Page 12 of Taken By The Dark Three
The official on the left clears his throat. “Alternatively, we can make an example by executing her. That might send a clearer message to the Red Purna.”
A hush falls. My pulse roars in my ears. There it is: the ultimatum, laid out in plain words. Serve or die. None of them mention Ai. They keep the child’s fate in the background, as if they know she’s the perfect lever to keep me in line.
Commander Vaelith glances at me, the lines of his face tight. I can’t read whether he’s satisfied or conflicted. Zareth stepsforward, addressing the dais. “I propose we give her one chance. If she refuses Orthani’s demands, we finalize her execution.” He sweeps a hand in my direction. “Let it be her choice. Then no one can say we didn’t offer mercy.”
Those words spark fresh anger in my chest. Mercy. How they twist everything. The woman on the dais dips her head. “Very well. Purna, speak. Will you serve Orthani’s cause, or face punishment?”
I lift my chin, gathering what tattered strength I have left. My wrists ache where the metal digs into my flesh. Pain radiates from every brand inflicted by Sathran’s rod. The memory of Ai’s small hand gripping mine slices through me. If I refuse, they might kill me—and Ai will be lost. The Red Purna betrayed me by sending me into this trap, so I can’t rely on them swooping in to rescue her. But if I bow to Orthani, I become their tool. My teeth clench. This choice is monstrous.
Yet I’ve survived monsters before. I weigh the possibility of biding my time, searching for any crack in their fortress. Ai might still be within these walls, waiting for a rescue. If I’m dead, I can’t save her. If I kneel, at least I might gather the leverage I need. A spark of cunning takes hold in my mind.
I slow, brittle laugh lips past my lips and it ripples through the chamber. “You think chaining me is enough to secure my loyalty?” I meet the stately woman’s gaze, then rake my attention over Vaelith and Zareth. “Let me make something clear. I may serve—for now—but you’ll live to regret giving me the opportunity to stay alive.”
Zareth’s eyes gleam with malicious intrigue. Vaelith’s jaw tightens, though I notice a flicker of wariness behind his calm. The woman on the dais nods, apparently pleased by my submission. “Then so be it. For the time being, you remain under Orthani’s authority.”
The official scribbles on parchment, finalizing the arrangement. The crowd murmurs. I feel every burning stare, every hiss of disapproval. They want to see me chained forever.
Vaelith steps forward again, reclaiming the chain tethering my wrists. His grip is firm, though not painfully so. “I’ll handle her transfer,” he says. “Ensure she understands the expectations of her new status.”
My stomach churns, but I clamp down on any outward reaction. The dais dweller waves a dismissive hand. “Very well, Commander. Use her as you see fit, but keep her under strict watch.”
I catch a glimpse of Zareth’s sultry smirk, as if he looks forward to testing me further. I offer him my best glare. Let him scheme. I have no intention of playing the role of subservient prisoner for long. One day, he’ll learn how easily I can crush those who think me helpless.
Vaelith jerks the chain, urging me forward. My body protests each step as I follow him out of the chamber, ignoring the stares and whispers in our wake. Guards part to let us pass. The doors slam shut behind us, echoing down the corridor.
We walk in tense silence, each footstep on polished stone underscoring the precarious path I’ve just agreed to. He glances over at me once we’re alone, expression unreadable. “You made the right decision.”
My mouth twists in a cold smile. “Don’t flatter yourself. I did what I had to.”
He looks away, jaw tight. I wonder if he’s truly oblivious to the depth of my hatred or if he senses the wild fury lurking behind my compliance. Probably doesn’t matter to him. He’s Orthani’s loyal dog, after all.
When we reach another hallway leading to a spiral staircase, I notice flickering torches set in silver brackets. A distant window overlooks a courtyard, revealing the city’s black spiresjutting into a sky tinted with approaching dawn. The tangerine glow hints at a new day. My captivity stretches ahead, but my vow remains unwavering. I’ll endure. I’ll wait for the slightest crack in Orthani’s defenses, and then I’ll tear them from within.
Vaelith pulls me to a stop at the base of the staircase. “From this point on, you follow my orders. If you attempt to escape, you’ll be executed on sight.”
I tilt my head, letting a slow, mocking grin spread across my face. “You think I’m so naive as to try and run while your entire army stands guard? Relax, Commander.”
His eyes narrow, as though he’s trying to decide if I’m bluffing. A flicker of tension crosses his features. “You’ll learn your place soon enough.”
I snort softly. “Don’t hold your breath.”
He starts climbing the steps, forcing me to keep pace. Each step jars my aching muscles, but I refuse to stumble. Rage and determination drive me, fueling each movement. There will be a reckoning, and I plan to be the one standing when it arrives.
We emerge onto a level with doors leading to administrative offices, bustling with scribes and lesser officials. They pause in their tasks to stare as Vaelith leads me past. I sense their curiosity—rarely does a purna roam these halls in chains. Lips curl in sneers, eyes glint with morbid fascination. I keep my gaze forward, ignoring their presence.
Vaelith halts at a heavy door, unlocking it with a key. He gestures me inside. I step into a plain chamber with barred windows, containing a simple pallet and a small table. It’s hardly luxurious, but it’s better than the dungeon.
He unfastens the chain from my cuffs, though the metal bracelets remain locked around my wrists. “This is your holding cell until the court decides otherwise.”
I rub the chafed skin where the chain bit into me. “I’ll remember to send a thank-you note for the generous accommodations.”
He exhales, seeming momentarily weary of the constant clash between us. “You’re alive, purna. That’s more than many get.”
I meet his gaze. For an instant, the memory of him pinning me in that alley flashes through my mind, stirring a swirl of resentment and another emotion I refuse to name. “Congratulations, Commander. You can pat yourself on the back for not killing me outright.”
His expression flickers. “You brought this on yourself by invading Orthani.”
My spine stiffens. “I came for the child. If your city had any mercy, you’d free her.”
