Dark Magic

Chapter 5

I awake with a shake, its Lyla. “Wake up Cyria, we have to work,” she said, looking alive and ready.

I’m hit with last night’s occurrence but I push it away, hopping to forget it. Its early, I look out the window and the sun is beginning to rise. 

I get out of bed, feeling cold and warn out, emotionally. Obviously I didn’t fall asleep to well, due to what Lyla said.

Lyla throws me a bag made out of some light brown material; I look inside and find a hairbrush, toothbrush and other items.

I examine the bag and notice it’s strong and durable, good for escaping with.

A smile creeps over my lips.

Lyla looks at me oddly, but I just shrug.

 I complete my refreshments and head to the kitchen where the two have already started cooking something. Jeez, they sure are quick!

“There is leftover salami and cheese by the bench. I suggest you eat up quickly before the guards do their rounds,” advised Callisia, with affection.

I fled to the bench and ate the salami first with ecstasy, tasting all the flavours in the meat.

I then moved on to the cheese, I savoured every second of it leaving me satisfied.

I can’t believe I just ate something other than scraps.

I quickly pick up my apron and help preparing food with Lyla while Callisia was baking.

I chop up vegetables, some of which I have never seen or heard of leaving me to believe Salvador loves his food.

“Lyla, where are the guys? I haven’t seen a male slave here, are there any?” I asked, feeling a bit stupid after I said it.

“Haha… Cyria, I was waiting for you to ask. I did when I first got here; it was the first thing I noticed. There are men here but there working the land, doing hard labour. It sucks to be them if you ask me.”

 I want to ask her another question but I’m afraid to say it, I’m afraid to say it out loud.

Does she have magic?

What about Callisia?

The problem is some people can hide their magic, shield it from other Magic Users.

But if I say something, I could tip myself off; they could use me to get out of here, if they don’t have any magic.

But, why else are they in here?

Salvador hates people who have magic, fraternising with one or even being related to one.

So, why else would they be here?

Unless, Oren can’t actually tell if someone is a magic user, he could be faking his so called abilities.

Still, I can’t risk getting caught; secretary is the only safe way.

After two weeks of the same duties, it becomes repetitive and easy.

I know a lot about cooking and the different types of meals Salvador has and so on.

I also learn more about Callisia and Lyla, but not their life before being a slave.

They never talk about that, but neither do I.

Callisia is twenty-one while Lyla is seventeen.

Callisia has long black hair which is always in a braid down her back, she has dark brown eyes.

However, Lyla has red curly hair and green eyes with rosy cheeks.

She has a sweet look, but from the time I’ve known her she is anything but.

The comments she’s said, was something you wouldn’t want the guards to hear.

As usual the guards do rounds and check up on us, one morning I was a bit late and that’s when I suffered getting whipped by a guard.

He told me, I had one more chance and the third meant execution.

I cried in pain, both from the whip and the thought of execution.

Callisia aided my wounds on my arms and she showed me her marks on her hands from the whip.

All that remained was a thin silver scar slashed across her hands, when placed side by side.

She said she has only been whipped once, and once was enough for her.

Lyla winced when she saw Callisia bandaging me; she told me she has never been whipped.

I was surprised, as she seems to have a comment or two for the guards every now and again.

Every morning I get up and do my job, and every sunset I got to bed, this is now my life.