Page 19 of Illicit Bargain

The checkpoint is alive with activity, guards and soldiers bustling about, distracted by their own duties. Luck, it seems, is on my side. Most of them are too preoccupied to notice us slipping away. We're almost clear when I catch a glimpse of another noble dark elf. Her sharp eyes scan the area, and for a moment, they lock onto us. Recognition flares in her gaze.

"Help! He's—" she starts, her voice rising in alarm. But I’m faster. In an instant, I rush over and I slam into her body with a force that drive her to the ground. My free hand clamps over her mouth, silencing her. Then, I take her by the neck and slam her against the nearest building, the impact driving the breath fromher lungs. Her eyes widen in shock and fear as I lean in close, my own eyes promising retribution if she dares to make another sound.

"Shut up," I hiss, my grip tightening. Her eyes widen in fear. "I'll rip your tongue out if you yell like that again."

She struggles, but I’m stronger. A quick blow to the back of the head, and she goes limp in my arms. I sling her over my other shoulder, the weight of two dark elves slowing me down slightly, but I press on.

The edge of the forest is in sight when a sharp pain lances through my side. I glance down to see blood seeping from a wound—must've been a lucky shot from one of Chalan’s flailing limbs.

"You're heavier than you look," I mutter, gritting my teeth against the pain.

I drag them both through the underbrush, each step taking us closer to the camp and to Catandria. She’ll be thrilled with what I've caught for us.

15

CATANDRIA

Javan stumbles back into our camp, his dark elf disguise slipping, revealing the gashes and bruises marring his body. My heart clenches, worry bubbling up. I rush to him, ignoring the protesting groans from our captives.

“Who did this to you?” My voice trembles with barely contained fury as I press a damp cloth to his wounds.

“Chalan,” he grunts, wincing as the cloth touches a particularly nasty cut. He drops them onto the ground unceremoniously. “And his little bitch, Darana.”

My grip tightens on the cloth, eyeing the two dark elves with pure malice. “Those bastards.”

He chuckles, dark and amused. “Careful, little human. Your anger might consume you.”

“I won’t let them get away with this.” I set the cloth down, a plan forming in my mind. “I’ll make them regret ever touching you.”

Javan’s eyes gleam with interest. “Do your worst, Catandria.”

I turn my attention to the captives, chained and gagged, eyes wide with fear. The memory of my friend’s lifeless body fuels my resolve. I stride over, yanking Kynor up by the hair.

“You like causing pain, don’t you?” I hiss, dragging the dark elf to a tree. “Let’s see how you like it.”

I tie the rope around his neck, throwing it over a branch and hoisting him up just enough for his toes to barely touch the ground. He struggles, gasping for air, eyes bulging.

Javan watches, a dark smile playing on his lips. “Interesting choice.”

“Just the beginning,” I mutter, turning to the other captive. Chalan. His bitch is lying on the ground, crying silently beside him. “Your turn.”

I drag him to the muddy ground, forcing his face into the dirt. “Eat it,” I command, pressing his head down. He chokes and sputters, trying to resist, but I press harder. “Eat. It.”

Javan’s laughter echoes through the camp. “I didn’t know you had this in you, Catandria.”

I meet his gaze, my own eyes burning with a fire I’ve never felt before. “They deserve worse.”

“True,” he agrees, leaning back, wincing slightly. “But you should save some of that rage for the ritual.”

I nod, though my hands tremble with the intensity of my emotions. I release the dark elf, who falls back, coughing and retching.

“I want them to feel every bit of pain they inflicted on me and my people,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”

Javan’s eyes gleam with approval. “You’re going to make a fine demon, Catandria.”

I turn back to the captives, my mind racing with ideas. “Let’s see how much they can take.”

The night is filled with their screams, but for the first time in months, I feel a sense of control. A sense of power. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it.

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