Page 88 of Consumed By Fire

“Try again,” he says.

“My answer hasn’t changed,” I grunt. “You can slice and dice me all you want.”

“I see we’re going to have to get serious. Call the prince. His services are needed,” the general tells the guard who has just entered with a bottle of water that makes my mouth feel dry just looking at it.

The guard hands the bottle to the general. “Yes, Sire.” He bows again in the same awkward fashion and leaves.

“The prince won’t go easy on you. He’ll have you talking in no time. He will saw off your limbs. Peel off your skin. He’ll make you beg for mercy…for death.”

“He sounds like a great guy,” I deadpan.

“My brother has called me a weakling on more than one occasion. You’ll find that I went easy on you compared to him. This is your last chance to ‘fess up.”

“Brother?” I lift my brows. “That would make you a prince, too.”

I suppose it makes sense of all the bowing and them calling him “Sire.”

“I ask the questions, Draiger.” He returns to his chair. “Not you.”

Fair enough.

We wait in silence for a few minutes. The door opens, and I expect to see this “prince” they’re talking about. I’m intrigued to see who my tormenter is and what he looks like.

The same guard enters, his eyes cast to the floor. “Sire…I beg your pardon.” He lifts his eyes for a second before lowering them. “It worked.” He gives the hint of a smile. “The female has agreed to talk if we stop the torture here.”

Fuck!

My heart sinks.

Trinity

Tears. I’m sick of them. I can’t seem to stop them from falling, no matter how hard I try.

I watch on the large screen as the general continues to beat Octane. I watch when he breaks his fingers…one at a time. The loud cracks reverberate around my cell.

I cry out each time and try to look away. I can’t take it anymore. I’ve never seen anything so cruel.

“Eyes on the screen, Trinity, or the general will break a fourth finger, and it will be on you,” the male nearby snarls at me.

I cry harder, but look back at the terrible images, my vision blurred.

“This can all go away if you’d only tell us the truth.” The male slaps his hand on the table. “Are you listening?”

I nod once.

“Why did the Draiger come here? Was the money for you?” he snarls.

I don’t answer, watching as Octane is asked similar questions over and over again. He is punched and slashed and punched again.

He laughs, though, even though I can see that he is in pain. He is so strong and courageous. He’s everything, and they’re breaking him. He’s a good male, but they are going to kill him. I know it.

It’s all my fault.

I cry harder, which pisses me off.

His chest is covered in blood. His lip is split, his one eye is starting to close. His nose looks broken…and I’m the one who is crying.

Enough!