Page 12 of Her Fallen Angel

The thought of it all, of punishing that defiance out of her sends arousal coursing through my veins. But not here. Not on this compound with lesser warriors watching. I'll take my time breaking through her walls in private.

Which means I need to make new arrangements for her.

6

ARENWEN

Icurl tighter into myself, the cold stone seeping through my thin dress and into my bones. Every shift sends needles of pain through my cramped muscles. The xaphan guards patrol past our cells, their ash-gray wings casting flickering shadows in the torchlight. Another scream echoes down the corridor - they've taken someone else.

"Stay strong," Gabriel whispers next to me. His familiar voice steadies me, though I hear the strain beneath his attempted comfort.

A young woman stumbles past, shoved roughly back into an adjacent cell by a sneering guard. Her dress hangs in tatters, fresh bruises darkening her throat. She collapses in the corner, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. No one moves to help her - we've all learned that drawing attention only makes things worse.

My stomach twists as the sour smell of unwashed bodies and waste fills my nostrils. They feed us barely enough moldy bread to keep us alive, throwing it through the bars like we're animals. Some fight over the scraps. Others, like the elderly man across from me, have stopped eating altogether.

"Aren." Gabriel moves closer, trying to comfort me as I try to shut out the doubt seeping in.

But why are they doing this? Why these creatures? And our gods? Where are they now?

I know it is what the xaphan want, so I try to fight it. But with each abused body that is dragged back here, I start to lose a little bit of my grasp on my faith.

Gabriel gently touches my arm. "We'll get through this." His hand bears fresh cuts - he fought back when they took a temple girl yesterday. They beat him for it, but he never screams.

Before I can respond, a guard's boots stop before my cell. My heart pounds as keys rattle in the lock. But he only dumps another prisoner inside - a boy no older than fourteen, blood trickling from his split lip. His eyes are vacant, staring at nothing.

I want to help him, to offer what little comfort I can. But movement draws pain, and I've learned that kindness here only paints a target on your back. So I stay curled in my corner, silently praying as another scream pierces the darkness.

Gabriel's fingers tighten around mine. "We'll survive this," he murmurs, though his voice wavers. "We have to."

I know he's right, and I try to strengthen my resolve. But the gods must know I'm in need of a test because I soon see a familiar figure striding down between the cells. The torchlight catches on his violet eyes, making them glow with predatory intensity as they lock onto me.

"This one." His deep voice carries authority that makes the guards snap to attention. The cell door scrapes open. "Come here, little flame."

I press back against the cold stone, but keep my chin lifted. "I will come willingly if we can negotiate how humans are being treated."

"Negotiate?" A dark laugh rumbles from his chest. "You belong to me now. There are no negotiations."

Kai steps closer, and I catch the glint of battle scars across his exposed forearms. His black hair falls loose around his shoulders, framing features that might be beautiful if not twisted with such cruel amusement.

"Aren, no!" Gabriel lunges between us. "Don't touch her!"

Kai snarls at Gabriel. His wings flare out, ash-gray feathers bristling. "You haven't learned your lessen yet, human?"

"Please," I whisper, seeing the violence building in those glowing eyes. I stand, brushing myself off as I step around my friend. "Gabriel, it's okay. I'll be fine."

"Like hell you will!" Gabriel's voice cracks. "I won't let him-"

Kai's hand shoots forward, catching Gabriel's throat. "You won't let me? You have no power here, human." His fingers tighten until Gabriel chokes.

"Stop!" I scramble to my feet. "I'll come willingly. Just don't hurt him."

Kai's grip loosens, but his expression darkens further at my plea. He releases Gabriel with a snarl and stalks toward me. His wings cast me in shadow as he grabs my arm, fingers bruising.

"No more bargaining for others, little flame. You'll learn your place."

He drags me from the cell. I don't fight, though every instinct screams to struggle. I hold onto my faith instead, even as Gabriel's desperate calls fade behind us.

Kai's grip never loosens as he drags me through gleaming streets. My feet stumble on polished stone, the splendor of the city blurring past in a haze of gold and crystal spires. His townhouse looms before us, dark stone a stark contrast to the city's radiance.

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