She turned back to Aven and said, “What did you mean about being satisfied? You have to know by now that I won’t tell you anything.” Not that there was much left that he didn’t know, since Marcus would have already passed on everything he’d heard during his time with the elders. All Alex had left were the secrets he couldn’t possibly know about—her trip to the past, her familiarity with Niyx, how she’d Released Jordan, Kaiden’s dangerous gift and her lessons with Athora. The power of Aven’s blood lingering in her veins was also a mystery to him, though by now he had to at least have some ideas about that.
“We’re past the stage where I care what you have to say, Alexandra,” Aven said. “I’m in a position to receive everything I’ve ever desired, so I no longer need anything from you, least of all answers to questions that now mean little to me.”
That surprised Alex, just as it filled her with anxiety. If he wasn’t there to interrogate her, then what did he want?
Seeing the question in her gaze, a dark smile touched his lips. “You have been a thorn in my side ever since I met you,” he said in a sinister voice. “As much as I want you wiped from the face of this world, death would be too good for you. You have to suffer first.”
His golden eyes were lit with anticipation, causing shivers of foreboding to travel down Alex’s spine.
“Yes,” he said, his voice a contemplative whisper, as if he was imagining it playing out in his mind. “You will suffer physically first, until all you know is pain. Then you will suffer the anguish that comes with seeing those you love die. And if you survive longer than that, you will suffer until you are the last of your filthy race—indeed, perhaps the last mortal remaining in this world—and only then will I show you mercy and end your agony myself.”
Breathing raggedly at the picture he’d just laid out, Alex couldn’t help saying, “If that ending is your idea of mercy, then something has gone seriously wrong with your education.”
For a second, Alex thought the horrified groan she heard was out loud, but then she realised it was Niyx’s response to her comment across their mental link.
What in the name of the light are you thinking? he demanded. Stars, Aeylia—don’t antagonise him!
You heard him, Alex returned. He’s going to make me suffer no matter what I say. I might as well get a few licks in while I’ve still got the chance.
Don’t talk like that, he said in a harsh voice. We’re going to get you out of here.
Niyx, she said softly, we both know it’s not looking good.
“Perhaps mercy was the wrong word, but we won’t know until that day comes,” Aven said, the only evidence of his irritation at her blithe remark being a warning flash of his eyes. “In the meantime, I must admit, I’m impatient to get started. These last few weeks have been spent tediously waiting for the perfect time to carry out my next move, but now that you have failed to align the mortal races—don’t look so surprised, Alexandra, of course I know about that—I can finally take action.” His expression turned eager as he finished, “A new dawn is coming for this world, starting tomorrow when Medora will finally begin to feel the wrath of Meya.”
He stepped closer until he was right in her face. “From tomorrow, the mortals will experience pain unlike anything they’ve ever known. But you, my dear…” He reached out and trailed his fingertip along the curve of her cheek, his heated, hateful eyes boring into her own, “… your pain shall begin now.”
Stepping back just as suddenly as he’d moved forward, Aven turned to Niyx.
“Make her bleed. I want her in agony, but keep her alive.”
It was an order, one that a Claimed follower would be forced to carry out immediately.
But Niyx hesitated.
His delayed reaction lasted only a fraction of a second; enough that Alex, who knew he wasn’t Claimed, saw it, but no one else noticed, not even Aven.
Move, you idiot! Alex screamed at him, and he jolted forward in shocked response to her yelled demand. You have to do what he said or we’re both dead!
Niyx’s blazing amethyst eyes locked on hers as he walked slowly towards her. No way. I won’t hurt you.
You have to, she told him. The only chance I have of getting out of here is through you, but you have to be alive to do that—and you won’t be if Aven discovers the truth. He and his guards will take you down, then we’ll both be screwed!
Aeylia—
Think, Niyx! Alex interrupted firmly, holding his eyes with her own serious ones. You know you have to do this. For both our sakes. And everyone else’s.
His throat bobbing as he swallowed, Niyx drew out a long Myrox dagger, his hand giving a single wobble before he managed to steady it. Seeing the blade, Alex’s heart pounded furiously in her chest, enough for her to hope she would pass out before having to experience what was about to come next.
He wants you to bleed, Niyx said in an emotionless voice as he geared himself up to do what they both knew he must. But I can’t go for your arms or neck or anywhere else where he’ll be able to see me bleed as well.
Alex looked at the leathery vest and pants Niyx wore as he continued to slowly approach, knowing both would help hide the wounds he shared with her, as opposed to his thinly covered arms.
That means this is going to hurt, he warned. A lot.
Stomach clenching and her pulse now raging in her ears, Alex whispered, Just do it.
I’m so sorry, kitten, Niyx whispered back, his remorseful gaze locked on hers.
… And then he plunged his dagger into her side.
A scream of agony tore from Alex’s mouth and her vision blurred, but not before she saw Niyx wince from his own pain as well as at the horror of what he’d just done.
Bolts of lightning speared all along Alex’s torso as her nerves screamed along with her vocal chords, her arms all but ripping out of their sockets as she strained to get free from her bindings and curl protectively around herself. When she finally exhausted her fight and slumped against her chains, panting and blinded with pain, Aven spoke.
“Such a beautiful sound,” he said, moving forward to run a finger under her head and tilt her chin up. “I wish to hear it again. Niyx?”
The pain of the first wound blurred into that of the second, third, fourth and fifth as Aven ordered Niyx over and over to stab Alex like one would a pincushion. Her screams echoed around the cell until her throat was raw and her voice a hoarse, nearly silent whimper. Tears streamed down her face, soaking her clothes, along with blood from where she’d bitten through her own lip from the pain. Her jaw felt broken from her attempts to grit her teeth through the agony. She was weak from blood loss and exhaustion, her ankles and wrists rubbed raw from fighting the Moxyreel—something she realised partway through her torture that she would have to try and stop doing to keep Aven from seeing Niyx’s corresponding wounds.
Just when Alex was certain she wouldn’t be able to survive any more, Aven said, “Enough.”