in the cave, smothering all sound ex

er at the blackened, ugly wound on Genevieve's stomach. "What kind of dark ma

the simple, brutal science of a world he couldn't im

oo

rm. He walked over to a stone basin in the corner and retrieved a piece of dried beast mea

er with a dull thud and clattere

ld barely make a dent. She held it over the fire, letting the heat soften it just enough to be to

spread through her chilled limbs

o longer looking at a dying woman they despised. They were wat

p, steadying breath. Using the wall for support, she pushed her

oice, when she spoke, was raspy but clear, st

ent flat and factual. "But I promise you, f

ce like a stone in a still pond.

Angelo, who was still hiding behind him. "Not abuse us?" he roared, his voice cracking with rage. "Lo

pang of something-guilt, pity-shot through her. It

t argue.

nal's cruelty. But her vision was blurring, and she had absolutely no energy left to carefully navigate their trauma. She needed someone close by in case

no room for argument. "You will stay here t

ave e

ld to "stay" by the Mistress... it didn't

rom under him, a choked sob of pure terror escaping his lips. H

wicked-looking bone knife from his belt, planting him

growled, his eyes a burning gol

e cold stone floor. "Mistress, please," he begged, his voice trembli

is body coiled like a spring, ready

angerous slits. "Don't push us, Genevieve," he warned, his voice l

n and love for their brother. A wave of weary sadness washed over her.

o use the

s pointed towards the roof of the cave. Her expression became solemn

ach word a heavy, deliberate stone

or god hung in the ai

use him any pain or suffering, may the creator's fire cons

l, echoed in the sudden, pr