Heart Stone by J.A. Culican & H.M. Gooden

Author:J.A. Culican & H.M. Gooden [Culican, J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragon Realm Press
Published: 2019-09-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The ropes burned my wrists and I knew I’d have chafe marks later. Once I'd resigned myself to the fact Jaydra had turned her back and wouldn’t listen to anything else I had to say, I’d gone quietly. Although a dungeon was hardly ideal for planning or achieving our goals, the alternative if I angered her would certainly be worse.

Her sharp featured face and shrewd eyes had warned more clearly than her words had; she was a leader who had no problem ruling by force or fear. If there was a way to make her listen, arguing was not it.

Which was why we allowed ourselves to be led, unprotestingly, toward the ominous-sounding dungeon she’d consigned us to. This time, our young guard led us.

Gwen was beside him, followed meekly by her three wolves. I was in the middle with the lead scavenger keeping a firm grip on both guys. Based on my young servant’s expression, it bordered on painful.

Will, of course, had his usual smirk present, but a faint tightening around his eyes told me he was just as uncomfortable.

The building we were walking through appeared to have been designed as a home and headquarters. It was every bit as large and winding as the castle I'd grown up in, but the aesthetics were different. It had no beautiful tapestries or works of art. Instead, the walls themselves were embellished with engraved archways and ornate mosaic tile work, creating a functional beauty I found as lovely as my own home.

At least until we went down a flight of stairs.

The walls became a plain gray stone, without any decoration save for torch brackets on the walls every few feet. The hallway was lit with an eerie yellow glow, which did nothing to dispel the shadows pooling in the corners.

I shivered. Even above ground with the wind, I hadn't felt cold until now. From the unfamiliar dampness I guessed we must be subterranean. I hoped we didn't have to spend long down here, as the climate didn’t feel suitable for maintaining healthy prisoners.

"Enjoy your stay." The lead scavenger spoke for the first time.

I waited as he unbound my wrists, bothered by the cruel smirk on his face. It was obvious he enjoyed putting people in the dungeon. Another chill crept over my back as I recognized the look in his eyes. He also looked like he would enjoy causing pain.

I stepped back, worried he was going to strike me as the look in his eye darkened, becoming menacing. Just as I prepared to defend myself, the younger guard unlocked a large metal door and gestured for us to enter.

Gwen and the wolves went first, and I gratefully followed, eager to escape the evil in the leader’s eyes. The guard opened the door to a cage about half the size of the room, and we walked in, followed by Will and Sel. The guard slammed the door shut, leaving without a word. The metal door shut behind him, the ominous clank of a key in the lock echoing in the silent stone chamber.

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