A Call for Brighter Days: Aeriel Trilogy #2

Agony crackled through his veins like electricity. His body jerked and twisted in a desperate (if futile) bid to get away from the sif digging into his flesh. As expected, his vision began to darken at the edges.

Shwaan blinked, forcing himself to focus on the spiteful, contorted visage of the man straddling him. Oblivion wasn’t a luxury he could afford – not while he remained trapped in this dank hellscape, literally and figuratively under Janak Nath’s thumb.

Realizing he had Shwaan’s attention once more, Janak grinned, his yellowing teeth glinting in the poorly lit cell. He reached out, gaze fixed on his captive. A sharp pain lanced through Shwaan’s left wing.

Janak’s manic obsession with his wings would’ve been unnerving, even had Shwaan not been lying on the cold, stone floor of Reivaa’s castle, wrapped in sif and completely at his mercy.

As it was, the look in the man’s eyes terrified him, even as thick fingers carded through his feathers. Agony flared every time they touched a gash or a bruise that refused to heal.

The distant clang of metal gates drew Janak’s predatory gaze away from him. His bestial grin twisted into something that sent a chill down Shwaan’s spine.

“Well.” Janak clambered unsteadily to his feet, his dark eyes alight with anticipation. “Looks like it’s finally time for the reunion.”

A few minutes later, Simani was dragged into his cell. Her clothes were torn and mud-splattered, an ugly bruise darkening the skin around her left eye. Shwaan’s throat constricted at the sight. He bit his lip, forcing himself to stay quiet. His concern wouldn’t do her any good, not here. If anything, it’d draw Janak’s attention to her – if only as another tool to torture him with.

Kaheen stepped into the cell after Simani, shutting the door behind her. Her expression was blank, her posture relaxed yet vigilant. She gazed down at Simani – who’d collapsed to the hard, stone floor – like she was a particularly disgusting bug waiting to be crushed underfoot.

“I’m glad to see Lyhaan’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain,” Janak drawled, his eyes on Simani. “Although, I can’t deny I’d have been happier to see Kinoh here instead.”

Kaheen inclined her head. “I tried. But he’s stronger than I’d anticipated. Faster, too. I don’t think I’ve encountered another Hunter who could’ve held me off single-handedly. Kinoh certainly deserves his reputation.

“I could’ve persisted, of course. But a bird in hand,” she glanced down at Simani. “I thought, perhaps, we could use her to lure Ruban into the castle. Take our time with them both. After all, how often do we get the opportunity to extend our hospitality to two of the most famous Hunters in the land? Not to mention, it might be entertaining for Shwaan, too.” Kaheen’s lips curled into a sneer. “Spending some quality time with the humans he so nobly sacrificed himself for. We can all have a bit of fun before it’s over.”

Janak’s eyes narrowed. “You’re sure he’ll come for her, then?”

“As the sun will rise in the east, come dawn. He killed Lyhaan to try and protect her; not that it did him much good, in the end. And he traded Shwaan for her back in Ghorib, you know that as well as I do.

“As long as he believes she’s alive, Ruban Kinoh will come for her, sooner or later. All we need to do now is await his arrival.” Kaheen’s flinty gaze darted from Simani to Shwaan. “And entertain ourselves as best we can, in the meantime.”

“I can’t imagine that’ll be a hardship.” A vicious smile lit Janak’s rawboned features. “I’ll leave you to it, then. You’ve proved your loyalty, Kaheen. Beyond my expectations. Consider this,” he poked Shwaan’s ribs with the toe of a heavy leather boot. “Your reward, for the evening.”

He turned and swept out of the cell, three men at his heels. The two that remained took up positions just outside the door, their weapons at the ready.

With a supercilious sneer, Kaheen slammed the door in their faces.

Moments later, Shwaan was in Simani’s arms, being lifted off the floor as gentle fingers pushed loose strands of hair out of his eyes. “Oh God,” she murmured, wiping his face with the hem of her tattered tunic. “What’ve they done to you?”

“Nothing that won’t get a whole lot worse, with you in Janak Nath’s clutches. Dammit, Simani!” Shwaan allowed himself to be maneuvered into a sitting position against the far wall, his wings scraping painfully against the jagged stones. He fought to keep his voice steady. “What’re you doing here? How did you–”

“Keep your voice down!” Kaheen hissed, taking a step towards the door. “You two aren’t supposed to be chattering in here.”

“No,” he sighed. “I take it you’re supposed to be wreaking your vengeance on me–”

“And making her watch as I do it.” Kaheen’s gaze rested on Simani, her wings twitching. “So unless you want the two morons eavesdropping outside to come in and lend me a helping hand, start sounding appropriately distressed.”

At Shwaan’s raised eyebrow, she grabbed his frayed collar and hissed into his ear: “Scream!”

Freeing himself with a groan, Shwaan leaned into Simani’s comforting touch, breathing in the fading fragrance of her shampoo. It smelt sweet and soothing. Safe.

He was losing his mind.

“I’ll do you one better,” he rasped, swallowing against the now familiar dryness in his throat. “I don’t know what you two are playing at. But while you’re here, Simani, you might as well help me rid myself of all the damned sif under my skin.”

He tilted his head back, exposing the scorched flesh at the base of his throat.

Simani sucked in a sharp breath. “What the hell happened–”