"Damn…you!"
She fought to break free, but he only squeezed harder. His harsh laughter filled her world. Ilanna choked out a cry of pain and terror. Can't breathe! Her vision swam and her legs sagged.
His grip on her throat loosened. Air rushed into her lungs. She slumped to the floor with a gasp. Sabat tangled his fingers in her hair and hauled her roughly to her feet. "Look at him! Look at your little friend." He twisted her face toward Ethen's unmoving body. "He died for you. He died because of you!"
"No!" Fear twisted like a knife in her gut.
"Yes. He was foolish enough to attack me, all because of you. He died because you were stupid enough to stand up to me."
"Someone…had…to." She lashed out with her elbow, striking empty air.
His fingers wrapped around her throat again and squeezed. "It's your fault!" He dropped his voice to a cruel whisper. "He'd still be alive if it weren't for you."
She wanted to deny it, but couldn't. Ethen had gone after Sabat out of revenge for hurting her. If not for her, Ethen would be alive. Acid daggers twisted in her gut. It is my fault.
"And now," Sabat snarled, "isn't it fitting that he watch what I'm about to do to you."
His grip on her throat loosened and he hurled her forward. She crashed into Ethen's bed and collapsed to the floor with a cry. Agony radiated from her injured hip. She struggled to climb to her feet, but her legs refused to cooperate.
Sabat lifted her bodily and slammed her face-first into the stone wall of the room. "This is what you get for denying me my place in the Night Guild!" Again and again, he pounded her against the wall. "This is what happens when you stand in my way."
Ilanna's world spun; her vision blurred. She felt his grip on her arms loosen. She slumped, striking the ground hard. Blood filled her mouth and streamed down her face. Everything spun around her; she couldn't see, couldn't think.
Sabat's leering face filled her vision. "I should have taught you a lesson long ago." His fetid, alcohol-soaked breath added to the terrified churning of her stomach. "You don't belong in the Night Guild! You're a woman, not a thief. You're good for nothing but being a whore!"
Ilanna spat blood between broken lips.
Sabat struck her hard across the face, once, twice, three times. "Do you know what happens to whores, little Hawk? I do. My father showed me many times what a real man does. And now, I'm going to show you."
Blood running cold, she fumbled for the knife Master Hawk had given her.
Sabat's hand closed around hers. "Oh no you don't!" He twisted and pain raced up her forearm. She screamed. Seizing her throat, he lifted her from the floor and slammed her into the wall. Her head struck hard and everything spun.
He ground her face into the stone. "Can't have the Hawk using her talon!" With one hand, he jerked her arms around behind her back and ripped her shoulders from their sockets with a sickening pop. A shriek of agony burst from her lips. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Sabat laughed. "Yes, scream for me, little Hawk! Scream all you want. No one can hear you. Everyone is enjoying themselves at the celebration—your celebration. But while they're drinking and feasting, we'll be in here." He bit down hard on her ear and she cried out in pain. "Just the two of us."
He threw her face-first to the floor. Blood streamed down her face and filled her mouth. Her head ached from the pounding and the agony in her shoulders threatened to steal her consciousness. Terror coursed through her, setting her heart racing. Have…to get…away! Can't let him…kill me!
Sabat's foot crunched down on her neck. "You won't get away that easily, girl." Something slammed into the back of her head, smashing her face into the floor. Dust mixed with the blood in her mouth, muffling her cries and cutting off her air.
Sabat seized her ankles and jerked her legs apart. Ilanna screamed anew at the agony in her injured hip. Her cries echoed in the room.
Sabat added his harsh laughter to her symphony of horror and pain. "Wonderful, isn't it? Mother always screamed like that. Father said that's how he knew she enjoyed it. Are you enjoying it, little Hawk?" His hardness pressed against her thighs and his breath came fast. His voice dropped to a throaty whisper. "Remember this, little Hawk: you're only getting what you deserve!"
* * *
"Ilanna, can you hear me?" Denber hovered over her bedside. "Please, Ilanna, talk to me."
She shut her eyes. She didn't want to see him, much less speak to him. She knew he meant well, but she just wanted him to leave her alone. She lay as unmoving as Ethen the last time she'd seen him.
"Come on, Ilanna. We're all here."
A hand squeezed hers. Shivering, she recoiled from the contact. Even the slightest touch reminded her of him. Can't they understand I don't want them here? Why can't they leave me alone? She couldn't bring herself to tell them to go. Not a word had passed her lips in a week, not since…
A shadow fell across her. "It's Willem, Ilanna. Lem. Remember us?"
"Please, Ilanna." Werrin added his voice to the chorus. "Talk to us. Let us know you're still there. Let us know you're all right."
She wasn't. She wouldn't be ever again. Not after what Sabat had done to her.
"Come on, lads. Let's let her rest."
"But Denber, she's been like this for days. Tyman says—"
"Shut up, Lem! She needs her rest."
She was glad she couldn't see their faces. Bandages covered her swollen, battered eyes, hiding her from their pitying expressions. The pity in their voices made her sick enough.
Denber patted her arm. "We'll be back a bit later, Ilanna. Get some rest."
The gentle touch sent revulsion coursing through her, making her skin crawl. Even the slightest movement brought on the waves of pain. She could only lie still and wish the world would leave her in peace. Peace. What a cruel joke!
The footsteps retreated and the door swung closed. With the return of silence came the images. The moment flashed before her eyes a hundred times, a thousand. She relived the excruciating agony of her shoulders being torn from their sockets, her hip twisted out of place. Panic followed terror for her life. But it was as nothing compared to the pain that came next.
She burned with humiliation and shame. She refused to ask who'd found her or in what state—she would never be able to meet their eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she wouldn't wipe them away. Perhaps if she lay still enough, she would slip into the Long Keeper's embrace. She would be with Ethen and would never have to face her fellows of the Night Guild. Better die than live with the images etched forever into her memory.
How was I so foolish to believe I could make a place in the Night Guild? A woman, surrounded by men. If Sabat, an apprentice, could hurt her so, what would happen now that she was a full Journeyman? Would others do the same to her? Is this my future?
Hopelessness rendered her immobile. She couldn't move, any more than she could bring Ethen back to life.
Sabat had killed both of them that night.
* * *
"I can't believe it!" Denber paced around the room, hands flying. "They're not going to do a damned thing about him."
In the two weeks since Ethen's death, Ilanna hadn't broken her silence. She lay deathly still, only her eyes moving.
"He's been bragging all through House Bloodbear about 'putting you in your place'. And he's being smart about it." He growled. "Bastard keeps his mouth shut when the House Masters or Journeymen are around. But when he's with the apprentices, he can't stop talking about 'teaching you a lesson'."
Though the pain had faded, the shame and humiliation remained. She couldn't meet Denber's eyes—couldn't meet any of her companions' eyes. Not after what Sabat had done. He'd disgraced her beyond anything the others could understand. They would never know what it meant to be violated the way Sabat had violated her.
She squeezed her eyes shut, but the leering face returned. Sabat's harsh whisper echoed in her mind. "Remember, little Hawk: you deserve this."
Angry tears sli
pped down her cheeks. What did I do to deserve THAT? She'd humiliated him in front of his peers, but that had happened years ago. Was it all because she'd refused to cower in fear?
No. It's not my fault. It's yours, you twisted bastard! He had chosen to harm her, to take out his anger and frustration on her. Could she have done something to prevent it? If so, what? She'd replayed that night over and over again in her head, and could find no answer.
Denber was still speaking. "Worst of all, because he's an apprentice, there is to be no formal inquiry into his actions. Everyone knows he did it, but there's no proof."
The Night Guild's one rule: don't get caught. The Guild would do nothing unless she could prove what he had done. It didn't matter that she was a Journeyman and he an apprentice. With no witnesses, it's my word against his.
"Don't you understand, Ilanna? He's going to get away with it!"
Ilanna offered no reply. Scowling, Denber stormed out, snarling curses and slamming the door behind him.
A maelstrom seethed in Ilanna's mind. He can't go unpunished. Not after what he did to me and to Ethen.
But what could she do? How could she stop it from happening again? She'd been powerless to stop him that night. She couldn't match his size or strength. He'd proved that. He'd made her his victim.
What, then? He can't get off that easy. She needed justice for his actions. If not justice, vengeance. What he'd done could never be forgiven or forgotten. If the Night Guild wouldn't act, she would take matters into her own hands.
For the first time in weeks, Ilanna spoke. "I…will do…what…I…must."
The words came out in a cracked, weak murmur, but the sound of her voice filled her with determination. "I…will…live…one more day." She whispered the words over and over.
The fire of fury coursed through her veins. Her head spun as she sat up, but she gritted her teeth against the nausea and pain. Weak from eating next to nothing, she could hardly stand. Her legs trembled as she forced herself to her feet.
I will be his last victim. For too long, the Night Guild had allowed him to act without consequence. Now, he'd gone too far. He'd taken everything from her. He will answer for his crimes.
Chapter Forty-Four
Ilanna's stomach churned at the familiar stench of her old house. Beneath the sour odor of dust, the reek of the rotting corpse filled the kitchen. She forced herself not to flinch as a shadow fell across the doorway.
"I got your message, girl. What do you want?"
Ilanna stood beside her mother's stuffed couch, her eyes downcast, hands clasped meekly by her side. "I-I…" She didn't lift her gaze to meet Sabat's.
The Bloodbear said nothing for a long time. "I'm not going to lie. Your note came as a bit of a surprise. From what I know about you…"
Ilanna remained silent. Her message should have convinced him of what she wanted. She'd all but spelled it out for him.
"But it's like Father always said, 'Show a woman her place and she'll be grateful for it.'" He seized her chin and twisted her face up toward him. He glared at her, his eyes wary. "Is that the case, little Hawkling? Did my lesson sink home? Have you learned your place in the world?"
"Y-Yes," Ilanna whispered. "Please, Sabat, I…" She licked her lips, suppressing a shudder at his touch.
His skeptical expression slowly turned to triumph. "You want it, don't you?" He pressed himself against her.
Ilanna nodded and her lips parted. "Y-Yes…"
Sabat leered at her, seizing her roughly by the throat. "Sick of your weak little Scorpion, are you? You've gotten a taste for a real man."
Ilanna's eyelids drooped, her breath coming in shallow pants. "Please. Please, Sabat."
Sabat's lips crushed hers, his breath fetid and reeking of liquor. His hands roamed down her back. He pawed at her, making no effort to be gentle. He broke away after what seemed an eternity, his shallow breathing matching hers. She could feel him hard against her leg. "Well, well, little Hawkling. I'd say I'm surprised, but that'd be a lie. Father always did have a way with whores."
Ilanna dropped her gaze, hunching her shoulders.
"Oh, did that word offend you?"
She shook her head. Her fingernails dug into her arms, her knuckles turning white.
"Of course not." He whispered in her ear, his breath hot, his voice harsh. "Because that's exactly what you are, isn't that right, little Hawkling?"
Ilanna nodded. "Y-Yes…"
He bit her ear roughly, fondling her chest and rubbing himself against her.
"W-Wait," Ilanna gasped. "Y-You're sure no one will find us?" Only one person knew where she was.
Sabat raised an eyebrow. "Here? In this dump? This is the last place people will expect to find either of us!"
"Does anyone know?"
Sabat studied her, a hint of wariness returning to his expression. "What?"
"I-I…" She swallowed. "I don't want the Hawks…" She trailed off.
"Don't want them to know what a slut you are, is that right?"
Ilanna dropped her eyes again.
Sabat chuckled. "Don't worry, little Hawkling. I told no one and no one saw the note delivered. This will be our little secret."
Ilanna met his eyes now, an eager smile on her face. "Good!" She lifted her hands as if to touch him, but dropped them by her side.
Sabat grinned at her, eyeing her up and down. "Don't be afraid, girl. Now that I've taught you your place, I'll show you other things. Things you've never imagined." He trailed a rough finger down her bare arms. "Perhaps you'll even come to enjoy it.
"I-I…" Her skin crawled at his touch. Don't let him see.
His hand grasped her throat, cutting off her words. "Though what would be the fun in that, eh? In the end, you're nothing but a cheap lay. Not even a particularly good-looking one, mind you." His gaze roamed her face, still swollen and yellowed by bruises. "Right now, I'd find a sack of dog shite more appealing. But I guess we must make do with what we've got, eh?"
Ilanna dropped her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, Sabat."
"Call me 'Master', girl." He squeezed tighter.
She gasped for air. "I-I'm sorry, Master."
A leering grin broadened his face and he licked his lips. "Good. Now let's get you out of those clothes." He reached for her thin shirt and tunic.
"I-I hope you don't mind…" She met his gaze.
"What?"
"I thought you might be…hungry."
He raised a suspicious eyebrow. "You did, did you?"
Ilanna nodded. "I brought bread and cheese, and wine. I thought, maybe…"
Sabat snarled. "Thought you'd poison me, did you?" He raised his hand to strike her and Ilanna cowered.
"No! I would never! Please!"
The blow never fell. Ilanna risked a glance at Sabat. His eyes remained narrowed.
Ilanna gasped, "I just wanted to please you!" She fell to her knees, shaking and sobbing, one hand clasped over her face, the other clinging to his belt. Seconds ticked by, the silence broken only by Ilanna's sobs.
"Enough, girl! Keeper's teeth, that racket is enough to make any man go soft." He hauled her roughly to her feet and shook her. Ilanna fell silent, face buried in her hands. "Bring me the food and wine."
Ilanna turned and shuffled to the small table beside the stuffed couch, her shoulders hunched protectively. Hands trembling, she poured the wine into the simple clay cup and passed it to him.
He glared at her. "Drink."
Without hesitation, Ilanna emptied the contents of the cup.
"Not all of it, girl!" Sabat struck her head, hard. "You were to prove it wasn't poisoned, not down the whole thing. Serve me more!"
Ilanna complied. The shaking of her hands sent the wine splashing over her thin tunic and she gasped. Setting down the pitcher, she dabbed at her garment.
Sabat leered. "Leave it! It'll come off in a moment anyways. Now hand me the wine."
Ilanna obeyed.
The Bloodbear glanced at it for a moment and drained it in one d
raught. "Another." He thrust the cup toward her. Ilanna refilled it and Sabat emptied it. "Food."
He tore into the bread and cheese like he hadn't eaten for days, smacking and grunting. "Cheese tastes like goat turds. Bread is harder than a brick, too."
Ilanna cringed beneath his glare, whimpering and covering her face with her hands.
"Enough, little Hawkling. Time for pleasure."
Sabat fumbled at his belt with one hand. "There." He thrust his chin toward the stuffed couch.
Ilanna sat and lay back, opening her legs.
"Not like that!" He glared. "Hands and knees. I don't want to have to see your face, not all banged up."
She complied. It will soon be over.
Sabat's belt clattered to the floor and he pawed at her clothing. "Let's get this off you, little whore. It'll only get in the—" His words cut off with a wheeze.
A feral grin curled Ilanna's lips. She climbed to her feet, in no hurry.
Behind her, Sabat was on his knees, clutching at his throat. "What…did…you…do?" He gasped, struggling for each labored breath.
Ilanna raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Oh, you mean this? Can't handle your poison well, can you?" She stooped and retrieved the discarded cup of wine. "If you weren't so bloody stupid, you might have noticed me slipping it in."
Sabat's eyes widened at sight of the cup. "You…whore!"
With a snarl, Ilanna kicked him between the legs, hard. His body thumped to the floor, hands clutching his groin.
"You disgusting piece of filth! How dare you lay a finger on me?" She crouched over him, teeth bared. An inferno raged in her chest. "And you believed it would be that easy?"
Pitiful mewls of agony escaped his lips and tears streamed down his cheeks.
"You think I'm weak because I'm not a man like you? You think that you can beat me into submission? That I'll cower and do whatever you want?"
Sabat tried in vain to choke out words. His breath came in wet, ragged gasps.
Queen of Thieves Box Set Page 35