Page 154 of Bound By Darkness

Their hands were bound behind their backs as they straightened, gags shoved into their mouths to keep from speaking.

Every fiber of strength, every fiber of courage left my body as Moria and Fin stared at me, beaten and bloody.

Fin’s eye was swollen, and cuts lined his body from head to toe.

Moria’s cheek was bruised, rope burns etched into her arms and legs from where she was bound as her eyes met mine.

“Let them go!” I shouted, my body stepping forward.

The woman walked over, her hands squishing Moria’s cheeks. “This must be Moria based on your reaction.”

“Don’t touch her!” Heat seeped into every pour as my hands tugged at the chains.

The woman laughed as she slapped her, the sound piercing the deepest part of my heart.

“They fought valiantly, but their strength was lacking compared to my army,” she cooed. “And this one,” she said as she walked over to Fin, “apparently fought valiantly for your friend.” Her finger traced lines down his face. “Pity. He’s quite handsome.”

“Stop touching them!” I barked, my eyes switching from hers to Kaydn’s.

He stood there, doing absolutely nothing to help his friend… to help me.

With a final pat against Fin’s cheek, she stepped closer to me.

“For a price. Say you’ll come with me. Say you’ll fight.”

“I can’t. I have a blood oath with Iyanna,” I snapped.

The woman waved her hand. “Not a problem. You have something you bought from a friend of mine.”

One of the rebels inched forward, pulling a flask from the satchel at their side. Another gripped my chin, shoving it open with sheer strength. It was a bottle.Mysilver bottle I had bought from the merchant.

Had it been one of her spies planted in the Hideaway?

The rebel tore the seal from the opening in one swift motion before dangling the silver liquid over my lips and tongue.

She spoke in an ancient language that was both exquisite and haunting.

I shoved and jerked back. Hells, attempted to slam my teeth together—but the fates were not on my side as the woman turned the bottle over, the silvery liquid cascading down my open throat and tongue.

The other rebel slammed my jaw shut.

He pinched my nose until my throat burned… until I couldn’t hold out any longer as I swallowed.

Chapter 46

Broken Chains

THALIA

Every last dropdripped down my throat.

Itburned.

It burned like silver fire.

My hands stung as the iron held them back from clawing at my throat.

The burning refused to subside as it traveled up my neck. It lit everything on fire as screams lamented from within.

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