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“She better.”
The guard laughed, as if enjoying his preys’ panic. “What will yousoldiersdo now? Especially withthatpitiful magic.”
Elementals held little respect for any magic other than their own, of course.
If she was going back in that cell, she’d do it on her terms. Thessa drew in a breath before stepping beside Leora. “There’s a wall behind us, you know. Must you play with your meals first?”
The guard snarled, Thessa’s words awakening an animal within him.
What he hadn't known was that there was an animal inside her too, desperate for escape. “Move.” Thessa shoved Leora behind her, taking the witch off her feet. “Let’s have it then, me first.”
The look on his face turned wicked as he drew both arms towards her. Thessa stood tall as he sent flames spiraling around each of her wrists.
The guard sneered, “Too easy,” then looked to Leora,sending fire-cuffs around her wrists too. “You should’ve thrown some stardust out for good luck,” he chided.
Leora whimpered in pain.
“No!” Thessa called out, trying to shield Leora from him. Searing pain coursed through her arms; pain so awful she collapsed. She panted through her teeth, refusing to scream.
“Now that I have you both cuffed up,” he drawled, “what fun shall I have? I’ve been wanting to practice some new methods of interrogation.”
His magic continued to glow; his personal supply of cruelty illuminating the dimly lit hall. He stepped closer and laughed again. “Looks like I get to do whatever I want.”
Thessa glared. “Hades wouldn’t have you, you know. That’s likely why you’ve been assigned to dungeon duty. I can’t imagine anyone wants to be aroundyou.”
He crouched down before her, flashing his teeth.
Thessa jerked back in response, pain coursing through her again.
His flaming fingers wrapped around her neck and squeezed. “Shut up, witch,” was all he said.
Thessa was trapped between her last breath and scorching heat. She closed her eyes remembering what she’d practiced, even blocking out Leora’s cries.
When she opened them, her fingertips were as black as soot. One pulse of her magic and the fire-cuffs around her wrists vanished. She eyed Leora in wonderment, but her cuffs were still intact.
The guard stopped sneering and released his grip. “What in the?—”
Thessa spat, “As I was saying, even Hades would find you rather unpleasant.”
He stood, taking his hands into the shape of a ball and conjuring a sphere of flame so hot that Thessa began tosweat. “Looks like today is my lucky day. I get my very own demon to play with.”
The flaming ball hovered atop his hand, looking strong enough to sear a hole through her abdomen. Thessa rested a few feet away from death, and she had no idea how to use her magic.
“Tell me who sent you?” he asked.
She wouldn’t tell this flaming puppet anything. An inhale for strength sent her magic free, but the silky, black ribbons only twirled around her.
Help.
As if listening, her magic hovered before her, like a shield. A speck of fear shone in her predator’s eyes, but it was gone in a blink. “Last chance.”
Thessa pursed her lips.
His face shifted into disgust as he hurled the flaming sphere towards her.
Leora screamed.
Thessa curled, bracing for impact, but the fireball was consumed by her magic. Sizzling smoke remained in its wake.