Is that the play? One of them is the bad guy while the other is supposed to give me a sense of comfort? When I finally have no other choice but to beg?
No matter.
I’m not giving up.
“Lift her higher,” the man says, looking at his partner. “She’s getting too comfortable.”
The woman hesitates only for a beat before pulling on the chain. A desperate yelp escapes my lips as I’m hoisted higher into the air. My toes are nowhere close to the ground, the pressure on my shoulders and wrists only intensifies. My arms tremble, muscles refusing the keep the tension.
I bite the inside of my cheek and breathe through the pain.
I will endure.
“Are you ready to give us some names now?” The man cocks his head to the side.
“Not a chance.” I huff the words out.
He smirks and taps the metal cane on the stone floor. “Thought so.”
The first hit comes so fast and unexpected that all air leaves my lungs. The impact of metal on my ribs yanks me sideways, rattling the chain. It pulls harder on my wrists and shoulders. I squeeze my eyes shut, my whole body tensing.
The second hit lands on my thighs. A little softer. But every time I shift even the smallest amount, it only applies more pressure to my shoulders and wrists.
“One name,” the man says. “One name and this is all over.”
I keep his gaze and press my lips shut.
He’s getting nothing from me.
The third time he hits me with the cane, it splits the thin material of my pants. My muscles tremble uncontrollably. I steal a glance up at my wrists. The iron chafes against the sensitive skin, close to breaking it. My shoulders feel as if they may pop out at any time.
I must endure.
All I have to do is endure.
This will be over soon. They won’t kill me. Not yet. All I must do is bear this a little longer until they let me go back to my cell, to the familiar darkness and the comfort of Kitajo’s presence.
My muscles give in, and my whole body sags. I don’t feel my hands or fingers. I squeeze my eyes shut and rest my head on the inside of my arm. My head is so, so heavy.
No point in fighting this. I won’t win.
All I can do is survive.
Slowly, in my mind, I try to detach from all the sensations in my physical body. The strain, the pull, the dull ache, the tingling and numbness. The sharp pain of the iron cane against my bones.
In my mind, I’m not here.
Not in this dark cell with two strangers.
I’m back in Ezkai Castle.
It’s late spring, with the plum trees blossoming all around Jaakii. I’m standing in front of the big window in Kitajo’s bedroom, savoring the sight of the sun setting behind the mountains, and the orange blossoms everywhere.
A strong, familiar hand wraps around my waist. I feel the warmth of his body against my back. It feels so good. I allow myself to lean into it, into the feeling of him. My safe space.
Before I know it, darkness claims me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
