Page 90 of Consumed By Fire

I do my business as quickly as I can, washing my hands afterward. Then I wash my face. I can do this. I can. I suck in a deep breath and walk back to where the guards are waiting.

“I want to see him,” I tell him.

“I’m taking you to the general right now,” the guard says.

“No! I want to see the Draiger,” I insist.

The guard laughs. “That isn’t going to happen, female.” He grabs my arm just above the elbow and marches me out into the hallway.

“I have to insist,” I tell him. “I’m not saying so much as a word until I see that he is okay. That you have done as I requested.”

“I can’t. I—”

“Then you can put me back in my cell.” I turn my head away, looking into the drab area in question.

The guard sighs. “You’re full of shit,” he says. He pulls a cellphone from his pocket and swipes at the screen. “Yes, Sire. Apologies for disturbing you.”

Someone yells on the other end of the phone, but I don’t pay attention to what they are saying. I can guess well enough.

“The female is insisting on seeing the Draiger.” The guard glares at me.

There’s more shouting.

“It’s to ensure that her demands are being met. She says she won’t talk otherwise.” He gives me a look that is dripping with annoyance. I couldn’t care less.

“Yes, Sire.” There’s more talking on the other end. “Yes, I understand.” He swipes the screen and pockets the phone. “This way,” he mutters to me.

They lead me down a hallway. There are more cells on one side and doors on the other. We turn right and then left.

“Octane!” I yell when I see him. He’s sitting in a cell, on the floor, with his back to the wall. He is in plain black pants and a black shirt.

He jumps up as soon as he sees me, moving to clasp the bars of the cell with both his hands. “Don’t say anything. Don’t do it.”

“Be quiet, Draiger!” one of the guards says.

“I can’t watch them hurting you,” I tell him.

“I can take it. Please, listen to me—” His eyes are filled with anguish, and his voice with urgency.

“Shut up!” the guard snarls. He grabs my arm and starts pulling me away. “You’ve seen that he’s fine.”

He is clean and in fresh clothes. His wounds have been tended to. I see a tray of food on the floor and an empty bottle of water.

They have honored their part of the deal.

“I can take the pain!” Octane shouts. “My limbs will grow back. My skin, too. My bones will knit. Don’t do it!”

“I’m sorry,” I call over my shoulder.

“Don’t do it!” he yells again, then I hear him growl like a caged lion. I suspect that someone has done something to keep him quiet.

“No!” I yell. “Don’t hurt him, or I won’t say a goddamned word, you bastards!”

“This way, female,” the general says as he steps out of a room, his hand still on the door handle. “Your Draig friend is fine. I merely administered an electric shock to his bars when he wouldn’t stop yelling like that. It just won’t do.” He shakes his head.

The general removes his mask. He straightens his hair. It’s golden blond. His eyes are a bright blue. I have seen him before numerous times.

“Sire.” I incline my head, but that’s all. I refuse to bow to the asshole.