Page 56 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
Biting the inside of my cheek, I gripped the rope with my raw hands and stepped into the dingy bucket. It was barely large enough for me to fit one foot inside, and I had to balance the other foot on the rim. The coarse fibers of the rope scraped against my palms, and I held back a whimper. I didn’t want them to get any enjoyment from my injuries.
The first guard began hauling me upward, the bucket swaying precariously. My cuts and sores shredded further as the bucket spun like a tilt-a-whirl, and the bread in my stomach lurched into my throat.
"Don't even think about using those teeth." Crossbow Guard pointed the bolt right in my face as my head cleared the opening. "We know what you are, and we won’t allow you to bite off our noses or any other appendages."
“Shut it,” Rope Guard snapped as he secured the rope on a hook in the wall. Then he reached out for me, his rough hands squeezing my arms above my elbows, and lifted me upward.
The wool of my dress cut into my skin, and I bit my cheek harder. I needed to ground myself, and that seemed like the best way.
I scanned the area for something to use as leverage to try to escape, but the closest thing was a rope that hung at Rope Guard’s side, just out of reach.
He placed me on the ground, and the second guard pivoted a mere three feet from me with the bolt still ready.
“One unexpected movement, and I won’t hesitate to kill you.” Crossbow Guard grinned like he’d just offered me a challenge.
These two were being careful, which was problematic for me.
Rope Guard rubbed my arms, causing the wool to grate against my flesh. He removed the rope at his side and bound my wrists, knotting the scratchy rope hard, and I grunted, unable to keep the noise from coming out.
"Move." Rope Guard shoved me down the dimly lit corridor.
“Hey!” I stumbled forward and nearly struck the hall wall.
“Don’t cause trouble,” Crossbow Guard growled.
I placed my bound hands against the wall and stepped back.
“Come on now. Faster.” Rope Guard gave a warning tug.
Stinging pricks shot down my hands, and once again my feet scraped against the rough stone floor. Each step hurt worse than the last. As I limped down the hall, I tried to make myself appear even more pathetic. This wasn’t a time for pride—it was a time for them to underestimate me.
Neither guard touched me, and Rope Guard gave me enough slack to set my own speed.
“Left,” Rope Guard barked when we approached a cross-section in the dark, pockmarked hall.
“And hurry. We don’t want to keep our guest waiting.” Crossbow Guard gestured with his weapon.
They were taking me back to the room where I’d seen Vad, which meant I wouldn’t see any more of the prison. My shoulders sagged. Every time I hoped to get ahead, it seemed I landed in an even more precarious situation. Was it even worth?—
Yes.
I gritted my teeth. I wouldn’t become like Elias. He and I were going to find a way out of here. Ember wouldn’t allow them to break her, and I refused to break as well. We were fighters.
My heart sped faster as we approached the heavy door. No welcoming tug found me, but I caught a faint scent that I couldn’t quite place.
Crossbow Guard shoved the door open, and then Rope Guard struck me between the shoulders and pushed me through. “Don’t keep ‘em waiting.”
My shoulders hunched forward as my back absorbed the blow. I staggered into the room and narrowly caught myself against the wooden slab table with the oil lamp, jostling it. Thelamp rattled loudly. The scent of jasmine and something like roses fought against the cave’s smell of rot and blood. I righted myself, standing tall as the door clanged shut. The guards moved to stand against the wall, hands at their sides but no weapons drawn.
I lifted my head to face the latest potential enemy in the room...and blinked.
There was something about the woman in front of me. Something familiar, though I thought I’d never met her before.
She was frail, her ivory skin thin as paper with numerous cuts and bruises along the veins, as if her own blood was too violent for her body. Her cheeks were gaunt hollows carved far too sharply, much like her eyes, which had sunken in. Bloody cracks ran along the corners of her mouth and over her lips, and her black hair, which was pulled into a loose bun, had multiple thin patches, to the point that her skull was visible.
My heart broke. They had to be torturing her as well. But why would they have two prisoners meet? Although... she was clean and dressed nicely in an indigo gown.
She moved toward me, her lips cracking even more.
