Page 18 of Savage Hunt

Six

Sorin plucked a sharp knife from a tray of torture devices. “I’m here to offer my services. I’m a master at torture, and it seems these two are having a little trouble with you.”

Gershan crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, grinning. “You’ll be screaming in no time, 487331.”

Sparks flew from the witch’s fingers, casting light across her raven locks pulled into a high ponytail. “And if Sorin can’t get you to crumble, I’ll think of a few spells that will have you wetting yourself.”

My pulse spiked, and sweat leaked down my temple as Sorin strolled closer, lifting the sharp knife to my eye.

“Maybe I could pluck one of these pretty things out and make you watch Gershan eat it.” He chuckled as the blood drained from my cheeks. “I wonder if that mutt demon shifter will still want you after that.”

“He would.” I scowled. “And he’d rip both of your eyes out for it.”

His chuckle prickled my flesh. “Shall we find out?”

Blood thundered in my ears, and I struggled in the binds as Sorin moved the blade closer. And closer.

What was it with demons wanting to blind me?

“I’ll cut up your face too.” He grinned. “Make you into a real masterpiece that no one can look at without shuddering, even Fane.”

As the tip of the knife touched my eyelashes, the door swung open, and a force of power erupted in the room.

“Back away from her now, Sorin.” Warden Demarcus marched in, his gaze darkening on the prisoner still clutching the knife and threatening to blind me.

Sorin scoffed. “She needs to be punished for that fight in the cafeteria. I’m just offering my assistance.”

The two guards stiffened and glanced at each other as the warden’s sinister energy thickened. Neither spoke a word while the two high demons faced off, one feral and wild while the other screamed danger.

Demarcus snatched the knife from Sorin so fast his movements were a blur. “When I command you to do something, you follow.”

A sneer pulled at Sorin’s mouth. “Why are you protecting her? You saw what happened in the cafeteria. I’m surprised you’re not here delegating the torture.”

The warden gripped Sorin’s jaw and shoved him into a wall, rattling the metal devices on a nearby shelf. Oily blackness eclipsed Demarcus’s irises, and his skin paled while his teeth sharpened. “I allow you certain privileges in Heldrok but make no mistake about who runs this place.” His fingers dug into Sorin. “I do. Got it?”

The inmate’s nostrils flared as he gave a curt nod. “Got it, warden.”

“Leiana, release Ms. Teague,” Demarcus demanded. “Immediately.”

Her hand shook as she lifted it and whispered an incantation under her breath to unfasten the leather straps binding me to the chair. The warden scrutinized the collection of fresh cuts marring my flesh, and the tiny muscles in his face feathered as he bared his teeth.

What was his deal? He didn’t want me to be tortured by Sorin but allowed Venna and Mykel to do much worse.

I pulled my jumpsuit up, stuck my arms through the sleeves, and buttoned it. Was he waiting for a thank you?

Demarcus finally turned away and released Sorin. “You three are finished in here. Gershan, return Sorin to his cell, and Leiana, report to your post. I will escort the prisoner to her cell.” He curled his fingers for me to follow him as he headed for the door.

As we walked down the narrow maze of halls, I stared at the warden from the corner of my eye.

“If you have something to say, out with it.” His low, silky voice snapped me out of my whirling thoughts.

I folded my arms over my chest, wincing from the sharp sting of cuts. “Why did you do that? I don’t believe it’s out of the kindness of your heart.”

He chuckled. “Most believe I don’t have a heart.”

“Maybe you don’t.”

Demarcus sighed and smoothed his purple locks back. “You’re getting enough torture from Venna. You don’t need extra from them, especially Sorin.” The hoop in his bottom lip caught the dim light as he grimaced. “He’s becoming an issue.”

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