tied to the chair, bit—I mean, whatever strikes your fancy—but consent is important in this country, and I for—”
Ryker punched me in the face again. That was expected. Irritating him was way too much fun, and his reactions were incredibly predictable. I wondered how different he would be if he’d let his soul out. I laughed as I looked at Keil who gazed at Ryker. I still wondered what secrets the knight was keeping, for that could be the only reason someone would go to such great lengths to shield a soul.
“I obviously didn't hit him hard enough,” Ryker smirked.
“Is that really necessary?” Keil said.
“You heard him. How else in the realms am I going to get him to stop talking,” Ryker said with a chuckle. I was sure that his violence toward me was payback for our time together in the cave, where I had used the corruptor’s blade on his flesh. It was a tad cruel, but at the time, I thought it would be my only way to get answers. So Imayhave deserved his wrath.
“Well, take the crystal; let's see what we can do with it.” Keil walked up to me and watched as Ryker unclasped the necklace from my neck. It wouldn't help them, of course. The crystal was just a useless trinket at that point, nothing but a rock.
“It’s useless,” I said, looking toward Keil.
“Don't listen to him; he doesn't want the soul extracted,” Ryker snapped.
“Fine—waste your time—but I am serious; the melody is inside me with or without that crystal.” Ryker looked to Keil, whose posture slumped in defeat.
“We can still try,” Keil said, sitting down. Ryker walked over to him and watched as he seemed to poke and prod at the rock. He scanned it—prayed over it to the Ancients, anything he could think of, and of course, as I had told them, nothing worked.
By morning’s first light, I had only been able to sleep for a few hours, on and off. The light that Keil kept on was not particularly pleasant on my eyes, as I had a rather irritating headache, which could be a direct result of the blood loss or from the punches to my jaw. I didn't want to give Ryker that kind of power, so I called it bloodloss. There was a crick in my neck from my head being forced to the side, and my head rested uncomfortably upon my shoulder. All the pain was more than bearable. I had been through much worse. I awoke just as Keil rested his head on the table.
“Are you going to tell her, or am I?” Keil asked with a sigh.
“I will tell her,” Ryker answered, taking the necklace and tucking it inside his pocket.
“Ah, remind her that she still has me, even after my dear brother is dead and buried. Though it might be best to wait a bit—you know, let the death sink in a little first.”
“Can you gag him? I think he most definitely should be gagged,” Ryker said to Keil, ignoring me.
Keil nodded with a smile. “Yes, I can do that, gladly.”
“I take offence to that. I thought you were the nice one, Keil,” I said as he wrapped a gag through my mouth.
“I am a warrior. We are not nice by nature. However, I am sure Ryker would rather behead you.”
