Page 58 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“It’s not working,” Andras crooned smoothly. “The book must be translated first. It should inform us how to create a new portal. The torture may end up killing her. We cannot retrieve the remainder of our forces if she’s dead.”

“One more week,” Deidamia spat. “If her magic doesn’tcome by then, I’m increasing the length of her sessions. We may even need to bring in one of our creatures to terrorize her.”

Their voices lowered again and faded away as they exited the tent, leaving her alone with Remy. Fear washed over her as she took in what Deidamia said. How could they extend her sessions? Surely, she would die if they went any longer. She shuddered at the thought of how they might use those creatures she had seen the day they arrived at camp. Their growls and cries often floated into the tent at night and infiltrated her dreams.

Ava lay there; thoughts still foggy as she reminded herself that she was going to escape. She’d figure it out somehow. And she would take Remy with her.

Ava, can you hear me?Luna spoke into her mind.

“Yes. Where are you?”

I think I found help. Hang on just a little longer.

“They have the book, Luna.”She had forgotten all about it until she heard them mention it.

I know. But we can’t worry about that right now. You must get far away.

“How?”

There will be an opening for you to escape. Soon.

“Hurry.”

I will.

“We need to get to the capital of the earth kingdom.”

I know. I’ll be waiting for you,Luna replied and then she was gone. Mind silent again.

Help was coming. She had to hold out a little more; endure the pain and torture and then she could get out of this living nightmare and make her way home. Not to the farm, but to her true home. Monterre.

21

The healer worked on her back, cleaning the acid from Ava’s wounds. Deidamia had promised to increase their efforts and she was true to her word. The acidic powder The Scourge had rubbed into the deep lacerations along her back had burned so intensely she had wished for death. Begged for it. Cried and pleaded for the release from the pain.

Even Andras participated this time, slicing her right thigh with a jagged knife and rubbing that powder deep into her leg. “It will be a beautiful scar to remember me by, dear.”

The healer moved tenderly and without speed, taking more time than necessary and attended to Ava with care. The other healers were rushed and coarse, but this one was different; compassionate.

Ava turned slightly to get a look at the healer. She wasn’t brutal and terrifying, and empathy radiated from her silver eyes, black curls and dark-skinned face. Tall, with pointed ears; she was fae. Not a daemon like the others.

“I’ve never seen you before,” Ava said, voice barely audible.

“Some healers are not here willingly.”

“Have you tried to escape?” Ava asked.

Careful, she had to be so careful in case she decided to inform the guards of her questions, to protect her own hide. She had been forbidden to speak to the healers and she hadn’t tried. Not until now.

“It’s not time yet,” she said bluntly.

“Why?” she asked.

“These are dangerous questions, Ava.” The healer dabbed a healing oil into Ava’s wounds and she winced. “How do you know I won’t report you? Don’t you know what they’ll do to you if they know you’re asking a healer about escaping?”

“It couldn’t be any worse than it already is right now.”

The healer leaned closer to Ava’s ear, whispering harshly. “You have no idea how much worse it can be. You best remember that.”

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