Page 6 of Dark Fae's Desires
“You get used to it,” a voice hisses out of thedarkness.
I freeze. I had no idea that someone else was down here with me. It’s pitch black. My eyes are getting used to the darkness in the way that they do, but I can’tsee.Certainly not as far as the voice.
After a beat, I lick my lips. “Who are you?”
Silence.
I bite the inside of my lip, wondering if I should pursue a conversation with him, definitely a him from his voice.
“Can’t remember,” he rasps, his voice hoarse from disuse, the cold or the smell. Probably all three.
“I’m Savannah. Savvie,” I say, trying to put him at ease.
More silence.
“Uhm, how long have you been here?” I ask and then wish that I could kick my own ass for the stupid question. He’s in a fuckingdungeon, not hanging out in the village inn waiting for his buddies to show up.
“Uhm,” he murmurs. “Don’t know.”
“Oh,” I mutter and fall into a small depressive state before I drag myself out of it. Wallowing in self-pity at my plight will only serve to hinder my ability to get out of here.
“Since the first King,” he suddenly says. “The original one. Not this one.”
My eyes widen and then I gulp. The original Light Fae King was Aelfric. He died about twenty-five years ago. That means he has been down here forat leasta quarter of a century. Probably longer.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, unable to think of anything else to say.
He snorts. “You’re sorry? What didyoudo, child?”
“I just mean…”
“Save it,” he clips out. “I. Don’t. Need. Your pity.”
I blink at the cadence of his voice. Some words stilted, some rushed. It’s like he isn’t used to speaking.
The wave of sorrow that I feel coming from him makes me edge to the side of the cage, closer to where his voice is coming from.
Gripping the iron bars, I hiss as the burn scorches my palms, but I grit my teeth against it. It keeps me focused.
“I plan on getting out of here. I’ll rescue you when I do.” I make this foolish promise to him, unable to help myself. His desolation is making me feel dizzy and I stumble back. “You’re in so much pain,” I murmur, putting my hand to my head.
There’s a rattle of chains and then a clang as if they’re being thrown against the bars of a cage. “Empath?” he hisses.
“Uhm… uhm… yes. I’m Dark Fae,” I stammer as I try to get my power under control.
“Your. Powers. Work,” he grits out. “How?”
“I’m not…”
“HOW?” he roars, the chains resounding against the bars again. At least it would be a roar if his voice worked properly.
“Uhm…” I falter. I have no idea. This cage has magick dampening power infused into it. I can’t Puffport out of here, and I probably can’t draw fire power to me. I try to create an orb, but I fail. “No powers,” I state.
“Yes. You. Do,Empath.”
I shake my head.
“Girl!”
