THORNE
The ground beneath my feet felt like it had given way, and I could do nothing but float in the horror of the moment, unable to escape the inevitability of our doom.
The moment my eyes zeroed in on the woman in his arms, I saw and felt nothing else.
Yet, he droned on while I studied her pale skin, chapped lips, and discolored silver hair.
"We meet again, slave." His voice sounded far away. "I missed you."
My brow knitted when I caught the slight strain in his voice.
"You must feel like shit now," he continued. "Walking around, trying to find your kin while I shifted the hallways, shuffled the stairs like cards, and trapped you in dead ends while my incense seeped into your skin and lungs."
My heart rate sharpened like it was nearing a crescendo with his revelation.
"By now the poison must be corroding that beautiful soul of yours. It is such a shame, really." The taunt was unmistakable.
