Chapter 10

  Elira’s grip on her sword tightened, her mind racing. This woman was no ordinary adversary. The aura she exuded was suffocating, her presence enough to paralyze even someone as seasoned as Elira.

  Still, Elira fought to steady her breathing, forcing herself to stay calm. “Who are you?” she managed to say, her voice low.

  The woman’s smile widened, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Now, now,” she said softly, “there’s no need for introductions. Let’s just say... I’m here to keep you out of trouble.”

  Elira’s pulse thundered in her ears as she weighed her options. She couldn’t let this woman intimidate her, not when someone’s life was at stake. But every instinct screamed that this wasn’t a battle she could win.

  The tension in the alleyway was suffocating as Arya’s glowing red eyes felt like they stared right into Elira’s soul. The woman’s presence was oppressive, radiating raw power in slow, pulsing waves. Each one pushed into Elira’s chest like daggers, gripping her heart with a primal fear that almost paralyzed her.

  “Do you know those two over there?” The woman asked casually, as if they were discussing acquaintances rather than criminals in the act of dragging a terrified girl.

  Elira swallowed hard but nodded. “Yes,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “That’s Kallen. The other one is...” She paused, the name slipping her mind.

  “Selene,” The woman replied with a smirk, as though savoring the name. “That’s her.”

  The air seemed to hum and crackle as her energy flared momentarily, making Elira’s skin prickle. Her glowing eyes narrowed, locking onto Elira as though trying to see through her very own essence.

  “I’m in the middle of something here,” The woman continued, her voice deceptively calm, “and I can’t have you interrupting those two.”

  Elira’s throat felt dry, but she forced herself to respond. “What about the girl?” she asked, her amber eyes flicking toward the young woman being dragged further into the alley. “They’re going to torture her... or kill her.”

  The woman smiled, her expression one of detached amusement. “I couldn’t care less about these lowly humans,” she said with a dismissive wave. “But since that girl is under the protection of my Lady, I won’t let things go as far as her dying. A bit of suffering, though?” Her smile widened, revealing sharp, white teeth. “That’s none of my concern.”

  The words sent a chill through Elira, but something else gnawed at her mind. ‘Lowly humans.’

  Her voice was quiet, almost hesitant, as she asked, “What... are you?”

  The woman chuckled softly, leaning in close to whisper into Elira’s ear. “A demon,” she said, her breath cool against Elira’s skin. “And the name’s Arya.”

  Elira’s breath hitched, her fear rising slightly, but she had suspected as much, so it wasn’t as big of a surprise. Arya’s power, her aura, her disdain for humanity—all of it pointed to something otherworldly. Even so, the confirmation sent a shiver down her spine.

  A sound of pain interrupted her thoughts. Elira’s gaze switched to Kallen as he delivered a brutal kick to the girl before resuming his task of dragging her away. Elira’s hand tightened on the hilt of her sword, every fiber of her being screaming to intervene.

  But she knew better. If she moved now, she would die.

  Arya’s arm around her shoulders tightened, as if reading her thoughts. “Don’t even think about it,” the demon said, her voice a threatening warning. “I already know where some of their hideouts and supply depots are. But the main location? That’s still a mystery. The two of them will take her there, and then we’ll have everything we need to raid the place.”

  Elira’s jaw clenched. “And the girl?”

  “She’ll survive,” Arya said with a dismissive shrug. “Even if she suffers a little in the process.”

  Arya sighed and stepped back, finally letting go of Elira as Kallen and Selene had already gone away from the alleyway. For a moment, the absence of her touch was almost as unsettling as her presence. It felt like she was now over with her and that this would mean death.

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  “But you,” Arya said, tilting her head as she regarded Elira, “you’re an interesting one. The best thing would be to kill you right here and now.”

  Elira took a step back, her heart pounding. Her grip on her sword was so tight her knuckles whitened.

  Arya seemed to ponder her own words, her eyes flicking over Elira’s face. “You’ve got a pretty face,” she mused, almost to herself. “Those amber eyes... they don’t look entirely human, do they?”

  Elira’s breathing was heavy, but she managed to respond. “I am human,” she said firmly. “But I come from a lineage of Witchers. We’re humans... just different.”

  Arya’s expression shifted, a mix of curiosity and amusement. “A Witcher, huh?” She chuckled again, the sound low and dangerous. “You should be grateful it’s me you met and not one of my sisters. They wouldn’t let you go so easily, pretty face or not.”

  Elira swallowed hard, her resolve wavering but unbroken. Arya’s words were a warning, but also a twisted kind of mercy. For now, Elira would live—but the implication was clear. This was a game, and Arya was setting the rules.

  The demon’s gaze lingered on Elira for a moment longer before she turned her attention back to the alley. “You’d do well to stay out of this,” Arya said over her shoulder. “Unless you want to lose more than your pretty face.”

  And with that, Arya vanished into some form of dark mist, leaving Elira alone with the cold rain and the sound of the girl’s muffled cries, that she could still hear due to her [Witcher Instinct] ability, fading into the distance.

  ***

  Kallen’s grip on Tuah’s hair was merciless, his grin widening as he dragged her across the rough alleyways as if she weighed nothing. Her sobs filled the silence, occasionally broken by a sharp kick from Selene, who walked beside them, her expression cold and detached.

  "Keep quiet," Selene snapped, delivering another harsh kick to Tuah’s ribs when her cries grew louder. The girl whimpered, her tears mingling with the dirt on her face as she was yanked forward.

  After a grueling walk, they arrived at a nondescript door hidden in some alleyway. Kallen shoved it open, revealing the dark entrance to an underground tunnel. The air grew damp and cold as they descended, the sound of dripping water echoing through the dimly lit passage.

  The tunnel stretched endlessly, winding deeper into the earth until they reached a heavily fortified cell block, probably already outside of the city considering how much they had walked. Rows of iron-barred cells lined the walls, their occupants too weak or broken to offer more than a passing glance at the new arrival. Kallen dragged Tuah to an empty cell and unceremoniously threw her inside. She hit the stone floor with a dull thud and lay there, unable to muster the strength to move.

  Selene stepped forward, her expression unreadable as she pulled a rusted lever on the wall. A hidden door within Tuah’s cell creaked open, revealing a small, dark enclosure. From it emerged two grotesque beasts, each about the size of a medium dog.

  These were nightmare creatures, their bodies bald and covered with wrinkled, dark gray skin. Their heads were oversized for their bodies, with wide mouths full of sharp teeth. Their glowing yellow eyes darted around the cell, sniffing the air, forked tongues flicking out to taste the scent of fear.

  Tuah crawled to a corner, her body shaking as hard sobs filled her chest. “Please,” she whispered, her voice broken and hoarse. “I’m sorry. Forgive me. Please...”

  Selene’s lips curled into a smile, her voice filled with mockery. “Oh, Tuah. You shouldn’t have run. You’ve caused such a mess for us.”

  Tuah’s tears flowed freely as she clung to the wall. “I’ll die! Please, don’t do this!”

  Selene crouched to meet Tuah’s terrified gaze, her smile widening. “Die? Oh, no, darling. You don’t need to worry about that just yet. These little ones eat in very small bites. It’ll take hours before they finish you off completely.” She straightened, brushing off her clothes. “Of course, we’ll stop them before that happens. Can’t have you dying, after all.”

  Kallen, leaning casually against the cell bars, chuckled. “Is this really necessary?” he asked, though his amusement was clear.

  Selene shot him a sharp look. “It’s a good reminder of what happens when someone tries to flee.”

  “Whatever,” Kallen replied with a shrug. “Let’s just get this over with. We still have to figure out how to clean up this mess.”

  Leaving Tuah sobbing in the cell, the two walked further into the hideout. The air grew warmer as they approached the meeting room, where a round table dominated the center of the space. Already seated were Dregan, Elias, and Orin, whose piercing eyes seemed to see through everything.

  Selene looked around, noting the absence of two others. “Where’s Maldrath?” she asked as she approached the table.

  “Running errands,” Elias replied, not looking up.

  “And Valyria?”

  Orin leaned back in his chair, his tone nonchalant. “Eastern hideout. Said she was resolving something.”

  Selene huffed in irritation, crossing her arms. “Resolving something,” she muttered under her breath. “She’s just trying to dodge responsibility for Tuah’s escape.”

  “Perhaps,” Orin said with a shrug.

  Elias didn’t bother sitting down, instead pacing as he addressed the group. “What’s the plan for the girl? And how do we handle the fallout with those two noblewomen?”

  Selene’s eyes gleamed with malice. “The girl will be reminded of what happens when someone flees. Then she’ll work twice as hard in the brothel. Let’s see if she dares to think about escaping again.”

  Orin nodded, his expression calm. “I can handle the nobles if it comes to that. They’re not the first we’ve had to deal with, and they won’t be the last.”

  Elias considered this, his fingers tapping against the table. “Good. But we need to be careful. If they press too hard, things could escalate.”

  Dregan finally spoke, his deep voice rumbling through the room. “This incident better not repeat itself,” he growled. “We’re running a tight operation here, and I won’t have it jeopardized by carelessness.”

  Selene smirked, leaning against the table. “It won’t. Tuah will serve as an example to the others. And any lose ends with the noble women will be resolved.”

  The group exchanged looks, a silent agreement passing between them. Their focus now shifted to the broader implications of the situation, their plans for control taking shape.

  As the discussion continued, the distant sound of Tuah’s sobs and cries could be heard faintly through the tunnels.