Page 69 of Bound By Darkness

The shirt turned red, but the added pressure slowed the bleeding enough to stop it from spilling onto the ground. My arms quivered at the unusual angle, fatigue setting into my bones?—

A shove pushed my face into the ground as dirt and dust swirled within my vision, leaving behind throbbing pain. Coughing, wetness seeped into my side as I stared at the branches and leaves. I blinked back the blinding ache as I stared at the red puddle permeating the muddy earth—at the body missing.

My eyes roamed the floor until they landed on Fin’s body twisted at an unnatural angle against an oak tree a few stones away. Blood trickled from his forehead.

A noise flew from me as a boot collided with his side, shoving him further against the wooden stump. Pieces of bark broke from the force as the foot collided with him repeatedly, the arrow cracking and breaking to pieces.

My nails dug into the loose earth as I stumbled to one knee. “Stop,” I rasped.

The boot halted its assault as it rested atop Fin’s head, mud flinging onto his forehead. My lunch sunk as the hooded figure cocked their head to the side, their brown eyes locking onto mine.

Dressed in fighting leathers like Ivan’s, the hooded figure applied pressure to Fin’s head. Their beady eyes tracked every movement I made as I stumbled, the blood rushing to my feet as I faced my opponent.

An ornate crest rested above the hooded figure’s heart, outlined in bits of silver and purple. Below the hood, a mask concealing any identifiable features covered his face.

“Half-breeds don’t make the decisions,” he spat, his arms crossing over the iron sheets woven across his chest. Theyblended into the fabric seamlessly. “You should be kneeling.”

Slowly, my fingers crept for the hilt of my dagger resting against my thigh. “Leave him alone.”

The hooded man laughed, his mask jostling with the movement. “Making demands when you’re surrounded? A new level of stupidity, Thalia.”

My stomach lurched into my throat.

The man’s brow rose in silent confirmation. He’d found what he had been looking for.

Kicking Fin’s limp body once more, he wiped the blood from his shoe away with the wet ground before striding over. His movements were elegant, but he did not have the same skill as Ivan. Ivan moved with speed and agility, like an ancient pukah tracking its prey.

I struck, the dagger flying from my hands as it collided with his chest.

The man laughed, deep and full of annoyance. The dagger had struck true, but it slid from his chest like oil. No mark graced where I’d thrown it.

I reached for the other dagger resting against my lower leg. Maybe it lost momentum. Maybe my swing had?—

My knees buckled underneath an invisible hand, the pressure slapping me into the leaves and twigs below. My arms strained against the weight as I tried to pry myself from the wet foliage.

I couldn’t move. What… what was going on?

“Now, Thalia,” he stated as he crouched beside me. “You have two options. Either come with me willingly, and both of your companions die… or I take you unwillingly, and both your companions die. Preference?”

My eyes locked with his as my jaw tightened, a muscle flexing beneath. “What about neither?” I spat, the effects of the pressure lingering in my bones.

His hand rose as a mark etched deep into his flesh appeared. It sputtered and glowed like faelight, sparks of white fluttering within as he held it over my body.

The earth cracked beneath me as if a hundred men held me, their bodies toppling onto mine. The man waved his hand, the pressure localizing on my fingers as I screamed.

A crack sounded as bone broke.

“I told you to answer,” he said flatly.

Another scream tore from my lungs as bones continued to snap. It radiated through my hand, the throbbing refusing to dissipate.

The man removed his hand, the pressure decreasing as deep gulps of air entered my lungs. A few of my fingers twitched.

“I’ll ask you again. Which option?” Gone was the amused tone in his voice.

I remained silent.

“Very well. Then?—”

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