Page 48 of Scars and Burns

And that’s dangerous.

Because if it is let out. I’m not sure anyone will like what they find.

The night of the raid was the first time I was actually able to put my skills to the test. Utilize my fighting and magic abilities I have been working so hard on.

And I savored every moment of it. Releasing my rage. Not having to hold back. Not caring what anyone saw that night because they’d be dead come morning.

I killed tens of people that night. Loving every bit of it. Holding their life in my hands. Their souls teetering on the edge of my blade. Feeling spirits leave their bodies as my magic ripped them apart or burned them alive. Seeing the light fade in each of their eyes.

I am a monster. There is no calming me now. Something has been set free.

I needed this.

I needed to kill.

And all I want to do now is kill again.

IV

Part 4

Four Years Later

27

Dinalia

Ihide in the darkness of the Shadowlands. A town on the edge of their border. I’ve been coming to the bordering towns for the past four years now. Escaping from the castle of Azaria. Waiting for the only thing that brings me release,killing.

I didn’t set out for this to be my path. But after the raid that took my Mother I was restless. Confused and unable to face the turmoil that raged on inside of me. I am all but dead to the world.

Each day bleeding into the other.

I wake, train Saphrina in her magic, greet whichever guests of the King’s are there that day, practice my fighting abilities to let out some more aggression, head into the forest, and spend my nights alone.

As I wait for my chance to kill, my mind flashes back to when it all began.

One night I didn’t feel like returning to the castle. I just kept wandering the woods with Lena.

Lena is the lynx I found all those years ago hurt in the forest. She outgrew the castle rather quickly. Shortly after bringing her into the castle and providing her with a steady flow of food she grew well out of my control. I was not able to hide her any longer. I sneaked her back into the forest. Shedidn’t want to leave me nor I her but I knew she would be happier here. I didn’t realize it at the time but she is a behemoth lynx. Perhaps, the largest creature I’ve ever seen. Large enough for me to ride on her now, though I never do. She’s usually off on her own just as I am. But we still see each other, somehow always meeting on the cliff side where I found her.

We walked so far that night we arrived at the borders of the Shadowlands. Smarter than I was, she left. I ventured into the town. Lurking about in the shadows watching the way they lived.

It was nicer than I imagined. They didn’t live in shacks like I used to. But everyone lives in a stone built home. Light and warmth from a fire seeping out of the windows of every house. They seem happy almost.

I was on my way to leave when I heard screaming.

Maybe not as happy as I thought.

I followed the sound. To find a woman pinned down with a man on top of her. He’s going to rape her.

Seeing flashes of my Mother’s face. Taking me back to the night our village was raided. Seeing the fear and tears in her eyes. I see them now in the face of this woman.

So, the Shadowland men are monsters to everyone, not just the other realms.

She’s fighting back with all her might. Kicking and clawing at him. Vile words are emanating from her mouth that I can’t make out.

It goes quiet. He must have gagged her or covered her mouth to draw less attention.

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