Bab 313: Missing in Action II

"Unhand me this once, you fiend," Nereus choked out. 

Despite his best efforts to seem calm and unaffected, it was difficult for him to remain completely unfazed when he was face-to-face with his old tormentor, the person responsible for making his life a living hell as a child. He couldn't believe that he was once again overpowered by such a scoundrel and his equally devious half-sister.

Nereus gnashed his teeth, closing his eyes as he cursed himself for letting his guard down. He had spent nearly a decade constantly jumping at shadows to keep himself safe, and the moment he had stopped doing so, he got captured. 

The glowing red collar around his neck made even speaking difficult. He wanted nothing more than to turn into water and escape back into the lake, but he was imprisoned, all four of his limbs nailed down to a stone tablet. The entire room was sweltering hot, as though someone had lined the floors and walls with coals and lit them aflame.