The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 39

Char was deep in a dreamless sleep when he felt a burst of warmth tugging at his hand. He automatically swatted it away and rolled over, hugging the blanket tighter about him, but it tugged the blanket away. The fog of sleep slowly lifted, and he sat up, his first response irritation at being woken up. Then the fairy's insistent movements registered in his mind, the way it darted to his hand and straight to his bedroom, back and forth, back and forth without ceasing. His stomach twisted, and he got up and followed it to Iris' side. She was lying still in bed, apparently asleep, but her brow was furrowed, and small whimpers escaped her lips with each quick, shallow breath. Beads of perspiration lined her forehead. He yanked the blanket back, exposing the amulet glowing red over her struggling, heaving chest.

"Iris," he called, shaking her shoulder. "Iris, wake up!"

She can't hear you right now.

Char sucked in his breath. Micah.

"If you want her alive, you need to stop this. She can't breathe," Char growled.

A deep chuckle echoed through his mind. She can breathe well enough. I've done worse to her. But perhaps you'd rather see for yourself.

In an instant, he was in the tower, standing outside her bedroom. He - no, Micah - shoved the door open hard enough for it to slam into the wall and rebound. Iris was lying in bed in the darkened room. Her brown eyes flew open, sleepy and confused, and Micah grabbed her by the collar with both hands and yanked her out of bed. "You will regret that, Iris," he growled, snatching the amulet before her fumbling hand could reach it. She cried out in pain, panic filling her eyes as her breathing suddenly grew labored. "I'm taking it all back, and then some. You're about to find out how much I've been sparing you."

"Stop this," Char said, his voice trembling with anger, but the images continued. Micah released her collar and dragged her along behind him by the amulet, the chain digging into her neck but not breaking, her struggle for air continuing as her feet stumbled up the spiral staircase, slipping out from under her and scrambling to regain her balance as Micah kept up his unforgiving pace.

"Stop this!"

Micah yanked the door to Jonah's study open and threw Iris inside ahead of him. She sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath, but he just walked past her to a line of potions on a shelf, selecting one and carrying it to Jonah's desk. He leisurely poured water into a glass from a pitcher on the desk, added a drop of the potion, and waited for the smoke to clear to reveal a rich burgundy liquid. Then he turned back to Iris, crumpled on the floor. His hand tangled in her hair and jerked her head back, and then he was forcing the potion down her throat while she choked and gagged.

"Stop showing me this!" Char roared.

Micah smashed the empty glass on the floor next to Iris and picked her up, throwing her on a stone table and strapping her down as she fought for air. The leather bindings cut into her skin, trapping her ankles, waist, left wrist, and neck. She was coughing; her lips were turning blue. He bent down and picked up a shard of glass, and then he grabbed her unrestrained but limp right wrist and slashed her palm. Blood poured out on her dress, and he wrapped her hand around the amulet, closing his hand around hers to hold it in place. Red light shone through the cracks in their fingers. Suddenly, she was screaming, writhing in pain, straining against her bonds.

"Char. What's going on?" Rath asked.

I don't have time to show you the whole process. Suffice it to say that you were a few hours too late to stop it. She can take a lot of abuse, my sweet little Iris.

"What the - what is he doing here?" Rath demanded angrily.

The images continued. Iris was limp on the table, drenched in sweat and pale as death. Only her labored breathing signified she was still alive. "You did this to yourself," Micah said, undoing the straps. She gasped as the strap over her neck was loosed, sucking in air desperately. "I can assure you that your precious fairies aren't safe," he continued, lifting her into his arms. "I can track them the same way I track you. They'll be right back here tomorrow, and I'm going to kill them all in front of you, one by one." He chuckled. "And then I'm going to rape you. When you're in that wonderful state where you can't move or fight and everything hurts. You're mine, Iris. Your magic, your body, your very soul are all mine."