Page 76 of Soul of Thorns
“You’ll pay for your insubordination.” A sharp blade presses to the soft spot under my chin.
“Every pet must be trained,” a deep voice sounds through the darkness. Not the Night Terror.
The ground rumbles with laughter, the blade pressing to my neck bounces, pressure easing, and growing. I wince at the sting.
“Very true. How should I punish his bad behavior?”
Several booms ricochet through the space. Footsteps? Is it the manticore?
“Pain,” the voice answers with a hiss of pleasure.
“Are you offering aid in this endeavor? Are you experienced in training willful beings?”
“Experienced? Perhaps not. A willing learner? Most definitely.”
“Very well, my beast, as a reward for your obedience, you may punish the fae prince. But he must not die. If he dies, you will follow him quickly.”
The blade recedes from my neck, and she slithers away. “Have fun with your toy.” Her laughter resounds through the darkness, but then the branches holding me loosen their grip and I fall to the ground. I expected dirt or mud but instead find solid stone.
My heart pounds, muscles already tense, waiting for the pain to come.
Another three booming footsteps, and then I can feel his breath on my face. The manticore picks me up by my leg, hanging me in the air like a rag doll. I hold back any cries or whimpers of fear. I won’t give him the satisfaction—not yet at least.
I don’t expect I’ll be able to help myself soon.
“Ready to begin, child?”
Caelynn
Every step of the way, I’ve followed their plan.
The Night Bringer wanted me to follow Rev into the Schorchedlands. That’s why Rev’s father exposed his deal with the Night Bringer only after I’d broken Rev’s heart and he’d fled toward the Wicked Gates.
It was part of their plan.
The Night Bringer wanted me to let Reahgan kill me. He wanted me to give up and allow my own death.
