Her whip lashed out with viper speed, striking the back of my shoulder even as I knelt. Pain flared bright and hot across my flesh.
"Guh—!" I bit down on a cry. The sudden agony sent spots dancing across my vision.
Before I could fully recover, Elfriede withdrew her legs and stood. "That's enough. Go to sleep," she said flatly, as though she hadn't just opened another cut on my skin. "We leave at first light. And don't even think about oversleeping, or you'll feel my lash again."
With that, she stepped over me and strode out of the tent, likely to relieve herself before bedding down.
I slumped back on my heels, clutching my throbbing shoulder. The bite of the whip had been fierce, but at least the massage session was finally over.