Page 103 of A Sanctuary from Shadow
Something awful eclipsed what small light remained in his eyes. “Gentian hated that I’d refused him. He deplored me as it was—mouthy as I am. He’d bet against me in every match, hoping I’d lose. Well, my rejection of his offer made him downright barbarous toward me. He changed my fighting schedule to multiple matches a week, randomly, too, so I’d have no chance to prepare myself—to know when to rally my power. And he decreased my rations by half—making me eat the meat of the fighters I killed.”
Goddess, I was going to puke again.
“He moved me to a cage in the middle of his throne room, so his wealthy guests could heckle or tease me during gatherings—so I could watch them commit gluttony at every meal—while I starved.”
My soul twisted inside me.
“But I held out hope that one day things would change.” Pete cleared his throat and went on. “I prayed that someone, somewhere would learn how Gentian abused his slaves and stop him, if they didn’t abolish slavery outright.”
His face screwed in a way that made me shiver. “And then one day, our wondrous King Laurustinus strolled into Gentian’s Shadow Palace in all his finery and regalia.”
I gulped down an onslaught of tears.Daddy, no, I pleaded with his ghost.
“And I thought—here he is, at last! My savior! My angel from heaven, sent to end my eternity of enslavement—to break me from my living hell!”
I couldn’t bear to hear the rest.
“But the angel took one pained look at me, starving and dirty in my cage, and moved along to the feast.”
No!
“He didn’t so much as glance my way, didn’t speak of the atrocities before him, though Gentian made certain to rectify any ignorance. He boasted of all the horrid things he did to his Forgottens—that’s what he called us—and implored our good king to watch a match.
“To his credit, the king declined, but he lifted not a single finger to help us Forgottens. He issued no royal decrees. He walked away from the Shadow Court, away from us, as if we didn’t matter. Didn’t exist at all. And I knew then that Iwasforgotten. That I’d die a slave in a cage or a mutilated hulk in Gentian’s fighting ring. And no moral I’d ever had seemed to hold its weight anymore.
“The next time Gentian offered to break me from my cage and make me a harbinger, I agreed.”
I swiped a river off my cheek, hoping he hadn’t seen.
“Then—”
How is this horror story not over yet?
“Gentian required something more of me—if I wanted the freedom of a harbinger. Since I’d resisted his will for so long, he didn’t trust my loyalty. So, he made me drink a tonic he claimed would ensure my good behavior. I was in such a despairing state, I didn’t give a bloody shite.” His mouth quivered. “I did care moments after I drank the thing—when I felt my soul drowning. He’d not given me a simple tonic to keep me in line. He’d drugged me with death poppy. The oil from that plant is rife with void magic, and it unbalanced my internal system of power—sucked the light straight out of me and turned me demonic within two heartbeats.”
I hopped up from Pete’s side like a scorpion had stung me.
Pete rolled his eyes. “Fret not, Shorty, I’m not demonic now.”
I studied his face like I might find Satan there. “How? Is there a cure for demonic possession? You got exorcists here?”
“In a manner of speaking. That good siren I spoke of—”
“Yeah?”
“Her song shook me out of the death poppy’s grip. Saving my soul. Saving me.”
“How would a song do that?” If my mother had been a siren, wasn’t it possible I’d inherited her gift? I’d gotten her nocturnal premonitions, after all.Thanks, Mom.Did a magic voice lay dormant in my throat?Maybe it can carry a tune better too.“I know you said a siren’s voice is a weapon but—”
“At leastthatsiren’s song was like a healthy dose of burning hot crystal magic. Anyhow, hers was strong enough to upset that void within me—so heavy it was crushing my spirit.”
“If she cured you, why do your eyes turn black sometimes?”
“Ah, so you’ve noticed that minor detail, have you?” He shrugged. “I suppose it’s a bit like the alcoholism I’ve heard tell is a common malady in the human world these days. Of course, in my time there, an abundant fondness for the drink just meant you were a jolly craic.”
I assumedcraicmeant a fun time.
“Anyhow, I’ve subdued the poison, aye, but it still skulks about within me. Ready to take the reins. So, I must maintain a careful balance, lest I feed the void too much.”
