“Dion!”
Blood began to pour out of him. His wounds reopened. He turned pale. But there was nothing I could do, because even I felt–
…I awoke slowly, my body heavy and sore. Pain everywhere. Cold wind caressed my cheeks. I was sleepy…lethargic and—something holding me—panic flooded my mind—then… sleep…
This time I awoke with a snap!
Something had woken me. I looked around urgently. Faces. Hundreds of faces. Snarling and laughing. Jeering. A haunting siren…
I was back in the temple.
Horrified, I saw Dion trussed up next to me. Both of us were bound to stakes upon the altar within the center of the temple. Gathered around us were the men-like creatures that had stormed us with the merls.
But it wasn’t a merl that sung the deathly dirge. Perched upon the wall was a Siren Singer. Its hideous membrane wings spread wide. It tasted the air for fear with a forked tongue.
The men jeered and laughed again as Dion awoke. He ripped at his bonds and then snapped to attention, looking at the Singer and growling. He looked and found me then. “Feyra!”
“Are you okay?” I asked.
His bleeding had stopped, but his wounds still looked raw and painful.
He didn’t reply.
The creatures began parting, someone was coming through. The sea of black opened and closed around the individual until they appeared before us, a long flowing black gown and pale skin.
Agatha pouted. “Surprised?”
“You!” Dion said.
I couldn’t say anything, I was confused.Agatha?
“Does it hurt?” she asked. “Betrayal?”
I still couldn’t fathom it. My heart was empty, my stomach somersaulting.She was dead. I’d buried her hand. I’d given her a funeral. I had her bracelet. I loved her like a sister.
I loved her…
She walked over to Dion, who was baring his teeth, straining at his bonds. His muscles were enormous, I expected him to break free. His naked body was a coiled spring. But she clicked her finger and he flung backwards! Slamming against the stake and his arms and legs extending beyond.
She purred, climbing upon the altar. “He really is a beautiful specimen. Shame really.” She looked at me, winked, and stroked his penis. “I bet it was good.”
I growled, wanting to break free of my bonds and break her. Blind fury flooded me. Betrayal screaming in my veins. I went berserk. I couldn’t fathom what had happened, or what she was doing,why she was doing it?It was only made worse by her laughter.
“Why?” I finally uttered. “When?”
Agatha pretended to think. “Hmmm, let’s see… When I was never the illegitimate daughter of a merchant.” She grinned. “You’re so naive Feyra.”
“Naivety is far better than treachery,” Dion spat.
Agatha smiled, then crooked her head, his arms extended further back and he screamed.
“We always knew there were still werewolves in Lassig. How else did one get in and cause such trouble in the Hall? But then, you would know all about that, your Aunt Teetee was such a prominent member in the Elders.”
I couldn’t hide the surprise on my face. I went lose in the bonds. What else had been kept from me?
“I enjoyed killing her,” she said.
I raged again—but was now bound myself. I strived to kill her. To throttle her skinny throat, but I couldn’t move!
