The Arcane Rebellion- The Arcane Series #1

Chapter 27

Xavi

"Well, what do we have here?", one of the monks, I assume, said. They got Layla.

"Leave her alone!", I yelled, kicking around with my feet, trying to hit anyone. The monks laughed. "I'll fucking kill you if you touch her!", I yelled, making the monks laugh once again.

"I'd like to see you try.", one of them mocked. I heard the rattle of chains and felt a presence next to me. They chained Layla. "Now, will one of you finally tell me why you're here. Or should we use some more unpleasant methods.", he said and my heart dropped to my stomach. I didn't want to know what the 'unpleasant methods were'.

"Who are you and why are you here?", one with a deeper voice asked. I refused to answer and so did Amir and Uriah.

One of the monks sighed before speaking. "Wake the girl.", one of them, the leader I suppose, ordered.

"Hiya, sweetheart. Wakey wakey.", one of them said in a mocking voice and I heard a few little slaps.

"Get away from her!", I yelled, trying to kick someone again, but I missed everyone. Someone punched me in the stomach and I wanted to double over to ease the pain but I couldn't.

"Quiet.", one of the monks spat, roughly taking my face in their hands and then pushing it away.

Suddenly, Layla's screams filled the room. "Get away from her! Don't touch her! Stop it!", Amir, Uriah and I all yelled out.

"Tell us what we want to know and we'll stop.", one of the monks said. "Come on, darling, you'll tell us, won't you.", I assume he was speaking to Layla. I could hear that she spat at him.

"I won't tell you shit.", she gritted through her teeth. I heard a punch and Layla's groan.

"Who are you and why are you here?", a monk questioned Layla but it was like she made a vow to stay silent. There was another punch, but this time it was followed by a crack. "Answer me!", someone yelled. There was another hit and Layla winced.

"Stop! Stop! Stop it!", I yelled, rattling my chains. Someone punched me in the stomach again and I groaned in pain.

"Don't fucking touch them!", Uriah yelled and someone hit him too. I heard him groan and hiss in pain.

Layla screams filled the room again and I heard her chains rattling. "Answer us!", the monks said, all taking their turns. What were they doing to her?

"Get away from her!", I yelled after she screamed again. I could hear she had started crying, meaning the pain must've been unbearable for her.

"Another reaction that doesn't involve an answer from any of you is taking her place.", a monk threatened and I stilled.

As much as I wanted them to stop torturing her, I was afraid. I was glad they'd taken her instead of Amir, Uriah and I because I knew she wouldn't break, unlike the three of us. They thought they took the weakest of us, but in reality, they took the strongest. And she wasn't going to break no matter what they did to her. I didn't know if it was brave or stupid.

I wanted to take her place so much, but I was too afraid. I didn't want her to go through whatever pain they were causing her. 

She screamed again and a sob left her lips. "Please. Please stop.", she begged and I couldn't bear to listen to her pain anymore. Tears started pooling in my eyes as I listened to her plead.

"Tell us what we want to know and we'll stop.", a monk said.

"Never.", Layla replied, whimpering and probably preparing for what was coming next. She screamed again, so loudly I thought she might hurt he vocal cords. She cried and whimpered and begged them to stop. I wanted to interfere, but I was too afraid. I was a mere coward before these monsters.

A blood curdling scream left Layla's lips. That was the last one and I feared the worst- that she might have died. I could only hope she was still alive, because I couldn't see shit.

"Brother Zak, we have to go. It's time for the daily sacrifice.", one monk whispered to another. I breathe out a breath of relief.

"We'll be back.", the monks said, leaving the cellar. Frantic, I tried to get my blindfold off. I rubbed it on by shoulder trying to pull it off and I finally managed. My eyes took a few moments to adjust to the light and when they did, I looked around the room. I looked over at Layla- she was completely covered in blood, her nose was broken and blood was gushing out of it, there was a bruise starting to form on her eyes, her blouse was cut and bloody, full of tiny incisions. I think I even got a glimpse of one of her ribs sticking out of her skin. She could bleed out very soon if she didn't already.

What did they do to her? How cruel could someone be to do this to someone helpless?

Suddenly, the cellar opened and I prepared for the worst but was shocked when I saw Curtis in the doorway.

"What the actual fuck happened her. I warned her. Damn it, I warned her.", he said, coming over.

"Curtis, what-", I started but he raised a hand, interrupting me.

"No time! I don't know how much you've got to get out.", he said, unlocking my chains. "Unlock Uriah, I'll get Amir.", he said and handed me a key. I nodded, going over to Uriah and unlocking his chains. He took of his blindfold and looked over at Layla, visibly shocked and horrified by the sight. Amir did the same and he looked like he might throw up, so horrified by the sight of her.

Curtis unlocked Layla's chains and I ran over just in time so that she fell into my arms. I checked her pulse- it was slow and almost fatal. Curtis came over with a vial.

"One of your own creations, if I recall correctly.", he said, placing it on her lips and making her drink.

"I don't remember that one.", I admitted.

"It's just going to slow down her bleeding.", he said and I nodded, finally remembering. I lifted Layla, holding her tightly to me, afraid to let go. "Let's go.", Curtis said, gesturing for us to follow him. We left the cellar and were met with half a dozen monks.

Amir and Uriah pulled out their weapons and Curtis hid- the monks didn't see him.

The monks looked angry, really angry. "Xavi, get Layla to the Sanctuary, we'll be fine.", Uriah said and I was hesitant, but I ran away from the monks, trying not to hurt Layla in the process.

"Well, fighting a bunch of angry monks was definitely not on my bucket list.", I heard Amir say as they started fighting with the monks. I ran as fast as my legs would let me, climbing up the stairs and leaving through the back exit, running to my horse and as gently as possible, putting Layla on it. I sat down behind her, sending my horse into gallop.

I had to get to the Sanctuary as soon as possible, because if I didn't, the worst might come true and I don't think that's something I could bear. The ride back felt like eternity. I wanted to make stops to check her pulse but I knew that would just slow me down, so I rode as fast as I could, making my horse gallop even though I knew he was getting tired. 

When we entered the city, people had to basically jump out of my way so I wouldn't run them over. The Sanctuary was finally in sight and I think I had a pretty good chance of saving my little raven.

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What do you think of Curtis? What about the monks? Do you think Layla is going to make it?

Hope you enjoyed :).