In a deep and damp cavern carved by force of nature and time into jagged black stone, sharp as broken teeth.
Shadows flickered against the rough walls, cast by a ring of torches that burned with restless orange flame.
Outside, the moon hung high in the sky, cold and distant, offering no warmth to the hellish glow within.
Dozens of people stood in silence, eyes gleaming with curiosity or hunger, drawn by the cruelty unfolding at the center of the chamber.
Bound to a thick ironwood post, two girls slumped in silence.
Their robes were torn, smeared with dried blood and dirt. One of the girl lifted her head, barely.
Her face, pale from blood loss, still burned with defiance.
The youth stepped forward, a smile curling on his lips.
He was too clean for this place, silken robes embroidered in silver thread, boots without a speck of dust.
His hair was tied neatly back, his features handsome in the most disarming, venomous way.
