The first thing I heard was footsteps—heavy ones—echoing down the stone corridor toward my cell. Muffled screams followed, sharp and panicked. My stomach twisted. They got the girl.
The lock clanked, and the door creaked open. One of Iskar's men shoved a small figure inside and slammed the door behind her. She fell hard onto the floor, wrists and ankles bound, a gag stuffed in her mouth. Without a word, the man left, his boots steps fading into silence.
For a moment, all I could hear was her muffled whimpering. Then I stepped closer, my chains rattling against the wall. In the dim torchlight, I caught a glimpse of her—navy blue hair tangled and dirty, but her eyes… they were lake blue.
"Lake blue eyes," I murmured. "You don't see that every day."
The girl froze and turned her head sharply toward me, searching for the voice in the darkness. I stepped forward until my chains stopped me short with a harsh metallic clank. "Ugh, these damn chains," I muttered. "Hey, kid, try wiggling over here. I can't reach you."
She stiffened, eyes widening with a mix of confusion and fear. Right, I realized, I probably look like a nightmare. My hair was a mess, my face bruised and bloodied, and my clothes were rags.
"I'm not a bad guy," I said quickly, forcing a small smile. "I'm trapped here just like you. I just want to remove the gag so we can talk."
She hesitated for a long moment, her eyes darting between me and the door. Finally, she started inching toward me, dragging herself across the cold stone floor. When she got close enough, I knelt down and carefully untied the gag.
"There. That's better, huh, kid?"
She glared at me immediately. "Who are you calling a kid? We look about the same age! Who are you? Where are my parents? Release me right now, or my father will have you hanged!"
Oh great. She's one of those noble brats straight out of a movie. Still, I had to admit, for someone kidnapped and tied up, she was holding herself together better than I expected.
"First of all," I said, trying not to laugh, "you've been kidnapped. Second, they're planning to take you out of the city tonight."
Her eyes widened. The confidence in her voice cracked. "What… what do you mean?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, trembling at the edges. "Please," I said softly, "don't cry. I'm sure your parents are already looking for you."
She sniffled, trying to hold it together. "Who are you?"
"My name's Lurthar," I said, lifting my arms to show the heavy chains binding me to the wall. "I'm stuck here same as you."
She looked at me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "I'm Oriane Evermere. My father is the Marquis of this land."
"Well, Oriane," I said gently, "what's the last thing you remember before ending up here?"
"I was out shopping for a dress with my nanny," she said, her voice trembling. "Then… men attacked us. They hurt the guards, tied me up, and brought me here. I—I thought I'd never wake up again."
Her eyes started to shimmer again with fresh tears, so I changed the subject quickly. "Do you know any magic? Or have anything that could contact someone? Like a charm, or an enchanted ring, maybe?"
She shook her head. "I haven't learned any magic yet. Father said I'll start next year. And… I don't have anything like that."
"Shoot," I muttered. "There goes the easy way out."
Her lip quivered. "You… you said you'd get us out, right?"
I smiled faintly, though I didn't feel confident at all. "Yeah. I'll find a way. Just give me some time."
The sound of heavy boots returned before she could respond. The door opened again, and one of Corven's lackeys stepped inside. His eyes flicked between us, narrowing when he saw we were talking. Without a word, he slammed his fist into my gut, knocking the air from my lungs. I dropped to my knees as he kicked me down and ground his boot against my head.
"Stop talking to her, Roach," he spat. Then he turned and walked out, laughing as the door slammed shut.
I coughed and rolled onto my side, clutching my stomach. "You okay?" Oriane asked softly, her earlier defiance gone.
"I'm fine," I groaned. "Kinda got used to it." I tried to laugh, but it came out as a wheeze. "I just… need to rest a bit."
As I slumped against the wall, my mind raced. The only chance we had was the energy I'd awakened before—the strange fusion and fission of mana. It had nearly killed me last time, but maybe I could control it better now.
Small amounts only, I told myself. Fuse small particles, split them cleanly, use fission to build pressure… control the flow.
I closed my eyes, ignoring the pain in my ribs. "I've got a plan," I whispered, "but you need to stay quiet for a while, alright?"
Oriane nodded, wide-eyed. Her earlier arrogance had melted into nervous obedience. Just a few moment go she was shouting at me like I was dirt; now she looked at me like I was her only hope. The thought made me smirk despite everything.
Oriane EvermereWhy is this happening to me?
Those men—they hurt my nanny. I can still hear her screaming. I want to go home. I want to see Mother. Father. Anyone.
When I was thrown into this cell, I thought it was over. The ropes cut into my wrists, the gag hurt my mouth, and the air was so cold it burned. Then I heard a voice in the dark.
At first, I was terrified. I tried to move away, but the ropes wouldn't let me. Then he stepped forward, a boy around my age. His clothes were torn and filthy, his hair uncombed, his face bruised—but what stood out most were his eyes. They were so dark it was like the shadows themselves bent toward him.
He looked like a commoner, yet he didn't cower or beg when I shouted. He looked… tired, but strong. When he removed my gag, I yelled at him, but instead of getting angry, he just looked annoyed, like I was some stubborn child. Then he told me what had really happened. That I'd been kidnapped. That they were planning to take me away.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe. I wanted to cry, but he kept talking—calmly, quietly—until I could think again. He said his name was Lurthar, and that he'd find a way to free us both. I didn't know why, but I believed him.
Then the other man came. He hit Lurthar, over and over. I couldn't even scream. When he finally left, Lurthar just smiled weakly and said he was fine. He told me to stay quiet so he could focus.
Now I sit here, watching him in the dim light. His breathing is slow, his eyes closed, but the air around him feels… strange. Like it's moving. Glowing faintly.