Robin's Blood

Page 23, Ch. V

She heard the light pacing of footsteps circling her; then it stopped just behind her. The sack was loosened from her neck and lifted off her head. Robin kept her head straight, fearing who or what stood behind her. "My deepest apologies," a baritone voice spoke. The speaker shifted to stand before Robin, "When I told them, 'Bring that girl here now!' I should have been a little more specific that you were precious cargo" His words gave Robin goosebumps, the unpleasant kind. The man stood before Robin and bent his knees to match eye level with her. He had wispy black hair that lay just at his shoulders, and his skin was pale and humanlike, a dark blue cloak with golden embroidery covering most of it. His icy blue eyes pierced into Robin as he squinted at her with a manic grin twisted on his face. "It can be quite difficult to find good minions in a world filled with idiotic, ugly beasts," he jeered. "Glad to hear you are conscious of what you are," Robin snapped. The man's eyes widened, but his grin stayed, almost as if he was delighted. "You're a tough one! Most people cry" He giggled and unbent his knees. He lifted Robin's chin and tsked, "It's a shame, your not as hideous as some of the others I've seen" He stood for a minute, resting her chin on his fingers. "What's your name..." he questioned, lowering his voice "Robin," she snarled, twisting her face away from him. He gripped the sides of her face with one hand and pulled her face back too harshly, inching it closer to his. "Robin..." he hummed, then softly sighed and smiled. He threw her face and turned to the door.

"Guards! Come in," he commanded. Two trolls in armor rushed into the room and propped themselves in front of him, long polearms in each of their thick, ugly, pasty green hands. "Take our guest to a comfortable room," he instructed. The guards rushed to either side of Robin.

Using her underarms, they lifted her from the chair. Her feet rose slightly off the ground, and she dangled between them. "Gently!" he hissed. The guards lightly dropped Robin to the ground but crossed their polearms between her and the man. Robin glared at him as she was escorted out of the room. Just before the door shut behind her, she caught him brushing his long hair behind his ear, revealing the lack of a pointed tip.