The Siege of Shadows: Book one

The Fae camp (22)

The Black Knight's grip was unyielding as he dragged me through the dense woods, his armored hand wrapped around my arm like a shackle. The forest was silent save for the crunch of leaves beneath his boots and my ragged breaths. I stumbled to keep pace, the ground tearing at my bare feet, but he didn't slow. He didn't even look at me.

"Let go," I snapped, yanking against his hold. My wrists burned where the ropes had been, my hands still raw from the fire. "Where are you taking me now? To be your entertainment? Or just to get rid of me for good?"

He didn't answer, and his silence stoked my anger.

"Is this all you are?" I pressed, spitting the words like venom. "A monster in armor? A beast who hides behind chains and fear because you're too much of a coward to face what you really are?"

He halted so suddenly that I nearly slammed into him. His grip tightened, and he turned just enough for me to glimpse his glowing crimson eyes beneath the black helmet.

"Enough," he growled, the word low and sharp, carrying the weight of an unspoken threat.

But I wasn't done. Fear knotted my stomach, yes, but my anger burned brighter. "You think you're better than them?" I gestured back toward the camp, my voice trembling with fury. "You're no different. Just another cruel bastard who thinks humans are toys to be broken."

This time, he didn't respond. He turned sharply, pulling me with him until we broke through the trees into a clearing. My breath caught, and my heart sank.

In the center of the clearing stood a massive wooden box, its surface dark and weathered, reinforced with iron bands and draped in heavy chains. It loomed like a predator, waiting for its prey. My stomach twisted violently as I realized what it was meant for.

"No," I whispered, digging my heels into the ground. "No, you can't—"

He didn't give me the chance to finish. His gauntleted hand shot out, grabbing me by the waist and hauling me forward. My struggles were useless against his strength, and I was forced up against the rough wooden surface of the box.

"Stop!" I screamed, my voice breaking as panic surged through me. "You can't do this! You—"

The sound of voices cut through the clearing, low murmurs that grew louder as figures began to emerge from the shadows. The fae. They came in pairs and small groups, their inhuman eyes gleaming with cruel curiosity as they circled around us. My heart pounded wildly in my chest as their whispers reached my ears.

"Burned him, she did," one of them said, a sly grin curling their lips. "Little human thought she could fight back."

"Foolish creature," another sneered. "She'll learn her place."

Humiliation burned hotter than my fear as I realized why they were here—to watch. To see me beaten, and broken for daring to fight back.

"No," I gasped again, trying to twist away from his hold. "Please, don't—"

His grip on me didn't falter. He pressed me against the box, one hand holding me firmly while the other began unfastening the remnants of my torn clothing.

"Don't touch me!" I spat, thrashing against him with all the strength I had left. My nails scraped against his gauntlet, my legs kicking uselessly against his unyielding form. "You bastard! Don't you dare—"

But it didn't matter. My struggles were nothing against his strength, and piece by piece, the last shreds of my dignity were stripped away. I clenched my teeth, trying to hold onto my rage, trying not to let the tears fall as the cold air bit at my bare skin.

He didn't look at me—not really. His movements were quick, methodical, as if he were trying to separate himself from what he was doing. But that didn't change the fact that it was his hands chaining me to the box, his hands pinning me in place as the fae around us laughed and jeered.