Chapter 4

NELDRISDYD :

« I know where the heart of gems is…”

Cold dread coiled in my stomach. I peeked at the unfortunately ruined face once again before pretending to laugh. She grinned when the other nobles laughed calling her a crazy slave. My eyes automatically glared at her. Nonetheless, my silent rage quickly dissipated and I was taken back by curiosity; no one had ever spoken such ancient language. It was the first time I ever heard another tongue articulating it. What was more fascinating about it was the ability to understand all languages spoken in this world. It was a language I spoke as well but no one knew that.

When I was young, Lady Markbill warned me to never speak with it; its words were an enchantment on themselves and no one would like it when the commandment made you do things you didn’t like. Unlike me, she seemed not aware of it. I observed her from the corner of my eye, her gaze moved from the floor to the hyenas and she bit her lips, not from fear but I got the impression she wasn’t really scared of them. People like her, surrounded by mysteries might be troublesome. I had to keep her talking because the magicians were a pain in my ass, involving themselves in every single event I was interested in. If they successfully got her, it would be troublesome. If I didn’t have her, no one would.

“I prepared entertainments for all of us,” said the mad scientist, a noble no one knew where he got from. I personally avoid him but today, he insisted I would find enlightenment in his activity. “Today, we will have a game of hunt. It is less challenging using normal prey. So I decided to change my tactics to humans. Rejoice, my friends, for today it will be as pleasant as ever,” he raised his arms in the air with an expression of contentment.

Everyone laughed and I stared into her red eyes, taking note of how she frowned, forming deep, displeased lines. Was she another cursed hybrid? So bad I would not save her. The mad man turned to me. “I was always fascinated by your abilities,” his hand touched my shoulder friendlily. “As punishment for always avoiding my parties, I would like you to show me your control ability. I heard the servants in your castle are perfect machines working endlessly, such a great ability. If I had it, I would use it better than you. Show me! Show me the cruelty everyone knows about you.”

This was why he was called the mad scientist; he didn’t care if he could offend anyone and had the protection of the king. He was brilliant for just allowing me to kill her. I gave him a playful tap on his shoulder then proceeded as the guard brought her. She didn’t flinch nor scream she simply stood expecting the next; my reputation was well-known, a murderer, a demon, a spawn of the devil… I liked her. It was rare to see fear and bravery in one cup.

I slammed my dagger down on the ground, covered in poison. “Pick it up!” I said sending the compulsion of glamour to her flesh. Her fingers closed on the hilt. Her panicked eyes showed her clear consciousness and I felt she could break my spell anytime; she was supposed to be in a hazy state, unaware of what she was doing. “In a moment, I want you to put the blade through your hand. When I ask you to do that, I want you to remember the offence you just blurted. If you wanted to speak, say clear words. What was the point of making a fool of you? I want you to stab your hand, doing the most damage possible.” My voice was hypnotic and I felt the magic thread of my spell snap before my eyes. She was in control again.

She hesitated but kept her head down, looking at her left hand. I could sense her trembling and imagined her face, eyes wide open in terror, asking herself if she would go ahead with the order or defy it. I thought she would be foolish enough to defy and buy a one-way ticket directly to death. However, she still made the blade touch her hand and in a swift movement, she pushed the blade through her flesh willingly. She raised her hand after it, her lips full of blood and the blade still in her hand. To show I was cruel because everything was a show of might and power, I snatched the blade but she didn’t scream.

DAHLIA:

The guards returned me to the cage, blood sipping and pain driving me crazy. Shaking all over, I curled into a ball leaning my back to the cold steel. My hand hurt considerably that I couldn’t bear it. If only the spell didn’t break, I wouldn’t feel pain. I had to stab myself to prove I didn’t have any oddity. I had to be brave and experience pain, my mind sent a wave of pain before even the blade touched my skin, like all those times I was hurt. It was already strange speaking another language; I didn’t wish to attract more attention. My stupid act made me pay with blood because I didn’t have any choice. It throbbed, the pain coming in staggering pain.

After the nobles disappeared inside a tent, I swallowed hard. I was used to pain; Lilith made me train hard with a spear and a dagger. However, the pain felt worse as if my flesh was ripped apart. I gasped for air as her words came to mind. “Don’t ever show what you are capable of. Conceal yourself and give your enemies the chance of a fake victory before striking.” I was immersed in my thoughts when I felt strong teeth plunge into my shoulder pulling me back. I hit the hyena with all I could, aiming for the eyes. It ended up falling back, dead. I was forced to observe in horror.

I was poisoned, my blood smelled weird.

I looked back at the girls, eying me with fear as the guard came to us and asked for absolute obedience. They could have warned me instead of adding to my pain, my shoulder was numb, my whole body was. I felt sick listening to his words, explaining the rules we had to follow; we had the short time of a burning stick to run for our lives. They would release the hyenas at the same time as nobles who would chase after us however they wanted. I had a chance to escape but my body was pained, moving only added to my misery. Could someone come and save me? But I was poisoned. Even if I had the ingredients, I wouldn’t have enough time to brew them.

I regretted it deeply. Why would they sacrifice me? The letter had to be fake but they never told me they were ghosts. Sister Dina was so caring. I hurt not only them but me as well with my stupidity and selfishness. If only time rewound, I would have made other choices.

I had so many yesterdays and ran out of tomorrows. I walked observing my surrounding; I needed a hiding place to die peacefully. I didn’t want to be torn by pain, lying down in a dark place would make me feel at peace. But why would I need one? It was like searching for my own coffin. If only had the dagger again, I would stab my heart giving me a painless death. Yet, I felt my body scream, telling me to run, to fight for life like I always did. Did I have any choice? I was surrounded by predators and my skills were nought in front of them.

I swallowed the pain and gulped my panic; the hyenas were behind me now. I could go to the lake in front of me, just a few inches ahead and I would make it my coffin. Another girl was killed and screams resounded then died. What if I let them bite me like the one who died… Someone might survive because of it. The idea of their teeth cutting my skin made my throat dry. But if I had to die, I would prefer to die honourably. “You can die a coward or be a hero,” Lilith once told me. However, I was no hero. I was a villain instead. Karma had reached me for pushing a little boy to his demise.

I screamed attracting their attention and yanked myself to run because part of me regretted screaming. I was in a debate and my mind was a zone of war. Why would I want to die painfully? They were the last moments of my life and I didn’t want to die. I peeked back and saw the face of the man I admired an hour ago. I had to hate him. He was the one who made my blood poisoned, I could have had a chance to escape if I had all my abilities. I was weak and pitiful. Yet, he stared at me like I was some kind of oddity. He raised an arrow and pointed it at me. I pivoted asking for it to pierce my heart before the hyenas would reach me. I really wanted to stay alive but things never went my way.

I fell unconscious when I opened my eyes again, I was in a crematorium. A servant stared at me as I blinked… So alive…