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
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