Page 108 of Forsaken Secrets

42

Kaiya

As promised, a few minutes later, Olren walked in, his amber eyes tight. "Well, Miss Maderoth, you're due thirty lashes."

Thirty lashes? My jaw dropped, and I couldn't stop the tremble in my legs. I'd known it was coming when a guard had removed my stays, but thirty was a lot. How would I be able to move, let alone walk afterwards?

"I — is there nothing else …" I asked.

He shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry. The best I could do was administer them myself instead of Gav. It's supposed to be in public, but I slid out of there too quick for them to remind me."

"Thank you," I said, tightening my body already against the oncoming onslaught.

He stepped past me to pull the chains from the wall, then slipped heavy shackles around my wrists. They were cool against my skin and the metal edges bit in with each move I made.

"Stand over here." He motioned towards the wall.

I walked over, the chains clanking with every step. My heart raced, and darkness threatened at the edges of my vision.

No. It would be okay. I just needed to get through it, then get away to warn Eli.

Closing my eyes, I pictured the picnic, willing my mind to dwell in those memories instead of here.

A sharp crack sounded and fiery pain burst across my back as the lash made contact. My muscles spasmed, and I stumbled.

"Grab the chains. It'll make it easier," Olren whispered.

I gripped the cool metal between my fingers and waited for the next lash. The whip cracked again, and it felt like lightning struck my skin. I bit my lip to hold in the scream.

Twenty-eight left. I couldn't start screaming yet.

Five lashes later, I couldn't hold the sounds in anymore and tears streamed down my cheeks.

After another five lashes I wasn't even pretending to be okay.

By twenty lashes, I was begging him to stop, and by thirty, I was silent — the lashes an unending fire across my back as I hung loosely on the chains.

My entire body shook as wet blood coated my skin and dripped to my feet.

"I'm sorry," Olren said, patting my shoulder, "I tried to go easy, but your skin …" He unlocked my fetters, then motioned for me to follow him.

My body was on fire and I could barely move, but I focused on Eli — probably still in the clearing, completely unaware. I couldn't let him get captured!

We passed the front desk, and I dropped my hand to the wooden surface so I could rest for a moment. Gav stepped out of his office and smirked at me, letting his eyes drift down my body. Disgust made my stomach spasm, and I bent to hurl on the floor at his feet.

He leaped back, lips twisted into a smug smile. "I didn't know you had it in ya, Olren. Told Captain I'd have to follow up with some extra lashes … but I guess I won't. We wouldn't want her dying on us, now would we?"

The lashes had been the worst pain I'd ever felt, but it would have been a hundred times worse if any of the other constables had done it.

We slipped through the front doors, and Olren passed me a bag with my personal items inside.

"Thank you." My voice was weak.

"Just stay safe, okay?" Then he stepped away and back into the building.

I stood, finally alone, and took a deep breath.

Sharp pain shot across my back and my vision went blurry. I bit my cheek to hold my moan inside.

Eli — I had to get to him.

Steadying myself, I walked through town as quickly as my body would allow. I would find Eli and warn him in time …

---