Dragon's Tears

The whips tore into the skin on his back, and Kaiden did everything he could to hold in his screams. However, as the whipping persisted, the pain in his body intensified until he released a blood-curdling scream. He tried to catch his breath as the whip kept coming. Finally, his captors had grown tired, threw down the whip, and glared at him.

“You disappointed us, Kaiden. We expected a bigger fight from someone threatening to bring down The Shadow. Instead, you didn’t even put up a fight at all,” he said with a cocky smirk.

“Sorry to disappoint you; feel free to let me go, and I’ll put up a better fight next time,” Kaiden voiced smugly as he adjusted his body to help ease the pain.

The man slapped him across the face and then punched him forcefully in the stomach, causing Kaiden to cough for a few minutes and spit blood onto the floor. “I don’t think you will be getting away that easily. The Shadow wants you dead, and you are to suffer every second until I finally decide to kill you,” the thug arrogantly informed him through a black-toothed smile.

“Lucky me,” Kaiden rolled his eyes.

“You are awfully smug for someone about to die,” the brute responded as his face reddened in anger and his eyes narrowed. He balled up his fists and took more swings at the defenseless Kaiden, who could only helplessly take them.

* * *

Serenica watched the scenario in amazement. This thief could certainly take his hits, and he didn’t give up easily. She knew that with the head guy focused on beating up his prisoner, she would have the best opportunity to take out his friend who was still drinking in the back corner. Serenica slid across the floor into another dark crevice that allowed her better access into the room. She carefully took out her bow and adjusted her sights on the man who stood behind Kaiden’s abuser.

“Take a few more hits for me Thief, I’ll get you out soon,” she whispered as she stared at her target.

She knew it was now or never, she chose a path for the arrow to go behind the man that was whipping Kaiden. With a deep breath, she cocked and released her bow. Her aim was true, as the arrow connected with his face, causing him to fall. The sounds of the Kaiden’s screams muffled the gurgles and sounds the dying thug made. With a smile, Serenica gave the room one final look to ensure no one else was around. She had made that mistake once with The Shadow’s thugs; she wasn’t going to do it again. Standing to her feet, she then stumbled into the cell like she was drunk.

The man quickly stopped in his tracks as this girl stumbled in and began to scream at the corpse on the floor. “What the hell?!” He demanded as he looked at his friend. He then turned to Serenica and glared at her. “Who the hell are you?”

“These men drugged me, killed your friend, and ran off. Help me, please,” she frantically said as she pointed towards the hallway.

The thug looked around the room and down the hallway for the imaginary men who killed his friend until he realized that he was in the basement with a helpless, drugged girl. A mischievous smile crossed his face as he looked at Serenica. He then turned to Kaiden and rolled his eyes. The rogue could wait. Finally, he approached Serenica with a smile and lustfully looked over her body. “We will get them later; they can’t go for with The Shadow hunting them. How about I make sure you are okay first?” The man said this as he began to play with the strings on her tunic.

Serenica looked at the man’s expression and tried to hold down the bile that was coming up in her mouth. Then, with a knowing look, she put her arms around his shoulders and smiled seductively at him. “My hero,” she responded.

Serenica noticed his face coming closer to hers and she started to gag.

“You look so stressed, let me help you relax,” she whispered softly as she turned him around to face the wall. She carefully began to rub his shoulders ignoring the look of confusion coming from the rogue behind her.

The moans of pleasure coming from the man filled her ears and she smiled slyly. Sliding her right hand down his back, she grabbed her dagger and smashed him on the head with the hilt as hard as she could.

The man’s eyes rolled to the back of his head and he went limp in her hand, unconscious from the force of her hit.

With a shiver of disgust, she dropped the man to the floor and rolled her eyes. “What the hell is it with Estme men? Are they all pervs?” She demanded as she looked at the half-dead rogue hanging from the ceiling.

“Bumpkin?? I ask this in the politest way possible. What the hell are you doing here?” Kaiden choked out.

She looked at him and rolled her eyes. “Saving your ass, Prince Charming, it’s time to go.” She unhooked his cuffs and threw his left arm over her shoulder supporting him as they left the cell.