227 Darkness and Pain

AYLETH

Everything in her body hurt—bones, muscles, joints. Everything cried out for relief. Everywhere. She couldn't move. Her chest was on fire and her vision began to tunnel as her body screamed for air.

Somewhere in the back of her mind she was vaguely aware of Falek holding her mother, his blade to her throat, and Borshe beside him, binding her mother's hands.

Falek's eyes were wide and red-rimmed, his face a mask of fury.

"Tell me to do it, Ayleth! I'll do it! Tell me to kill her!"

"The power is not in the flesh!" Quwan barked. "Remember your focus!"

Ayleth heard it all, but she couldn't respond. As her body began to twitch and scream at her for relief, she could only look at Etan, slumped over her chest, restricting it even further. But he groaned and seemed unable to move.

The shard of that fucking vial stood out from his back.