Page 67 of Shifter King
Horror gripped Amelia fast. "Your Majesty." No, no. This wasn't right. She bowed her head, her mind racing as she whispered. "I do not know how to break anyone’s mind."
"It’s easy,"the Ki Valo Nakar said sternly."All you have to do is reach inside and grab the threads, then cut them. In someone that frail, it’ll be a kindness. This isn't much to ask."
"Yes, you do." Zorna gave her a patronizing smile. "All Neyeb know this. I have heard the lore. Besides, if you know how to heal, you know how to break. So you will break this woman’s mind, and you will do this now. Then we will discuss the timelines for the other matters."
"What crime has this woman committed?"
"Crime?" Zorna’s brow lifted. Then she laughed. As she glanced back at the few assembled with her, they laughed as well. "That one has become inconvenient. She is a broken tool that must be reshaped or else she has no purpose. You will reshape her so that she has value here."
"I—I might accidentally kill her."
"Eh. You wouldn’t be the first." She shrugged her left shoulder dramatically as she leaned back in the throne. "We have been trying to cultivate these skills for quite some time. With some Tiablo and Abliato prisoners as well. It is...not progressing well. But you are a Neyeb. You can do this." She wrinkled her nose as she gestured to the woman in the center of the platform. "And if she dies, all we do is pull that lever and down into the river she goes."
"I thought you wanted to be the Grandmother of the New Bealorns!" Though she tried to keep her voice respectful, an edge of desperation now lined it.
"Yes, and I want this too. I am the queen. You understand what this means, right?" She motioned toward the woman again. "If you do not want my wrath, you will do as I command. Otherwise, the punishment will be...exceptional. I will not tolerate any who go against me. And I do not accept humiliation. Do you understand?"
Bowing her head, Amelia clenched her hand into fists. "I do."
"You better,"the Ki Valo Nakar snarled."This petty queen is not playing."
Amelia turned back toward the long walkway that led to the suspended circular platform. It seemed to stretch on forever, the dark waters surging and circling below. The ragged woman resembled a specter of some lost soul as she awaited her fate. Her stringy black hair clung to her scalp, wet from the mist. Even from this distance, she shivered, her shredded and soaked grey dress clinging to her bony body.
All that Amelia felt—her head pulsed with the intensity of thought and emotion. So many. So many people. So many hearts and so many minds. And that woman—her victim—it came clearest of all from her. Even from this distance. She stood far enough away that she probably wouldn't have been heard over the waters unless she screamed. Zorna's voice only seemed to carry around the cavern because of the shape of the stones here. And even so what that prisoner felt was clear. Chilling terror and bursting sorrow. The woman knotted her fists against her palms, shaking even as she stood there. Welts, bruises, scratches, and scars mottled every patch of exposed skin.
This woman did not want to die. That was as clear as the cruelty she had suffered. Amelia didn't even have to ask her. Who would want to have their mind broken and be subjected to slavery for the rest of their days?
"I know what you see. I understand. But you have to do it," the Ki Valo Nakar urged."You don’t have to break her mind. Just take her soul. Release it. It would be a mercy."
"She doesn’t want—"
"It doesn’t matter! Do you think these people give a hide or cent what she or you want?"
"But I—"
"Listen to me, Neyeb." The Ki Valo Nakar seemed to draw in closer. It scales and legs clicked as it coiled its body tighter, its voice deepening."You must do this. Everyone will understand. This woman is a wretch. People cling to life when they shouldn’t because they fear death and what lies beyond. Why should they? Why should she? Give her relief. It may be forbidden, but the price will be paid later, and it will not be so bad as what this Bealorn queen will do to you. This woman has already been condemned. Her soul will help you. Elonumato will have more mercy for you than this queen will."
No. She choked. This wasn't right.
She needed time.
"Oh," she cried out as if in pain, holding her head. "Oh, I’m sorry. I just—" She swayed on her feet, then dropped to the woven floor.
Surprised shouts and cries followed. Footsteps pounded closer.
Not ideal. But this should buy her at least an hour. Firm hands seized her, lifted her up, and carried her away.
THE CHOICE
They carried Amelia off the walkway and across the platform to another room. The door creaked open, then slammed shut, dulling the sounds, emotions, and scents. They placed her on the couch and strode away, the footsteps solid and heavy, rustling over the dyed reed rug.
She kept her eyes shut and her body limp. At least two other people were in the room with her. Zorna for one. She could practically feel the woman's eyes boring into her, debating whether she had faked the whole thing.
Another knelt beside her. "She doesn't look particularly well, your Majesty," a soft male voice said. Fingers wrapped around her wrist, likely taking her pulse. Then they pressed between the corner of her jaw and throat. "There could be a great deal of damage from—"
"Wake her," Zorna said. "Do it now. I like your colleague better than you. Do you want to anger me further?"
She groaned inwardly. So much for that.
