by Elise Whyles
Chapter 10
Una stifled a scream as she was pulled to her feet. She stared into the icy gray eyes of her captors. Thick, unruly hair lay in tangled mats upon their heads, and they wore wooden masks over their faces, their eyes peering from slits. Short, muscular legs held up robust barrels, giving them the appearance of squatting. Several were armed with long, pointed spears.
“A rather sweet bit,” one sneered, his eyes tracing over her body. “Take her to the master. He will decide who gets to feast upon such deliciousness.”
“Aye, feast.”
Una shuddered at the cold, slimy feel of a tongue tracing over her neck. “You’ll not live long enough,” she spat, kicking out. The pained cry of one was quickly hidden by the boisterous racket of the others as they pushed and shoved each other. Chortling and circling like carrion eaters. Struggling in their grasp, Una dug in her heels as she was dragged from where she’d fallen exhausted, determined to find a way out of the hellish place.
“No!” Una screamed with every step, biting and clawing at those who dared to touch her. Her screams of protest were quickly halted by the crude, filthy gag of someone’s tunic sleeve shoved into her mouth. Glaring at the offender, Una cursed the goddess who had sent her to this wretched place.
Half carried, half dragged, she stumbled to a halt in front of a black stone ruin. Thick ooze slithered down the walls, and the smell of decay hung heavy in the air. Hanging from huge posts along the walkway, skeletons fluttered in the breeze. With every inch of her being, Una knew if she went in she’d not come out alive.
Renewing her struggles, she kicked and struck out, her nails digging furrows into the flesh of one who got too close. The rich metallic scent of blood stirred a faint hunger, her teeth aching with it.
“Wretched fleshling.” The male’s massive fist crashed into her face, sending shards of pain racing through her. “The master will decide what is to be done with you. If it were me...” He leaned closer, his rancid breath spilling over her face, making her gag. “I’d throw you to the eaters and let them feast upon your delicate flesh.” He trailed a gnarled, hairy knuckle down her cheek, plucking the gag out. “Alas, perhaps Master will be kinder to you and simply take your head.”
“You’ll not live to see the sunrise, you filthy beast,” Una spat. Her eyes met his and she swallowed hard. “Or rather your master will not live so long.”
The male’s eyes widened and he stepped back, a look of horror on his face. “Take her inside.”
Cold, dank, the interior of the structure offered little protection from the elements. Small fires burned in various pots along the corridor and the feeling of misery and suffering permeated the very stone. Pushed along, Una took in her surroundings, her heart racing with each step closer to the throne room. Stone carvings of mythical creatures stood in shadow, their faces twisted into horrifying visages. All were naked, some looked to have weapons buried within their bodies.
Females scurried along the walls, their nails scraping over stone. Cackles of mirth danced around Una’s head. She shivered when her guards jerked her to a standstill. A guard in rusted armor knocked quickly before being bid to enter.
The doors creaked open to reveal a massive room glowing with firelight. Atop a solid dais, a thick, coiled man lounged, his girth overflowing the arms of the chair, scales shimmered with each breath he took, slithering over the throne. Matted hair tangled with twigs and branches twisted around his head, falling past his shoulders. The wine he slurped dripped down the stained front of his beard to glisten on his skin.
Una turned her head in disgust when he belched as he waved them forward.
“What treasure do you bring me this day?”
“She’s a female we found, Master. Pretty.” The guard on her right patted her hair, his tongue sneaking out to lick along his lips as he studied her figure.
“Mmm. Indeed, a very pretty one. What does one such as you have here?”
“Pardon?” Una raised a brow. “Do you mean what business do I have here? I’m simply passing through on my way to another world.” The one I came from, if I can find my way back.
“No one comes to this plain. Not unless they seek what is not theirs.” He slithered from the seat, the floor groaning under his considerable weight. “Still, I might see my way to letting you go.”
“Save your offer.” Una stared at him, her stomach twisting with revulsion as the darkness of his soul draped itself over him. Greed, sloth, lust, all tangled in his heart, feeding the shadows of his evil. “My lord will avenge my death. And it will be death, I’ll not bow to your whims any more than I have to any other male’s.”
“Be still your tongue.” He grabbed her jaw, his head twisting as he studied her. “You are not immortal.” With a quick shove, he backed away. “I rule this domain, my will is supreme. Here we do not permit our females to go about clothed.” He nodded to the guards holding her. “I’m in a mood for a bit of sport.”
Una uttered a startled shriek as they ripped her satin robes from her body. Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at the slithering man lounging in his throne. “I shall make you suffer for this before my time has ended.”
He tipped his head back and roared with laughter. Around him, the others chuckled, their eyes darting between him and Una who ignored them as best she could. “You? Do tell me how you, a mortal female, is going to...” He leaned forward, his gaze landing on her crossed arms. “I did not tell you to cover yourself, wench!”
Una struggled against two of the males as they pulled her arms apart to reveal her heaving breasts. Nausea rolled within her stomach, and she wondered if she was to die. It would be preferable to— Her thoughts were interrupted by the shocked hiss coming from the dais.
“No, it cannot be!” He slammed a meaty fist down, cracking the stone. “How dare you bring me a damaged...no, not damaged. Marked. You, it would appear, are immortal then. So be it. Take her to the dungeon and prepare the pit. I’ve a mind to enjoy a roasted female this eve.” Fear tightened his voice until it cracked and he turned away from Una.
Una gasped as she was all but dragged from the room. Racing to keep up with the two guards, she stumbled down the slimy steps, deeper and deeper into the belly of the ruins. The rough stone floor scraped over tender knees as she was thrown into a small, squalid cell. The door slammed shut, leaving her huddled in the corner of the room, a low burning fury in her gut the only warmth.
“Gods above, please.” Una dropped her forehead to her upraised knees. “Do not let me die here. Liam, where are you, my stalwart knight?”
* * * *
“My lord, you cannot leave this frail to her fate. She deserves assistance.” Liam toyed with the hilt of a dagger, his mind replaying the sorceress’s cruelty as Una was thrown into the world of the Ghors. He had cut out the bitch’s heart and thrown it into the fire, relishing the pain in the woman’s face as death claimed her.
“You broke our most basic law, Liam.” Clayne, the king’s nephew, leaned toward Liam who stood in the middle of the massive throne room. Dragons from every clan circled the room. Many of them huddled together, whispering about the cast-out being before their king. “You brought one who is not of our kind—”
“She would have perished if I did not act.” Liam forced a calming breath. He didn’t need the king to pass judgment against him, but at the same time he wasn’t leaving without aide. The look of horror on Una’s face as she was pushed through the portal had kept him from his bed. There was an ache in his chest, a need that pushed him beyond any other instinct. He didn’t just want to find her, he needed to. He rubbed at his chest, hoping the king wouldn’t notice the faint scar which hadn’t healed completely. It was forbidden for a dragon to give another part of their flesh, and he’d risked much by giving her part of his one heart. That he’d taken part of hers made no difference, it was still breaking the law.
“She is mortal.” Clayne stepped forward. “You are dragon. What do we care for the mortal? Before you
took her in, she served Amuliana! That in itself is reason enough to cut out her heart.”
“Do not reprimand me for assisting her, Clayne. If I am not mistaken you yourself have claimed and even bedded a human!” Liam roared, the callous disregard in his prince’s voice sending him into a rage. “How dare you judge this girl? She is not simply another human. Una is special. She is more than human. She is beyond the pathetic mortals. I do not beg for an army.” Liam shook his head. “No, I simply ask for a bit of help to find a means to the world of the Ghors so I can—”
“Enough. My decision is final. I will not give a single resource to the aide of a human, one who has served a bitter enemy. If you are such a fool as to fall under her spell you may seek her, but not with my help,” the king roared.
Liam snarled, his fingers flexing on his sword hilt. Whirling, he glared at a single dragon female who stood too close. A flash of his teeth and she stepped back as he turned back to his king. “So be it. Your generosity shall be remembered.” Storming past the startled woman, Liam stumbled. Every muscle froze at the faint sound of a voice. No more than a whisper, it seemed to echo within the room. Turning slowly, he studied every shadow, every corner.
His scales ruffled, pressing against the human flesh he wore. The sweet taste of smoke curled over his tongue. He cared nothing for the manner of the enemy, if she’d returned without Una, he would have her head. His sword sang as he pulled it from the sheath, his eyes on the shadow behind Clayne.
“You are to threaten me?” Clayne roared, his frame shifting, stretching.
“Liam. Where does your heart lie? Do you question it?” As substantial as smoke, the shadow took shape, stepping through Clayne’s bristling body to meet Liam’s hard stare.
“What manner of demon are you? And where is she?” Liam spun the hilt of his weapon in his palm, advancing one measured step at a time.
A line of warriors hurried forward, weapons at the ready, their attention focused on the woman standing so carefree before them. She glanced at them for a moment before shrugging. “Liam, darlin’, have you no idea of who I am?”
“I do not care. Where is she?”
“Do you think I will tell you? I wouldn’t make it so easy, not for one such as you. A risk taker, a thrill seeker. Aye, if you desire to find your precious Una, you have the means within you.” She leaned forward, her ruby tipped finger tapping him on the chest. “Follow that which you have given and it shall guide you to her.” She turned away. “Oh, before I forget, my dear dragon. If you are true in your pursuit then do not worry about seducing her.”
“I have no time for your sorcery, tell me where she is.” Liam ignored the others as he advanced.
The soft laughter from the dark-haired woman only added to his ire. With a battle cry, he swung, his sword slicing through air as she vanished. Fury erupted within him, eating at his control. Ignoring the stunned faces around him, Liam whirled to stalk toward the door.
He slammed the massive throne doors behind him. Striding down the corridor, he froze, the hazy images before his eyes chilling him. Darkness danced, beyond it he could see shadows as they slithered against the walls. He shivered at the cold that wrapped itself around him. Liam blinked, choking back a wave of bile as he realized he knew where Una was.
With the knowledge came a twinge of fear and something darker. First things first, he needed to find a bit of coin and a gatekeeper. He knew where he could get the coin, the gatekeeper, however, was a bit trickier unless he could convince a sorceress to help him.
Better an unwilling gatekeeper than a sorceress.
Chapter 11
Una jerked awake, her heart racing. She licked at dry lips as she sat up. Her eyes scanned the darkness. With a start she blinked, certain her mind played tricks. Creeping through the shadows, their bodies wrapped in the long ties of her gown, several warriors carried a large cauldron of something.
Inching deeper into the shadows, she watched them set it down in the hallway and take out small, roughly carved wooden bowls. They ladled the slop into the bowls, scurrying up and down the corridor.
“Oh Liam, where are you? What in the...” She trailed off at the sounds of slurping. Inhaling, she caught the faint odor of others, of unwashed bodies. Pain soaked through the smells. For the first time since they’d locked her in she realized she wasn’t alone.
“Eat. Eat.” A twisted, bony hand pushed a bowl through the bars. “Master orders. Eat. Eat.”
Taking the dish, Una stared down into it. With each passing heartbeat she could make out more details. Her stomach revolted at what appeared to be a rat in the soup. Its head bobbed and spun as she stirred the liquid.
“Has he decided when he will kill me?” Una sank to the floor, a hiss escaping at the cool stone against bare skin. She set the revolting food aside and looked out the bars.
“It be rare. He so rarely orders death to the females.” One shuffled closer to the bars. “But you are not like others. You are different.”
Una snorted in derision. “Different? Then I would think he would hurry up with the killing.”
“Pit is not quite hot enough. Soon. Soon. Be wary, milady, do not trust to fates to save you,” the figure whispered before slithering away.
Una glanced up and gasped. A yawning hole of white flickered and danced within the figure’s chest. Purity was trapped by fear. Leaning closer, she caught the edge of a face and bit back a cry. Quickly, she scanned the others, finding goodness under the shadows of darkness wrapped around them.
“Perhaps an extra blanket?” A woman, hunched and wrinkled, scurried past, her bare breasts hanging down to her rotund belly.
“No.” Una shook her head. “I’ve no need for an extra blanket.” Ignoring the faint look of ire on the woman’s face, Una turned away. Plucking at her nails, she exhaled. She couldn’t leave it to another to save her. Rather it fell to her. Una stood, pacing the confines of the cell.
“How is it I can see so clearly? There has been no light,” she whispered even as she counted her steps. “What magic allows such a thing? I hunger but not for what they offer. Blood would be best. Aye, warm, from the vein, pumping onto my tongue. The flesh sweet with a hint of sweat, scales marred only by the icy touch of my lips upon them.” She shivered with pleasure at the thought and turned. Guilt swamped her, the very idea of dining upon blood abhorrent. “No, no. Not blood. It is forbidden. A plump roast with rich drippings and roots. Gods above, why now? What could be the cause of this need?” Soft, a thought danced through her mind, growing in volume as she stared at her trembling hands. Had Anagor done something with his bite? Had he infected her? Was that the reason behind her sudden thirst? No, surely it was impossible to become a vampire, they were myths, monsters—stories told to children to frighten them.
She jumped at the clatter of weapons on the floor and whirled at the first hint of light. Three guards bearing torches hurried forward, unlocking the cell and stepping inside.
“It is time?” she asked as one grabbed her arm. Hurrying with him, she took care to note her surroundings. If they tossed her back in that cell she would need every dram of reason to escape.
Her shoulder ached as she was all but dragged up the steps. She stumbled twice, but he simply pulled harder. Una tripped before she was able to right herself as he dragged her out of the darkness into the stale air above ground. She straightened and looked ahead. Her heart dropped in her chest. A massive pit roared with fire, pillars as tall as the sky stood with ropes dangling from them.
“Bring it forth.”
Swallowing against the rising tide of fear, Una stumbled forward under the guiding hand of her captor. She raised a hand to ward off the heat as they neared the flames. Instead of the searing pain she expected, the warmth seemed almost comfortable. The crackle and snap of the flames devouring wood welcomed like an old friend.
Mesmerized, she eased closer, her body drawing in the heat, soaking up like a sponge. She palmed her chest, her fingers tracing over her collarbone.
Step by step, she moved forward, her hand outstretched.
“Not so close.” One guard snarled, dragging her back a step.
Something snapped within her, some instinct long buried rose with brutal force. Whirling, Una slashed out, her eyes narrowed, her nails digging into the man’s face. Staring into his pain filled gaze, she licked the blood from her fingers and leaned closer. “Do not dare to speak to me, worm.” She shuddered, the sound of scales scraping together loud in the stunned silence.
“Remarkable. Such strength, such beauty.” The lord chortled. “Still, it is a pity to waste such a fine event. Have you anything to say in your defense?”
“Defense?” Una turned to stare the being lounging on a throne, his massive body coiled, the scales brushing together with each move he made. “What am I being condemned for? Nothing. This entire circumstance is a farce. Kill me and be done with it. My death will be avenged, of that I can assure you.”
“Do you think your death is anything beyond what is here? Your kind cannot come to this world. No dragon shall cross the boundary and risk the wrath of my subjects. No parasite would dare come where their death would be assured. There is no hunting, no feeding here beyond myself.”
Una swallowed back a bitter retort and smirked. “My sentence?”
“Into the fires of Cocytus to burn for eternity.”
Fear shattered her composure for a split second. She gaped in horror before turning to stare into the flames. Still, it wasn’t the fire that terrified her. Nay, Una realized, it was how readily the fat snake was to throw her in. Straightening, she met his stare with what she hoped was a serene expression. Her eyes locked with his as she inched forward, her steps measured. His confidence faded with each step until he looked terrified. The flames leaped high, as though reaching for her. Advancing, Una could feel a tightening in her chest, feel a deep, searing burn that seemed to come from the inside.