The Warlord's Demand

by Irene Danger

  Of-a-course,-a-it-a-was-a-that-a-idiot-a-Cadeon,-a-who-a-wouldn't-a-let-a-her-a-do-a-what-a-her-a-Goddess-a-had-a-crafted-a-her-a-to-a-do.-a-Kill-a-anyone-a-who-a-crossed-a-her.-a-He-a-was-a-dangerously-a-close-a-to-a-being-a-next.

  "Unhand-a-me,-a-now."-a-She-a-seethed,-a-trying-a-again-a-to-a-shake-a-him-a-off-a-but-a-he-a-was-a-unrelenting.

  "You're-a-outnumbered,-a-as-a-you-a-can-a-very-a-well-a-see.-a-You've-a-been-a-given-a-a-a-second-a-chance—use-a-it-a-please,-a-I-a-beg-a-of-a-you."-a-He-a-said-a-lowly,-a-the-a-men-a-he-a-had-a-brought-a-in-a-behind-a-him-a-looking-a-ready-a-to-a-do-a-battle.

  She-a-spun-a-on-a-him,-a-the-a-sudden-a-movement-a-catching-a-the-a-attention-a-of-a-a-a-shieldmaiden.-a-Her-a-coaled-eyes-a-looked-a-over-a-Cadeon's-a-hand-a-on-a-her-a-shoulder-a-and-a-narrowed.

  "Siyura,-a-let-a-me-a-escort-a-you,"-a-he-a-said-a-softly-a-and-a-she-a-almost-a-slapped-a-him,-a-"if-a-you-a-do-a-this-a-now—you're-a-going-a-to-a-give-a-him-a-exactly-a-what-a-he-a-wants."

  "I.-a-Don't.-a-Care."-a-She-a-bit-a-back,-a-her-a-skin-a-shivering-a-uncontrollably.

  "But-a-you-a-should.-a-For-a-your-a-sister,-a-you-a-should."-a-He-a-said.

  The-a-air-a-around-a-her-a-stilled-a-and-a-she-a-looked-a-upon-a-his-a-face...knowing-a-he-a-was-a-right.-a-She-a-was-a-forgetting-a-herself,-a-forgetting-a-the-a-important-a-things-a-that-a-needed-a-to-a-be-a-done-a-before-a-she-a-willingly-a-walked-a-to-a-her-a-death.

  "Let's-a-go."-a-He-a-said-a-pulling-a-her-a-back-a-toward-a-the-a-kitchen-a-entrance-a-and-a-away-a-from-a-the-a-source-a-of-a-her-a-animosity.

  Umla,-a-who-a-was-a-in-a-deep-a-conversation-a-with-a-one-a-of-a-the-a-main-a-cooks,-a-looked-a-up,-a-her-a-brows-a-crashing-a-over-a-her-a-eyes,-a-"And-a-just-a-where-a-do-a-you-a-think-a-you're-a-taking-a-her?-a-She-a-has-a-to-a-help-a-clean—"

  Cadeon-a-held-a-his-a-hand-a-up-a-for-a-her-a-silence-a-and-a-continued-a-past-a-her-a-into-a-the-a-room-a-she-a-shared-a-with-a-Lyda.

  He-a-thrust-a-her-a-in-a-and-a-she-a-expected-a-him-a-to-a-lock-a-her-a-in-a-but-a-instead-a-he-a-shut-a-the-a-door-a-and-a-leaned-a-his-a-forehead-a-against-a-the-a-door,-a-his-a-back-a-to-a-her.

  "You-a-shouldn't-a-be-a-interfering!-a-And-a-why-a-have-a-you-a-taken-a-me-a-here?"-a-She-a-shouted,-a-her-a-hands-a-shaking-a-with-a-anger.

  She-a-saw-a-his-a-massive-a-shoulders-a-move-a-and-a-he-a-turned-a-to-a-her,-a-his-a-green-a-eyes-a-narrowed.

  "You're-a-being-a-stupid.-a-For-a-someone-a-who-a-is-a-supposed-a-to-a-be-a-a-a-brilliant-a-tactician,-a-you're-a-going-a-to-a-fall-a-right-a-into-a-his-a-hands."

  Siyura-a-held-a-up-a-her-a-wrist,-a-the-a-charms-a-clattering-a-against-a-one-a-another,-a-"Too-a-late,-a-Cadeon.-a-I-a-already-a-have!"

  Cadeon-a-ran-a-his-a-fingers-a-through-a-his-a-hair,-a-"That's-a-not-a-what-a-I-a-mean.-a-I'm-a-going-a-to-a-explain-a-this-a-to-a-you-a-once,-a-Siyura,-a-and-a-if-a-you-a-choose-a-not-a-to-a-listen-a-then-a-it's-a-going-a-to-a-fall-a-on-a-your-a-shoulders.-a-The-a-Warlord-a-doesn't-a-make-a-decisions-a-to-a-make-a-them.-a-Do-a-you-a-think-a-it's-a-absentmindedness-a-that-a-he's-a-letting-a-you-a-be-a-a-a-domestic-a-servant?-a-He-a-always-a-has-a-a-a-motive,-a-Siyura,-a-always,-a-and-a-if-a-you-a-do-a-not-a-start-a-to-a-think-a-reasonably-a-he-a-won't-a-need-a-a-a-reason-a-to-a-ruin-a-you."

  Siyura-a-crossed-a-her-a-arms-a-over-a-her-a-chest,-a-"He-a-already-a-has-a-one."

  Even-a-as-a-she-a-said-a-it,-a-Cadeon-a-was-a-shaking-a-his-a-head,-a-"This-a-isn't-a-just-a-political-a-punishment.-a-He-a-likes-a-to-a-break-a-and-a-control-a-things."

  She-a-pointed-a-her-a-finger-a-at-a-his-a-chest,-a-"Are-a-you-a-speaking-a-from-a-experience?"

  Her-a-tone-a-was-a-condescending-a-and-a-she-a-felt-a-in-a-the-a-back-a-of-a-her-a-mind-a-that-a-she-a-needed-a-to-a-be-a-careful.-a-Cadeon-a-was...her-a-only-a-ally.-a-A-a-tentative-a-one-a-but-a-one-a-all-a-the-a-same.

  Cadeon-a-looked-a-at-a-her-a-without-a-blinking,-a-"I've...seen-a-it.-a-And-a-it's-a-not-a-something-a-you'll-a-want-a-to-a-see-a-again.-a-He'll-a-take-a-your-a-insecurities-a-and-a-use-a-them-a-to-a-warp-a-you."

  She-a-raised-a-her-a-chin,-a-"No-a-one-a-will-a-ever-a-control-a-me.-a-Do-a-you-a-not-a-understand-a-what's-a-happened-a-to-a-me?-a-I've-a-lost-a-my-a-home,-a-my-a-family,-a-my-a-friends!-a-I-a-have-a-nothing!"

  He-a-moved-a-away-a-from-a-the-a-wall-a-quickly-a-and-a-if-a-she-a-hadn't-a-been-a-trained-a-to-a-stay-a-her-a-ground-a-she-a-would-a-have-a-moved-a-back.-a-Cadeon's-a-large-a-hands-a-cupped-a-the-a-sides-a-of-a-her-a-face,-a-"I-a-do-a-understand,-a-that-a-I-a-can-a-assure-a-you.-a-I-a-recognize-a-the-a-fire,-a-I-a-don't-a-want-a-you-a-to-a-be-a-broken."

  Siyura-a-could-a-see-a-the-a-air-a-of-a-sadness-a-of-a-the-a-things-a-he-a-didn't-a-say.-a-The-a-tragedy-a-of-a-being-a-lost-a-and-a-uprooted-a-in-a-the-a-lines-a-of-a-his-a-face.

  They-a-froze-a-together,-a-pieces-a-connected-a-by-a-the-a-inevitable,-a-and-a-shared-a-hopelessness.

  Cadeon-a-didn't-a-ask-a-her-a-before-a-he-a-kissed-a-her,-a-his-a-tongue-a-pushing-a-past-a-her-a-lips.-a-He-a-tasted-a-like-a-wine-a-and-a-Siyura-a-flattened-a-her-a-hands-a-over-a-his-a-shoulders,-a-kissing-a-him-a-back—finding-a-solace-a-in-a-the-a-strength-a-of-a-him.-a-For-a-a-a-moment,-a-she-a-felt-a-like-a-she-a-didn't-a-have-a-to-a-stand-a-tall-a-on-a-her-a-own.

  It-a-was-a-a-a-superficial-a-safety.-a-A-a-fairytale.

  She-a-pushed-a-against-a-him,-a-their-a-breath-a-coming-a-hard-a-and-a-intermingling.-a-Cadeon-a-leaned-a-back-a-in-a-and-a-nipped-a-at-a-her-a-bottom-a-lip.

  "I-a-need-a-to-a-leave.-a-Please,-a-sleep-a-well."-a-He-a-kissed-a-her-a-one-a-more-a-time-a-and-a-left.

  Siyura-a-wrapped-a-her-a-arms-a-around-a-herself,-a-afraid-a-if-a-she-a-moved-a-from-a-her-a-spot,-a-she-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-splinter.

  She-a-heard-a-the-a-door-a-creak-a-and-a-thought-a-Cadeon-a-had-a-come-a-back,-a-instead-a-it-a-was-a-Umla.-a-Her-a-thick-a-hands-a-wrapped-a-in-a-a-a-rag-a-from-a-the-a-kitchen-a-and-a-her-a-skin-a-was-a-dull-a-now-a-that-a-the-a-sweat-a-had-a-cooled.

  "You-a-were-a-supposed-a-to-a-help-a-clean."-a-She-a-said-a-flatly.

  Siyura-a-didn't-a-have-a-the-a-energy-a-to-a-argue-a-with-a-the-a-older-a-woman,-a-"I-a-apologize,-a-I'll-a-make-a-it-a-up-a-to-a-you-a-in-a-the-a-morning."

  Umla-a-raised-a-her-a-brows,-a-"I-a-doubt-a-it.-a-You-a-did-a-kill-a-a-a-man-a-after-a-all."

  Siyura-a-said-a-nothing,-a-already-a-feeling-a-dread-a-coming-a-over-a-her.-a-Her-a-meeting-a-with-a-Warlord-a-was-a-inevitable.

  Her-a-eyes-a-looked-a-distant.-a-"Be-a-careful-a-of-a-him."-a-She-a-whispered.

  Siyura-a-tilted-a-her-a-head,-a-"Cadeon?-a-What-a-do-a-you-a-mean?"

  Umla-a-step-a-forward-a-a-a-bit,-a-nervousness-a-apparent,-a-"You-a-need-a-to-a-be-a-careful-a-of-a-him.-a-He-a-is-a-used-a-to-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-violence,-a-he-a-will-a-do-a-whatever-a-is-a-asked-a-of-a-him.-a-Even-a-the-a-heartless-a-have-a-people-a-who-a-love-a-them."

  With-a-that-a-she-a-left-a-with-a-a-a-speed-a-that-a-one-a-would-a-not-a-expect-a-of-a-someone-a-her-a-age.

  Siyura-a-took-a-her-a-clothes-a-off-a-and-a-got-a-ready-a-for-a-bed.-a-She-a-couldn't-a-help-a-but-a-feel-a-victory-a-stir-a-in-a-her-a-chest.-a-They-a-were-a-already-a-underestimating-a-her.-a-If-a-Cadeon-a-thought-a-that-a-she-a-would-a-abandoned-a-herself-a-to-a-this-a-fate-a-because-a-he-a-kissed-a-her—then-a-his-a-naivety-a-would-a-be-a-a-a-great-a-advantage-a-for-a-her.

  They-a-would-a-never-a-deter-a-her-a-or-a-break-a-her.-a-She-a-only-a-allowed-a-herself-a-two-a-alternatives:-a-escape-a-or-a-death.

  Madness-a-in-a-Blood-a-Ch.-a-04

  Tryxoth-a-watched-a-as-a-the-a-ruby-a-shard-a-she-a-balanced-a-on-a-a-a-black-a-ribbon,-a-turned-a-and-a-flitted-a-with-a-muted-a-magic.

  It-a-was-a-critical-a-that-a-she-a-find-a-Princess-a-Arelia-a-or-a-she-a-was-a-sure-a-the-a-next-a-person-a-to-a-have-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-wrath-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-be-a-her.-a-She-a-was-a-having-a-more-a-difficulty-a-than-a-usual-a-and-a-that-a-pissed-a-her-a-off.-a-Magic-a-wasn't-a-answering-a-her-a-call-a-as-a-easily-a-as-a-it-a-had-a-once.-a-After-a-a-a-wave-a-of-a-prejudice-a-inflamed-a-a-a-panic-a-against-a-those-a-who-a-could-a-wield-a-magic,-a-all-a-that-a-was-
a-left-a-were-a-dead-a-bodies.

  And-a-she-a-had-a-been-a-cut-a-off-a-from-a-the-a-source-a-that-a-made-a-her-a-powerful,-a-the-a-magic-a-she-a-now-a-wielded-a-minimal-a-compared-a-to-a-what-a-she-a-had.

  Her-a-coven-a-long-a-burned,-a-long-a-buried.

  But-a-something-a-rare-a-had-a-come-a-across-a-her-a-table—something-a-that-a-she-a-had-a-only-a-heard-a-in-a-midnight-a-tales-a-spoken-a-to-a-the-a-night-a-sky-a-to-a-scare-a-children.

  She-a-had-a-never-a-felt-a-inferiority,-a-never-a-felt-a-that-a-she-a-wasn't-a-enough-a-until-a-that-a-witch-a-had-a-landed-a-on-a-her-a-table.

  She-a-had-a-never-a-thought-a-she-a-would-a-meet-a-a-a-Sarca-a-witch.

  Tryxoth-a-had-a-touched-a-her-a-skin-a-and-a-felt-a-the-a-wild,-a-bloodthirsty-a-magic-a-that-a-was-a-like-a-energy-a-moving-a-the-a-ground-a-below-a-them-a-with-a-a-a-force-a-of-a-the-a-Gods.-a-It-a-was-a-like-a-a-a-lull-a-that-a-had-a-pulled-a-her-a-under-a-and-a-she-a-hadn't-a-been-a-able-a-to-a-help-a-herself-a-from-a-touching-a-the-a-witch.

  Tryxoth-a-had-a-fought,-a-secretly,-a-from-a-having-a-her-a-end-a-up-a-in-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-hands.-a-The-a-Silver-a-witch-a-was-a-not-a-going-a-to-a-come-a-out-a-the-a-same-a-because-a-she-a-didn't-a-have-a-her-a-magic-a-to-a-defend-a-herself.-a-Tryxoth-a-had-a-to-a-make-a-three-a-sets-a-of-a-cuffs-a-before-a-she-a-had-a-nearly-a-drained-a-herself-a-making-a-the-a-fourth.-a-Siyura-a-had-a-been-a-too-a-strong.

  It-a-had-a-been-a-a-a-surprise-a-that-a-she-a-was-a-able-a-to-a-contain-a-her-a-magic-a-at-a-all.-a-Tryxoth-a-was-a-torn-a-between-a-wanting-a-to-a-make-a-sure-a-the-a-witch-a-was-a-secured-a-for-a-further-a-study-a-and-a-the-a-slight-a-guilt-a-that-a-those-a-cuffs-a-might-a-cause-a-more-a-damage-a-than-a-the-a-Warlord-a-himself.

  But,-a-she-a-owed-a-that-a-dangerous-a-male-a-and-a-though-a-her-a-conscious-a-was-a-underdeveloped-a-she-a-would-a-do-a-what-a-he-a-asked.

  Tryxoth-a-glanced-a-at-a-the-a-table-a-and-a-had-a-a-a-sudden-a-thought.-a-It-a-was-a-very-a-probable-a-that-a-Siyura-a-had-a-hidden-a-Arelia-a-herself.-a-No-a-doubt-a-she-a-had-a-been-a-very-a-thorough...and-a-Tryxoth-a-wasn't-a-too-a-mighty-a-to-a-think-a-that-a-she-a-could-a-figure-a-out-a-Siyura's-a-thought-a-process.

  However,-a-she-a-was-a-tactical.-a-Walking-a-over-a-to-a-the-a-table,-a-she-a-smiled-a-triumphantly.-a-On-a-the-a-corner-a-of-a-her-a-crafting-a-table-a-was-a-a-a-few-a-strands-a-of-a-dark-a-hair-a-wrapped-a-around-a-the-a-lip-a-of-a-a-a-bolt.-a-There-a-was-a-only-a-one-a-person-a-who-a-had-a-been-a-on-a-this-a-table.

  She-a-plucked-a-the-a-hair-a-and-a-slowly-a-wrapped-a-around-a-it-a-around-a-the-a-ruby.-a-She-a-turned-a-back-a-to-a-the-a-laid-out-a-map-a-of-a-the-a-realm-a-and-a-concentrated-a-again.

  The-a-ruby-a-slowly-a-spun-a-with-a-the-a-lackluster-a-energy-a-she-a-could-a-provide-a-it...and-a-then-a-it-a-changed.-a-The-a-ruby-a-pulled-a-at-a-the-a-ribbon-a-until-a-it-a-became-a-tight,-a-as-a-if-a-the-a-ribbon-a-had-a-grown-a-from-a-the-a-chard.-a-It-a-vibrated-a-in-a-her-a-hand-a-and-a-she-a-almost-a-let-a-it-a-go-a-when-a-it-a-started-a-to-a-burn.

  When-a-Tryxoth-a-thought-a-she-a-could-a-not-a-stand-a-it-a-anymore,-a-the-a-ruby-a-flew-a-out-a-of-a-her-a-hand-a-and-a-landed-a-on-a-a-a-spot-a-on-a-the-a-map.-a-One-a-she-a-had-a-never-a-thought-a-to-a-consider.

  She-a-smiled,-a-"There-a-you-a-are-a-little-a-princess."

  ****

  Her-a-mama-a-was-a-standing-a-over-a-her.-a-It-a-wasn't-a-that-a-strange—but-a-it-a-still-a-scared-a-her-a-every-a-single-a-time.-a-She-a-would-a-do-a-this,-a-sometimes...-a-watch-a-her-a-sleep.-a-She-a-never-a-knew-a-what-a-she-a-had-a-done-a-to-a-make-a-her-a-mama-a-look-a-at-a-her-a-that-a-way.-a-She-a-hadn't-a-been-a-bad,-a-had-a-she?-a-She-a-washed-a-her-a-hands-a-before-a-she-a-ate-a-and-a-brushed-a-her-a-mama's-a-hair-a-just-a-the-a-way-a-she-a-liked-a-it.-a-She-a-didn't-a-snag-a-it-a-or-a-anything.

  But—there-a-had-a-to-a-be-a-something-a-Siyura-a-wasn't-a-doing-a-right.-a-Something-a-that-a-made-a-her-a-mama-a-mad.

  Siyura-a-peeked-a-out-a-from-a-under-a-her-a-blanket,-a-shivering-a-at-a-the-a-flash-a-of-a-silver-a-at-a-her-a-mother's-a-side.-a-The-a-older-a-woman-a-was-a-swaying-a-from-a-side-a-to-a-side-a-and-a-staring-a-hard-a-at-a-her.

  Suddenly-a-a-a-hand—clawed-a-and-a-ugly-a-pulled-a-her-a-out-a-from-a-under-a-the-a-blankets.

  "Run,-a-little-a-girl,-a-run."-a-She-a-heard-a-her-a-slur-a-maliciously,-a-the-a-austere-a-square-a-knife-a-raised-a-over-a-her-a-shoulder—scaring-a-her-a-so-a-badly-a-she-a-messed-a-herself...

  *****

  Siyura-a-awoke,-a-a-a-hand-a-gripped-a-in-a-her-a-hair,-a-pulling-a-her-a-from-a-where-a-she-a-slept.-a-Tightening-a-on-a-her-a-scalp,-a-she-a-was-a-yanked-a-across-a-the-a-stone-a-floor.

  "Let-a-me-a-go!"-a-she-a-demanded-a-and-a-heard-a-a-a-low-a-dismissive-a-sound.

  She-a-reached-a-up-a-wrapping-a-her-a-hand-a-around-a-a-a-thick-a-wrist,-a-trying-a-to-a-alleviate-a-the-a-searing-a-pain.

  "Damn-a-you!-a-I-a-said-a-let-a-me-a-go!"-a-she-a-screamed-a-again-a-and-a-blessedly-a-landed-a-in-a-a-a-heap-a-on-a-the-a-floor.

  "Is-a-that-a-better?"-a-The-a-Warlord-a-asked-a-her.

  She-a-was-a-on-a-her-a-knees,-a-ignoring-a-the-a-uneven-a-stone-a-biting-a-into-a-her-a-skin.-a-She-a-threaded-a-her-a-fingers-a-into-a-her-a-hair-a-rubbing-a-at-a-her-a-scalp.-a-She-a-could-a-see-a-his-a-heavy-a-boots-a-through-a-the-a-screen-a-of-a-her-a-hair,-a-metal-a-tipped-a-and-a-braced-a-apart.

  The-a-skin-a-on-a-her-a-back-a-tightened,-a-that-a-inevitably-a-she-a-felt-a-earlier,-a-catching-a-up-a-with-a-her.

  "Fuck-a-you."-a-She-a-panted.

  She-a-felt-a-his-a-foot-a-come-a-down-a-hard-a-on-a-her-a-back,-a-pressing-a-her-a-back-a-into-a-the-a-stone.-a-She-a-clenched-a-her-a-teeth-a-against-a-the-a-pressure-a-but-a-did-a-not-a-give-a-him-a-the-a-satisfaction-a-of-a-squirming.-a-He-a-gave-a-her-a-a-a-small-a-reprieve-a-but-a-pulled-a-her-a-hands-a-behind-a-her-a-back.

  "No!"-a-she-a-screeched-a-when-a-cold-a-manacles-a-enclosed-a-her-a-wrist.-a-He-a-ignored-a-her-a-and-a-lifted-a-her-a-up-a-to-a-stand-a-and-a-face-a-him.

  He-a-had-a-brought-a-her-a-to-a-a-a-room-a-she-a-had-a-never-a-been-a-in-a-before.-a-It-a-mimicked-a-the-a-shape-a-of-a-her-a-sleeping-a-chamber-a-so-a-she-a-figured-a-she-a-wasn't-a-too-a-far-a-away-a-from-a-the-a-rest-a-of-a-the-a-servants.-a-There-a-was-a-a-a-single-a-chair-a-and-a-a-a-stout-a-looking-a-table-a-that-a-had-a-a-a-stain-a-in-a-the-a-middle.-a-On-a-a-a-square-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-her-a-was-a-a-a-drain.

  "At-a-last-a-Lady-a-Siyura,-a-you-a-and-a-I-a-have-a-the-a-chance-a-to-a-get-a-to-a-know-a-one-a-another."-a-He-a-said-a-his-a-voice-a-crisp-a-with-a-the-a-accent-a-that-a-belonged-a-to-a-Haldane's-a-aristocracy.

  Siyura-a-fought-a-to-a-take-a-a-a-step-a-back-a-from-a-him-a-but-a-controlled-a-herself.-a-He-a-was-a-still-a-in-a-his-a-formal,-a-military-a-attire.-a-He-a-embodied-a-his-a-status-a-of-a-Warlord-a-and-a-everything-a-she-a-had-a-come-a-to-a-learn-a-about-a-him.-a-A-a-small-a-sliver-a-of-a-apprehension-a-coursed-a-through-a-her-a-as-a-she-a-remembered-a-what-a-Cadeon-a-had-a-told-a-her.

  This-a-male-a-like-a-to-a-break-a-things.

  "So,"-a-he-a-said-a-as-a-if-a-they-a-were-a-at-a-dinner-a-requiring,-a-"I-a-finally-a-get-a-the-a-chance-a-to-a-meet-a-the-a-mythical-a-Silver-a-witch.-a-Should-a-I-a-be-a-worried-a-about-a-my-a-animals-a-dying?-a-Will-a-there-a-be-a-children-a-born-a-with-a-missing-a-bones-a-in-a-their-a-heads?"-a-He-a-lowered-a-himself-a-into-a-the-a-chair,-a-relaxed-a-as-a-if-a-he-a-had-a-plenty-a-of-a-time-a-to-a-spare.

  She-a-shook-a-her-a-hair-a-out-a-of-a-her-a-face,-a-"Of-a-course-a-not.-a-I-a-prefer-a-to-a-take-a-heads."

  He-a-leaned-a-back,-a-"Careful-a-witch,-a-it-a-may-a-very-a-well-a-be-a-your-a-head."

  Siyura-a-lifted-a-her-a-face-a-in-a-defiance,-a-"I'm-a-here-a-for-a-a-a-reason,-a-correct?-a-You've-a-gone-a-through-a-so-a-much-a-to-a-get-a-me.-a-Don't-a-insult-a-me-a-by-a-suggesting-a-all-a-your-a-hard-a-work-a-would-a-go-a-to-a-waste."