Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(50)

“I’m not waiting another two decades to find the new Kriger.” He clasped his hands behind his back.

“If only I had my magic.” A cruel smile formed on her lips. “Oh, but you do. There are things you can do to her.” Skog Heks’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

“I would love to use your magic on her,” he said. “However, this room is encased with a spell which prevents magic from being used.”

“We could take her to my secret chamber,” she suggested, making a bizarre noise with her mouth, like an animal salivating before a kill.

“No. Then she could use her own power to defend herself.” He strode through the room, briefly stopping before each contraption. “Move her to the rack,” Morlet ordered the two soldats. “That shouldn’t do too much damage as long as we don’t pull hard enough to rip her limbs from her body.” He laughed, the sound making my stomach twist. Why had I felt sympathy for this man?

The men untied me from the table. Even though my body was weak, I swung my fist, punching the man to my left. He didn’t even flinch. They dragged me over to the rack, pulling my arms up and attaching them before locking my ankles in place.

“One rotation,” Morlet said. The soldats each took hold of the rollers and turned.

My arms stretched up, my legs down. I screamed—my limbs were about to pop out of their sockets.

Skog Heks came before me. “Where is it?” she demanded. Her plump fingers grabbed my chin, squeezing hard. She smelled of decaying rats.

I spat on her face.

“Foolish human child,” she said, backhanding me across the cheek. My vision blurred. “I can’t wait to drain the life from your pathetic body.”

“Enough,” Morlet ordered. “If Kaia passes out, she can’t answer. Let me do this my way. I’ve torn enough limbs from bodies to know how far to go.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Let’s take her to the tower and bring the other Krigers up. We can force them to link powers, and then you can enter their minds. Discover where they retrieved their weapons. From that, you should be able to figure out where hers is.”

“That will work,” Morlet answered. “Since it’s easiest for the Krigers to link powers at dawn’s first light when the moons are still visible, we’ll do it then.”

Skog Heks nodded and left the room.

“Quarter turn,” he instructed the soldats.

They complied, and my body stretched farther apart. I screamed a blood-curdling sound.

“I’m sorry,” Morlet murmured. “You are going to die. You might as well live your last hours in relative comfort instead of being tortured.” He leaned in so close his breath caressed my face. “My Kaia, why do you have to be a Kriger? I wish things were different.”

“But they’re not,” I said. He reached out and touched my face with the tip of his fingers. “Don’t touch me,” I begged.

“There’s something about you.”

“I’m a Kriger who is going to kill you,” I growled.

His brows pinched together as if trying to figure something out. “What is your mother’s name?” he asked.

“I don’t have one. She died when I was born.”

Morlet shook his head. “You remind me of someone. She ended up ruining me. I can’t make the same mistake twice.” He took a step away from me. “I will kill you,” he declared, his voice steady and calm. He turned to the soldats. “Release her and follow me.”

They undid my bindings, and I crumpled to the floor, unable to stand. One of the men lifted me in his arms, and I turned my head toward his chest, willing the excruciating pain to go away.

A few minutes later, he laid me on a soft bed and left. I was in Morlet’s bedchamber. “Why am I here?” I demanded as a new fear set in. We were alone in his bedchamber, and in my condition, I was completely vulnerable.

“I couldn’t put you back in the coffin,” he admitted. “Besides, you need to rest. In a few hours, I’m taking you to the tower. Once my men have retrieved your weapon, we’ll end this once and for all.” He was a walking contradiction. I didn’t understand how he could be so evil, yet show kindness at the same time. He didn’t want to hurt me, yet he did it anyway.

Escape was impossible. Tears slid down my face—I’d never been in so much pain before. My body started shaking uncontrollably. Morlet sighed and removed his cape. What did he plan to do? If he attempted to harm me, I didn’t even have the energy to summon my power. I was at his mercy, and that scared me more than anything.

“Let me help you,” he gently said, sitting next to me.

“I don’t want your help.” This was probably another one of his lies meant to gain my trust before he stabbed me.

“You’re too stubborn for your own good.” He reached for me, and I jerked away, my vision blurring and my stomach cramping.

Morlet took hold of my tender arms.

“Leave me alone!” I wished I were somewhere else. Anywhere else. I’d rather die than have him take advantage of me or be tortured again.

“Kaia, look at me.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Morlet mumbled something unintelligible, and then warmth shot through me. My eyes flew open. His brows were pinched together, and his eyes were closed as he continued muttering. My muscles relaxed, and my stomach no longer hurt. His power freely flowed from his body to mine, rejuvenating and healing me.