Page 100 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

She was curled up in a ball when the door creaked open a couple of hours later. Vita crawled to the far end of the cell as Spurius appeared, that wicked gleam in his eyes complemented by the sneer he always seemed to wear.

“The Praetor is ready for you,” he hissed, almost giddy with glee.

She winced, the cold of the metal bars pressing against her. “Why are you doing this? Why do you serve a man like that, when you can do as you please?”

“Iamdoing as I please. It pleases me to see pretty little things like you in pain,punished. And Amulius always lets me have my turn when he’s done.”

Terror iced her veins as if someone had poured a cold bucket of water over her.

So many implications behind his cruel words. Vita wasn’t the first? Would he kill her after he had his way with her, after Spurius hadhisway with her? Panic gripped her chest, replacing the resignation from just a moment ago.

She would never see Verian again, or Renatus, or Aurora, Petran, Livia, Drusus, Gaius…

Spurius waved a hand, and her whole body clenched with control. She couldfeelhis magic roiling through, wrapping itself around her bones, her muscles, her skin,pullingher towards him. One step at a time, she made her way across the cell until she stood in front of him, only the metal bars separating them.

“I’m going to have fun with you. Take my time so I can enjoy every beautiful scream.”

His grin was too large, taking up so much of his face it seemed unnatural.

With a flick of his wrist, the cell door screeched open. Tears rolled down her face—the only thing her body still seemed in control of—as she followed him out of the dank room, down a dark hallway, and through another door.

This room was better lit than her cell had been, braziers flickering to life on every wall, though no less damp and stale. A wave of panic washed over her, a grim bed and gray mattress the only furniture in the bare space.

Still without dominion over her body, Vita walked to the bed, plopping onto the mattress with a creak, shivering from the cold of the room and the fear gripping her heart. She said a prayer to the Gods to let this be over swiftly, whatever was to happen.

Then he was there, Amulius himself, entering the room with a grin rivaling Spurius’ in vile wickedness. He glanced at the mage, who stood in the corner, before approaching her.

“If you can be a good girl for me, then Spurius will loosen his grip.” He placed a hand on her throat, jerking her head up to look at him. “Can you do that?”

Vita just blinked, unable to speak or move, until she felt the tension in her body lessen. With a small bit of control returned, she nodded, hoping it would make things easier on her.

Amulius just smiled, his predatory gaze lingering on her lips before he smashed his mouth against hers.

The stale scent of coffee washed over her, his hand still on her throat as he assaulted her with his vindictive kiss. He bit down on her lip, metallic blood flooding her mouth.

A second later, he forced his tongue inside, moaning against her.

When he pulled back, his dark eyes were glimmering with lust. “You belong to me, Vita. Do you understand?”

She nodded an assent, even as she reached for her power. Spurius would have to melt her damned bones before she let this go on further. But there was nothing, no welling of magic, no burning hands or electricity.

Nothing.

With one hand, Amulius started to unlace his pants and panic took hold, her mind racing though she tried to calm herself enough to find a small surge of energy, tried to remember Aurora’s words.

“You must pull the power from within.”

But there was no magic to be found. Like a wine amphora at the end of a long celebration, Vita was empty.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Spurius take a step closer to the bed, the wicked grin mixing with heavy lids, glazed with lust. Perhaps he wanted a better view of the show he was about to get as Amulius succeeded in his task, exposing himself and gripping her thigh underneath her dress. He pulled her into another kiss and she slammed her eyes shut.

Please, let this be over swiftly.

A repeated prayer, though without a hope of answer.

Suddenly, there was a noise, something beyond the disgusting sounds Amulius made as he moaned into her mouth. He pulled away and all three of them looked at the door, a rattling of metal ringing from the hallway beyond.

Then it burst open, slamming against the wall as Verian and Renatus pushed their way inside. Renatus whipped to the Praetor with inhuman speed, but before he could sink his fangs into him, he froze in his spot, inches away. Verian had his sword drawn and was rushing Spurius, but a second later, he was frozen as well.

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