The stone floor beneath Levi was slick with her own blood. Chains bound her wrists, her wings hung in tatters, and every breath was a struggle. Yet her head was still high, golden eyes burning through the haze of agony.
General Shax circled her like a predator savoring wounded prey. His talons scraped against the wall, each sound sharp as a blade.
"You don't kneel," he said slowly, almost admiring. "You don't beg. Even when your kingdom fell, you carried yourself as queen. It is… infuriating."
Levi spat black blood at his feet, her voice rough but steady.
"I am a queen, dragon. Nothing you do will strip that from me."
Shax chuckled darkly. "Oh, but I've not yet done everything."
He turned, eyes flicking to the shadows where Jane was held by two guards, bound and forced to her knees. Her glasses hung cracked, her white-streaked hair falling in her face as she struggled against the restraints.
Levi's chest tightened. "No."
"Yes," Shax replied smoothly. "You will not break? Then I will break the witch instead. Piece by fragile piece. And you will watch, Leviathan."
Jane's heart pounded in terror, but she forced her voice steady. "Don't… don't listen to him, Levi. He only wants—"
The back of Shax's clawed hand whipped across her face. Jane crashed against the stone floor, blood dripping from her lip. She gasped but didn't scream, pushing herself up on trembling arms.
Levi roared, thrashing against her chains. Her eyes burned red, hair streaking crimson. "Leave her!"
Shax's wings flared wide, casting the chamber in shadow. "Look at her. So frail. And yet she resists. You think your defiance is strength? It is weakness, Levi. Because everything you cling to can be taken."
He grabbed Jane by the hair, dragging her upright. She clenched her teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a cry. But when his talon traced down her cheek again, pressing until blood welled, she shuddered.
Levi strained against her restraints, chains cutting deep into her flesh. "Stop! Do not touch her!"
Shax smirked. "Ah… there it is. Fear. Not for yourself—but for her. How very… human of you."
He leaned close to Jane's ear, his voice dripping with venom. "Do you know what happens to those who stand beside fallen queens, little witch? They are ground to dust. Forgotten. Broken, until they curse the name they once loved."
Jane's eyes widened, his words cutting deeper than claws. For a heartbeat, doubt flickered—was she truly dooming herself by staying at Levi's side?
Levi saw the hesitation, and it crushed her. "Jane!" she cried desperately. "Do not listen to him! He twists truth into poison. You are stronger than his lies!"
Shax only laughed, savoring Levi's torment. He shoved Jane back to the ground, leaving her bruised and shaken. Then he turned to Levi, eyes blazing with cruel triumph.
"So tell me, Queen of Demons—how much more will you endure before you break?"
---
Thank you for reading ( ╹▽╹ )