Page 106 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Arianna tried twisting her wrist, hoping to force her hand through the small opening. She pulled, gritting her teeth against the sting of the metal. Arianna tested the amount of roombetween herself and the bar across her torso next. Not much, but perhaps enough for her to shift to the side for more leverage.

She tried, gritting her teeth as she pulled on her wrist, but only succeeded in bruising her hip and reopening the knife wound. Blood trickled down her side, then her movements became more frantic.

Arianna yanked and pulled again, straining against the clasps holding her in place. Her magic thrashed and bucked and Arianna set it free only to experience a familiar electrical shock that flew through her body like molten fire.

She stopped moving and gasped for breath. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes and she slammed her wrists against the shackles in frustration.

Trapped. She was trapped all over again. She’d be subjected to Vairik’s madness with no hope of escape.

Would he make her watch as he tore Rion apart? What would happen to Talon and Raevina? Would he start with them instead and discard their bodies afterward? Would Talon be the next floating mass outside the dungeon, left there without recognition or a proper burial?

Arianna yanked at her restraints again, then pulled on her magic a second time, bracing against the electrical shock that pulsed through her system.

Rion hadn’t given up. He’d broken his own chains in his determination to preserve their bond. He’d gone through hell because of her weakness. She couldn’t let him go through it again or let her sister suffer any longer.

Her heart beat even faster as Arianna recalled the illusions that’d felt entirely too real. She hadn’t even questioned them. Had her sister been an illusion too? Was Ellie safe and unharmed or was she locked in a cell? Was she even alive?

Arianna yanked again, letting her magic free but the current bit back even stronger. She arched off the table, teeth gritted in pain before collapsing again.

Arianna struggled to catch her breath. Magic wasn’t going to work here. She needed to use her own physical strength if she hoped to escape.

She’d pushed her body in the weeks Ellie had been missing. They’d all trained religiously, preparing for anything the gods might throw their way. She could do this, she just—

A latch in the door clicked and Arianna froze. Muffled voices floated in from the other side. A set of keys jangled then the heavy door swung open to reveal a familiar face she’d hoped to never see again.

“That’s very distracting. Some of us have other assignments to attend to.”

Arianna bared her teeth at him, a low growl escaping, but Niall laughed it off as if she weren’t a threat. “Seems I’ll have to arrange my schedule then.” He stepped inside and let the door close behind him. Niall rolled up a sleeve then reached for the clipboard. His eyes scanned the page before he turned to her. Two long strides had him across the room in seconds. He reached out a hand.

“Don’t you dare touch me.”

Niall paused and that familiar smile crept across his face before falling away again. Instead, he turned and grabbed the chair, letting the legs scrape across the floor before he seated himself far too close for comfort.

“Perhaps explaining my intensions will relax you a bit.”

“Where is Rion?”

“Where he needs to be. Shackled like the dog he is.”

She growled again.

“Don’t you want to know what we plan to do with you? It’s what half the other prisoners beg for.”

“Why would I listen to you? All you’ve ever done is lie.”

He smirked. “I suppose I deserve that. But rest assured, I was lied to as well.”

She furrowed her brow at him, but didn’t give Niall the satisfaction of asking questions. He continued anyway.

“You see, I was led to believe I would rule the continent and that you were the key to obtaining that dream. But it was all an illusion. My father has kindly explained why it was necessary and though I’m still sore at him, I’ve come to accept we have bigger goals.”

She wanted to ask what. To know if they really did have an army, but Arianna just glared at him.

Niall laughed again then ran a disgustingly long finger down her forearm. “You see, I don’t need you anymore. My father does, but just for a short while. Once he’s done, I’m free to exact my revenge.” He gripped her arm painfully. “And rest assured, I will most certainly get my revenge.”

“It was your own fault for underestimating me.”

“Perhaps it was. I didn’t think you had so much fight in you, especially when you fell to my glamours so easily.” Niall shook his head. “I was honestly disappointed you didn’t put up more of a fight, but when you did,” he whistled. “You actually caught me off guard. I really thought you’d finish the job.” He leaned forward. “Too bad for you, you didn’t.”

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