A Sacrifice of Names

Chapter 30

Putting a glamour on someone and taking it from them was completely painless, Earie had learned. The glamour had never physically altered her body, merely created an illusion for others to behold. A dauntingly real one at that.

How much time had passed ever since she had been taken back to that room she did not know, but Earie knew it had been done when her captor finally pushed himself up from the chair he had put right in front of where she sat chained to the floor.

Another second passed, Keely's name lingering on her lips, accompanied by a sense of dread she knew not to show. She had never prayed, followed no God or religion, but her heart spoke true with the mere wish the green-skinned fae would be spared more torment.

Keely's power had been drained, proving that she, just like Innogen, would fight till the bitter end. Earie squeezed her eyes closed tightly, a lone tear rolling down her cheek.

She could not give up now.

"Bland, just like the rest of your miserable kind." The laugh that followed sent chills down Earie's arms, hands briefly clenching together into fists with what last energy she had left.

"So what now? You already knew what I was." Her green eyes showed nothing but anger as she raised her gaze towards him. It was a strange sensation flowing through her entire being. The urge to be brave, to stand up for not just herself, but those whom she had dragged down here, into this cold darkness.

A darkness that had frightened her before, but no longer.

She had been in this place countless times before, she realised, in her dreams. How often hadn't she sat shackled to the same floor? The shadow in her dreams had always distracted her from it, unbeknownst prepared her for what was to come.

"Let's just say we needed a little proof," he grinned, lowering himself to her level. Again his hand reached for her hair, but even as Earie tried to pull back, her limited range of movement allowed him to brush a few locks behind her ear, the pointed tips gone. His eyes did not linger on their round shape, however. Avoiding his gaze Earie could feel his urge for her to look up in his direction.

"Interesting...."

"What?" The snarl in her voice widened the smirk already tugging on the ends of his lips. An elated cry left his mouth as he pushed back up, a clap of his hands finally forcing Earie to turn her head in his direction.

"Just want a name, dear lass, just a name," he chortled with glee.

She spat, "You're fucking insane."

The expression on his face did not change, but as he leaned forward Earie could feel a shift in his mood.

"Maybe I am. Shall we see how long it takes before you are screaming just like your poor friends?"

"Back off, Maerin."

With the other voice joining in her captor, Maerin, had his back turned towards Earie in the mere blink of an eye. She tried to see past him, but only shadows greeted her vision.

"Why are you here?" Maerin snarled, his emphasis on the word you.

The shadow chuckled, sliding forward. "I believe you forget who you assigned this task to. You have played the role of general a little too long. About time I took back over, don't you think?"

Maerin balled his fist as if ready to lurch toward the shadow's direction.

"Playtime is over, Maerin. Get lost."

"You will regret this, runt."

The shadows merely let out a hollow laugh, stepping aside. "Leave."

Earie watched astounded how Maerin's shoulders sagged in defeat, pure hatred plastered across his features.