Darkened pleasure

Chapter Three

Within minutes Lyric was pressed down against the stone, her top long since pulled to her waist. Bound hands latched to the hook that protruded from the ground.
"Am I pardoned half breed?"
Lyric snorted, "yes Cretan you are pardoned."
With the first contact Lyric screamed out her body arching into the bitter cold stone. The second and third were much worse, she could feel the blood dripping down her back, could smell the iron within it. Soon her back was nothing but ravished skin, the pain so unbearable it was like someone had lite fire to her skin. Roughly wiping away her tears she climbed to her feet. Whimpering quietly as she pulled the outfit back up. They hated her here, she had accepted this fact when she first became subject to the horrid abuse that had been thrown her way at the young age of five. But even now with more than 75% of her body scared she still ached for family of some kind. No she thought to herself you will no longer go down that path these people are not your family and they all will pay for the damage that have caused. Breathing Lyric followed the gaurd to the edge of the woods where the other two stood. To her right was Melanie, who was a complete mess. Her face blotchy and swollen from the large amount of crying. To her left was a tall lanky boy, a Gorgon. Normally they were fearsome creatures but his snakes were so passive the dangled from his scalp as if they were dead. The head guard stepped forward, " thank you all for the service and protection you have offered our people. Your sacrifice will forever remain in our hearts."
The speech continued, not even to be interrupted by Melanie who was now once again sobbing. Lyric felt the familiar tug at her heart and without hesitation grabbed the girls hand. Melanie had been one of the few who hadn't hurt her, she had never talked to her either but for that she understood why. Lightly squeezing the girls hand she caught Melanie's eye and gave her a small smile. She didn't receive one in turn but the girl did manage to contain her next sob.
"Night fall shall be upon you within the hour,"
Lyric reared her head back, within the hour? That in itself was odd the chosen were made to enter the forest with no more then a ten minute head start just long enough for the guard to get to shelter. This man, a wizard was granting them a head start. His next words were directed at lyric.
"I'm sorry my children that you must go this way. We have sunken low to buried by our fear to protect our own." His eyes which had been locked on Lyric glanced over at Melanie with a tortured expression, " because of this betrayal dealt upon you I reward you with this spare time and with knowledge that tonight the night creatures are not only looking to feed but to find a suitable mate for their leader."
Tuned out to what the wizard was saying she continued to look between Melanie and him with dawning realization. He loved her, Elvira had know this. That's why Melanie had been chosen that's why they had a different guard here then as normal. She was making an example out of cross breeding. Gripping the girls hand tighter she pulled her close. It was then that she knew she would protect this girl with her life. If Elvira wanted to make an example out of them then so would she.
" I hereby grant you passage into the forest, may the gods have mercy on you."
The last part was said with a barely noticeable hitch and as they walked past him Lyric gave him a small nod a rare sign of respect. For the first time someone actually acknowledged her respect and gave it back in time. It was certain she would keep Melanie safe.