A Child of Darkness

Chapter 3

Mira looked away from me to the man. "Is she alright, Rhys? She looks scared out of her mind."

"She hasn't spoken a word, and we only know what little Friadus told us about her. She's been kept in a cell for roughly seventeen years; I don't think she's ever been outside. I don't know if she can speak or if she's understanding any of what we're telling her, but she seems to be cooperative enough," Rhys said to Mira, speaking as if I wasn't standing right beside him.

"Leila," Mira spoke to me, "why don't you have a seat on one of the beds here and I'll grab you a blanket."

She gestured toward one of the beds and I did as she asked, sitting down on the soft fabric and sinking into it. She walked to a small door and opened it, pulling out a large white blanket and handing it to me. It felt nice against my skin, and I wrapped it around myself, grateful for the warmth. My old blanket was scratchy and had holes throughout it from years of use.

"Why don't we start with some food and a bath, would that be alright, Leila?" Mira asked me.

I had never heard my name used so much, it was still jarring to hear it spoken by others. Mira cocked her head to the side and pulled her eyebrows down, still staring at me, waiting for something.

"Can you understand what I'm saying, Leila?" She asked.

I nodded my head slowly, realizing she wanted a response from me.

"Leo, why don't you get her some food, she's probably starving," Mira instructed, and Leo quickly left the room. Rhys sat on another bed across from mind and blew out a breath, running his hand over his face.

"What have you told her?" Mira asked him, sitting down next to him. I wrapped the blanket tighter around my body and tucked my knees up.

"Haven't really had a chance to tell her anything," Rhys muttered, "We were a little busy trying to get her out and avoid the guards."

"Leila," Mira addressed me again, "Are you able to speak? It would really be helpful if you could tell us some information."

I nodded again. I could speak, I used to talk to Gilda, but it had been over 3,000 darknesses since I had used my voice. They stared at me, as if waiting for something. I cleared my throat.

"I know how to speak," I said, and the sound of my voice surprised me. It was raspy with disuse and came out in a whisper.

Rhys and Mira flinched at the sound, as well. "What do you know about why you were being kept in the Citadel's dungeons?" Mira asked.

Citadel. Another new word. I stared at her, unsure of what she wanted me to say.

"Tell us about Friadus, Leila," Rhys said quietly. "Let's start there."

I cleared my throat again. "He brings my meals twice a day, through a slot in my door. Once every seven days he brings me to the bathing chamber. I have ten minutes to wash, and he takes me back to my room. He doesn't speak to me."

"Did you ever leave, other than to bathe?" Mira asked.

I shook my head no.

"How did you learn to communicate, to talk?" Rhys asked.

"Gilda. But I haven't seen her in a long time."

I jumped at the sound of the door opening again, and Leo returned with a small silver platter, handing it to me.

"I spoke with Nevan," he said, sitting down between Rhys and Mira. "He wants to know if she's well enough to speak with him. I told him to hold off for awhile."