AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He stole a glass of ale from the bar, and I laugh as he chugs it in one gulp and crashes the glass against the stones of our path.
“I only had four,” I sigh.
“Pity.”
I let the rain fall down my skin, rinsing the blood from my cheeks. Some of it’s his, and some of it’s mine. No matter, we’ve fought before and we’ll fight again, probably more than once before the sun rises in the morning.
“Come,” I demand, turning towards the path home. “I need something stronger tonight. Something that’ll knock a howler beast on its ass.”
I have liquor transmuted by soz’garoths that’ll make the traitorous thoughts whispering in my mind melt into the abyss.
With Drir’gen by my side, it seems like a good enough plan. My knuckles drip with blood. I hold out my hand, observing how my skin slowly knits itself together as the lightning flashes above.
Drir’gen looks thoughtful. “The night is young, my friend. Are you sure you want to end it so soon?”
“Who said anything about it ending?”
100
ANASTASIA
In the dungeon, it’s hard to measure just how much time has passed. In the beginning, I was sleeping a lot, which makes it even harder to guess. I think maybe it’s been a day, perhaps two.
I roll on my side, trying to get comfortable on the cold stone floor. “Ugh,” I groan in annoyance, flopping to my other side. “It’s no use.”
At first, laying down for a long nap helped occupy me. I had nothing better to do anyway, and at least I knew that every time I closed my eyes, it brought me closer to my demon captor’s return.
At least, that’s what I thought. But he never came back. Now I’m too hungry and thirsty to be able to rest comfortably. The pangs in my stomach disrupt me and keep me awake, and I’m beginning to think that the demon isn’t coming at all.
It reminds me of the time that I spent in a cell in the castle. In the beginning, no one cared what happened to us. We were starved for long periods of time, barely given enough to stay alive.
I never knew exactly what had brought about the change, but I had heard that another demon advocated for better conditions for us. It helped that the demons had also realized, by then, the potential that humans had for breeding. They needed us to birth their children and fill their ranks, and as a result, they became much more accommodating of our basic needs.
The demons were never nice, but at least they were now making an effort to keep us alive. Only because of what we offered, but still, it was better than nothing.
I thought when the king gave me to this demon that he called Volikan I could expect the same. I would breed with him and Volikan would provide for me. Maybe I would get a room, or at least a bed. I’d be fed every day, and warm, and at least I could confidently say that things could always be worse.
It’s no little girl’s dream, but when times are tough, you take what you can get.
Is this really all that it’s ever going to be? He doesn’t seem to take any interest in me, besides seeing me miserable. I don’t think he even wants to breed with me at all, the one thing I thought I had to offer.
“Do you think the other women have this problem?” I wonder out loud. “A demon they’re forced to breed with, who doesn’t even want them? I hope they’re doing better than I am.”
I had been very hopeful that this was a turning point, and instead it feels like I’ve stepped into something worse. I don’t think this was what the king had intended, however, and I hope the others still have a chance. Maybe they didn’t end up with a demon like mine.
Obviously, this wasn’t the answer that any of us humans wanted, but I really thought we could find a way to make it work. Co-exist, I suppose. I’d like to think that some of the women have managed that, even if it turns out it wasn’t in the cards for me.
At least I have my faith. That helps me carry on, knowing that everything is always just as The Mother intended. When I was given to a demon, I thought that meant that breeding with him was what She wanted.
Now it seems that she has intervened once more, making it clear that’s not the direction this is heading. I was brought here for a reason, even if I can’t see what it is yet. In time, it will all be clear.
The one thing I do know is that I can’t keep waiting for him to come back. The gnawing in my stomach is making me mad, too poignant a reminder of those dark times from before. I’m starting to feel stir crazy, and I know I have to get out of here before it gets worse.
I trust The Mother and her care, but sometimes, She demands that we help ourselves. That’s what I intend to do. I make my way to the cell door, examining the lock first.
It’s secure, and there’s no chance of another freak ‘accident’ like what happened with the manacles earlier. But that doesn’t concern me. It’s still just a lock, and locks can be broken.
I peer past the bars of the cell to determine what tools I have available to me. Quickly, I spy a shelf along the wall that has several items resting on it. Nails, wire, a screwdriver, and more.
