Page 98 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

She vaguely recognized him as one of Venko’s closest men; he’d been in their office before. Venko must have been directed to bring someone in, as he hadn’t had a companion before, and it was clear he hadn’t been given the reason why.

Zaddock’s and Merrick’s faces remained stoic, and Lessia drew a trembling breath as she studied the Fae’s hard features.

He knew exactly what the worst way of torturing her would be.

“I know this isn’t what most of you expected. But in war, friend turns on friend, and you need to understand the implications of not just the physical pain but the emotional one as well.”

Frayson met each set of eyes before he continued. “You will be going one by one, and no one is allowed to leave untilthe last of you has been interrogated. We have healers here that will tend those of you that go first, and one will stay with you during the night should you wish.”

His kind eyes shifted back to Lessia. “I’m afraid to say it’s ladies first.”

Chapter

Forty-Four

Merrick stalked forward, and Lessia took a shaking step as well.

Frayson started toward a dark hallway where no light betrayed what lay at the end, but as she was about to follow him, Merrick by her side, a hand wrapped around her arm.

When Lessia turned her head over her shoulder, Loche stared at her with a wrinkle between his dark brows, eyes darting between hers.

“What is it?” she asked quietly, acutely aware the whole room watched them.

Loche’s nostrils flared, but when he opened his mouth, no sound came out.

Releasing her, he stepped to the side and approached a wary-looking Zaddock.

Brows pulling, she cast a final look his way, but Loche’s eyes remained on the ground, his shoulders tense and hands behind his back, so with a shrug, she followed Frayson and Merrickinto the darkness.

Merrick grabbed a lantern off the wall, and he slowed his stride until she reached him a few steps into the hallway.

Casting him a grateful look, she kept Frayson’s slow pace until only their soft breaths and the sound of water dripping bounced off the curved walls.

After a while, the hallway opened to a murky chamber without windows, where a large wooden chair with chains wrapped around the arms and legs was placed in the middle. To her side, a large, corroded tub stood, and the smell of stale water hit her like a wave.

Guards lined the white walls, standing almost shoulder to shoulder, and large lanterns had been placed on either side of the opening.

Still, an ember of gratitude settled within her chest when Merrick placed the one he’d brought right by the chair, as little light reached the area.

Frayson cleared his throat, eyeing them both but avoiding Lessia’s gaze. “Please know I take no pleasure in what comes next. We will ask you a number of questions, Lessia. They may not be easy ones, so forgive us for any pain they might bring. As we would in a normal interrogation, we will ask Merrick to give you…” Frayson winced. “To give you a little encouragement to tell us the truth.”

Two guards stepped forward, each taking a place on one side of the chair, and tingles of unease shot down Lessia’s spine when they fixed their eyes on her face.

With a nod, Frayson continued. “These men are trained in detecting lies, the best in our armies. They’ve interrogated spies for years and will be the ones asking you questions. Please do not try to lie, Lessia. We see it every year, and it will make this more uncomfortable for everyone.”

She tried hard not to grimace.

Frayson meant well.

But the only one who would be uncomfortable soon was her.

Merrick wasn’t a stranger to torture; he’d done it before, and he’d do it again.

Based on the gilded shield-and-sword symbols on their black jackets, signifying high rank, the soldiers in the room must all have received similar training.

Straightening her spine, she offered Frayson a forced smile. “Shall we get on with it?”

Best to have it over with.

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