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Chapter 26
Roksana
Niersen’s screams echoed through the camp, making even the Dark Fae turn away. Their captain sent me a questioning look, but I shook my head. His frown deepened.
‘My lady, the Consort ordered us to follow your command, but is it wise? The Herald of Lumivitae is worth more alive.’ He glanced towards the tent where blood seeped through the canvas, painting it red.
‘I’m sure you’re right, but Niersen will die tonight, and if any of your men step in to stop the Grand Master’s justice, I will intervene,’ I advised. The captain’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent.
Every scream deepened the emptiness in my soul. Irsha butchered the man in the most creative ways, and I couldn’t bring myself to feel a shred of pity or guilt. Will you still think of me as your light, Cin? I asked, too afraid to look in the mirror and see the monster the Council of Mages tried to kill.
I didn’t know how much time passed before Niersen’s screams reached the broken crescendo of a raw, primal sound, the cry of a body driven past thought into madness.
‘My lady, the commander won’t be able to hold the Tangrians much longer. We need to depart.’ The captain cracked his knuckles. His unit had already formed up, waiting for the signal to set off, fingers flexing around their weapons.
‘He’s right, Drah’sa. Do you want me to tell Irsha to end this?’ Tova asked. He was pale with a greenish tint to his skin.
‘You’ve been sick?’
‘Fuck Drah’sa, I wasn’t raised in the Dark Brotherhood. I know why he’s doing it, but…’ Tova said defensively, and the numbness in my core deepened.
‘Don’t, Tova. You are a kind, decent person. Be proud of it.’ I turned to the tent. ‘Stay here. I’ll tell him.’
Things had been quiet for the last few minutes. The metallic smell of blood mixed with the sour stench of vomit and fear. I braced myself and pulled open the tent flap.
Irsha sat near Niersen’s body, or what was left of it.
The jar of blood rested beside him, with two long bones laid on top. On the other side hung the Herald’s perfectly flayed skin, displayed like some horrifying artwork.
Yet Niersen was still alive. His tongueless mouth opened and closed in silent screams, blood spraying with every gasp. One eye was missing; the other tracked across the tent, dilated with terror.
‘I can’t kill him,’ Irsha whispered. His breath was raspy; his face painted with the enemy’s blood. ‘Each time I tried… It wasn’t enough. I still see her pale body in my arms, not breathing, and you—your magic, your fear. I almost lost you both.’
Dagome’s deadliest assassin hid his face in his hands and sobbed.
‘In the face of that, how will death ever be enough?’
I stepped over the mutilated body and wrapped my arms around my friend. He pressed his face into my embrace, smearing blood all over my shirt. My entire life, he’d been my rock, but even rocks can crumble under relentless pressure.
So I held him. Just held him. I knew his soul. I knew his love, and now I knew his suffering.
I let him unburden himself in the safety of my arms. When he finally looked up, his eyes were clearer than they’d been since my father’s death.
‘Sana, I…’ he started. I placed a finger on his lips. Between us, no words were necessary.
‘It’s alright, Blade. Take the blood and bones to Tova and leave Niersen to me. I promise you, death won’t be enough.’ His eyes widened.
‘That’s too risky. The Tangrians could return any time.’
‘I’m counting on it. I’ll wait here for Siras.’ I searched the tent for the cleanest space to sit.
‘I’m not leaving you, Trouble,’ he said with such a stubborn expression he earned himself an exasperated sigh.
‘Yes, you are. I need you, Tova, and the rest of this merry band to follow Siras’ trail. Once the key is ready or he takes me to the Gate, you’ll attack,’ I said, and finally, a slow smile spread across his lips.
‘Fine.’ He looked down at Niersen, whose chest still rose and fell in a weak effort to stay alive. Irsha swallowed hard.
I placed my hand on his shoulder. ‘He’ll pay for all he did to us. Go to Tova and get away from the camp before Siras arrives.’
