Elvirund | ✔️

Chapter Thirty Two

"Eat. Or I will call the First Elder."

"Alright, no need to make empty threats."

"Empty? What accusations!"

"Save the shit, buddy. We can all see how much you don't like him."

The Second quieted grumpily and I smirked. That's what I thought. I snappishly wolfed down the bread and cheese, pushing the empty tray against the door with a clang. This was boring.

"There. Satisfied?"

"You're not doing this for me, Alethia."

"Well, if it was for me then it would be my choice, wouldn't it?"

Once again I was correct. I was miserable and I wanted out. Dirt and grime covered me all over, slightly cleaner stripes where my sweat had dropped down my neck and shoulders. My hair was constantly matted to my neck and occasionally I would get dizzying headaches, a byproduct of my self inflicted Brimming. Over the days I had felt a dark presence push against my mind, willing me toward violence and dispute. I had pushed back steadily at first, but I was tiring. I couldn't remember how many days it had been since I had left Gehenna. I couldn't remember how long it had been since I had started to work with Chip. I couldn't remember how long it had been since I had been clean.

"Don't try to pity me into calling Caphriel down here. Last night was a lucky bonus."

"You wouldn't anyway."

"I see you're learning."

I almost dared snap back at him before deciding it wasn't worth the trouble. I had other people to yell at. Besides, my head was pounding and looking at the light shining on the floor hurt the backs of my eyes. The dark presence pressed me to give in, to become a creature of the Ithrul, and as I resisted I knew I was getting weaker. I couldn't keep this up for too long, and soon I would either fall into depravity or implode from the effort of trying not to. I could feel that the presence had already infiltrated certain areas of my mind; if I could just keep it from taking all of me then I would have a chance of surviving. Maybe.

"She looks quite ill. Have you checked on her at all?"

"No. It is just the normal side effects of the Brimming."

"Ramiel, look at her! That is not normal in the slightest!"

Raphael's voice slit through the fog in my mind and I opened my eyes. His angry face was quickly turning a bright shade of red, and the Second Elder was quivering at the sight. Raphael wasn't that scary, was he?

"I'll be fine."

The last word slurred slightly and I sighed.

"She is not fine. I see that now." The Second mumbled.

Raphael suddenly gasped and swore.

"She's accelerating the Brimming. Whether she realizes it or not."

"We must move her to isolation."

"I don't want to but yes, we must."

By this point, I had stopped listening, completely focused on just staying upright. Even sitting straight against the wall was difficult. I didn't protest when a pair of cool arms lifted me up and carried me out of the cell. We proceeded down hallways and corridors, ascending and descending stairs until I had no sense of direction anymore. My head was pounding hard, my heartbeat harder. I didn't know where I was or what I was expected to do.

"Will she be safe here?"

"If Gabriel does not find out, yes."

"Well, he is guaranteed to hear of this so that's a no."