More limbs or hands or fingers threaded through the bars of the cells lining each side. Still, I didn’t see any faces pressed against the metal. No noses peeked out, trying to see what was happening. The lack of curiosity suggested this wasn’t an abnormal occurrence. That or maybe they had learned the art of patience in this miserable place. Maybe both.
A crack sounded right before a blinding white light of pain exploded in one single point against my back.
“Holy— What the fuck!” I skittered forward as the pain seemed to drip down into my body and set my blood to vibrating uncomfortably. Standing, I turned on my good leg and watched the world crystallize around me as my survival reflex kicked in.
One of the minions stood in the center of the space, whip handle in hand. My other escort stood behind the first with a polished red club.
The others stood back, watching. Waiting. Ready to step in if need be. Jedrek lay forgotten at their feet.
I wondered if there were more at the top of the stairs, waiting out of sight—and if they had other magic that would help them if I got through their little friends.
I wondered if I could get through them all.
Rush them, my dragon urged. Fire bled through me. Take that fucking whip and strangle him with it.
Fuck, I wanted to. I wanted to so badly.
Then what? I asked myself as well as my dragon. Hell, I’d ask the invisible audience if they’d actually answer. They know what they’re doing, these demons. It’s obvious. They didn’t mess with me upstairs, they did it down here, where I don’t have as much space. Where the exit’s not accessible. I’ll get through a couple, but they’ll inevitably take me down, and then they’ll be on their guard around me.
Are you blind or something? Look at them. They are already on their guard around you. Give them something to fear.
I stood in indecision. Power pumped through me.
Jedrek lay at their feet, curled up, looking my way.
I need to be Jedrek, I thought, licking my lips. The minions watched, waiting for me to make the first move. I need to be out of sight when I’m in plain view. To do that, I need to appear weak.
Even if you appear weak, you don’t smell weak. You don’t feel weak. We are the mate of the golden dragon prince. Do him proud.
Fire ripped through me as the gangly minion’s arm rose. The tip of the whip slid across the ground and then went airborne.
The pain of the last strike was a fresh memory. My rage was a palpable thing.
My brain said, Take it.
My logic said, Play dead, be weak.
My body said, Fuck this shit.
I threw up my forearm without meaning to. The slap of the whip flayed my skin as it struck and then wrapped around, stinging my arm. It should’ve hurt more. This situation should’ve hurt a lot more.
On instinct or maybe impulse, I twisted my arm and grabbed the whip, yanking it away.
So much for seeming weak.
The first officer’s eyes gleamed, like maybe he’d expected me to do that. Like he’d desired it.
“Fuck,” I said to no one in particular.
“You’re in the stink now, lady,” one of the prisoners on my left said, humor in his voice.
“What happened?” a woman called.
“She took the whip,” another said.
“Who hasn’t?” a man at the end mumbled.
“Fuck,” I said again.
“Don’t bother trying to kill them all and run,” the first guy said. “Those fuckers pop out of thin air and make sure you don’t get far. It’s a real ball shriveler when they haul you back.”
“She has a sword, though,” someone said.
“Why isn’t she using the sword?” another asked.
A deep baritone voice echoed through the space. “Give the whip to me.” The man who’d spoken was behind me, but I didn’t dare tear my eyes away from the minions for long enough to look. The feel of his command whispered over my body. “Let me spare you,” he continued. “Let me take their wrath.”
His power and authority tugged at me. His proposal stopped me short for a moment, the idea of sparing myself a sweet one after the hard journey to get here. But I hadn’t come all this way to shirk my duties. Besides, he was obviously behind bars. How would he actually help me?
Fight, my dragon thought. Let the others see that you have no fear. They’ll respect you more for it. Show them your worth. The dragon is ready to supply us with all the power we need.
As if her words had summoned it, a delicious hum rose through my middle. Heat and love and a soft devotion crept through my tired limbs and aching joints. Pride and strength straightened my back.