章 46: What Are You Willing To Lose?
The air in the room was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the fading aroma of magic.
Karyan's grip on the woman's pink hair loosened as he glared down at her, her once mesmerizing beauty now was painted by with crimson liquid.
"Fine, but if you cross me, it'll be the last thing you do," Karyan said, his voice low.
He released her fully, standing tall as he looked one more time at the scene she made by herself.
The girl scrambled to her feet, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Thank you," she murmured urgently. "We must go, now. They'll be here any minute."
Karyan's eyes narrowed. "Lead the way, then. But remember, one false move..."
"I know," she interrupted, her voice firm despite her evident fear. "I lead, you follow."
They moved swiftly, dodging between tables and the fallen, making for the secret passage hidden behind the bar.
Sin trotted alongside them, its eyes looked around, sensing the impending danger.
As they reached the passage, the sound of the door being smashed open reverberated through the room.
They didn't look back; the urgency was visible.
Once they were in the narrow corridor, Karyan's hand found the hilt of his blade, Sera, ready for any threat that might arise.
"Who's after you?" Karyan asked, his voice echoed slightly in the confined space.
"The sorcerer... he's powerful, and I've seen what he does to those who fail him," she said, her voice was trembling.
"And the dance, the killings, was that your doing or his command?" he pressed, his curiosity piqued despite the situation.
"It was not my choice," she said, tears filled in her eyes again. "He has control over me, makes me do things...horrible things."
Karyan steeled himself against the sympathy. "Keep moving," he said curtly.
They emerged into the night, the cool air felt like a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere they left behind.
The girl led Karyan through the twisting alleys of the city, their pace unrelenting.
"Why should I believe any of this?" Karyan asked.
"You saw the dance, the butterflies," she replied, her voice strained. "That's me…but It's also the magic he forces upon me. I'm just...a puppet."
The sorrow in her voice was unmistakable, but Karyan's trust was not easily won. "And why would you help me now? What's in it for you?"
"I can't kill you with hypnosis, you're special and maybe you could kill him or maybe he'll let me go. Maybe I can be free," she confessed, a hopeful note felt in her tone that Karyan found naïve.
They finally halted in a secluded courtyard.
"Tomorrow, at dawn, meet me at the old fountain in the market square," she said, her eyes now dry. "I'll tell you everything."
Karyan studied her for a moment, his golden eyes trying to understand her, "don't be late."
Dawn broke with a golden hue spilling over the horizon, the warmth of the sun touched the cool, dew-laden grass.
Karyan's eyes fluttered open to find himself on the hill outside of town.
Sin lay curled up beside him, its tail flicking contentedly.
"Ah, you're awake," Sin purred, stretching leisurely. "You can thank me later for getting us out safely."
Karyan rolled his eyes and sat up, brushing the grass from his clothes. "I remember it differently. I'm the one who saved us."
"You? Please," Sin scoffed, sitting up to clean a paw. "If it wasn't for my keen senses and agility, we'd be six feet under by now. A 'thank you, Sin, you're the best,' would suffice."
Karyan couldn't help but crack a slight smile at the cat's arrogance. "Alright, alright, thank you. Now let's head to the market square. We have a dancer to meet."
The market square was bustling with early morning activity as merchants set up their stalls and the scent of fresh bread filled the air.
Karyan spotted the dancer by the old fountain, Sin trailed behind, his red eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of danger.
Karyan approached her, and she turned, the morning sun casting a glow on her delicate features.
She looked fragile, almost ethereal, in the light of day.
"You came," she whispered with a weak and quiet surprised voice. She no longer looked like the killer grace she possessed the night before.
"I said I would," Karyan replied, his tone guarded. "Now start talking. Explain everything."
The dancer's eyes darted around before settling back on Karyan. "I'm under his control. He's a sorcerer with dark powers, and I'm his puppet, forced to dance and kill at his whim."
"I already know that…And why should I believe you're not just luring me into another trap?" Karyan asked, his hand inching toward Sera.
"Because I hate him as much as you hate being deceived," she replied, her eyes faced him. "I want out, but I need help. Your help."
Karyan studied her for a moment, the tension between them grew. "You expect me to risk my neck for you, a stranger, and a killer?"
"I am not a killer by choice! You saw the magic, the butterflies," she protested, her voice rising. "That's not who I am!"
Sin watched the exchange, his ears flicking back and forth. "You two could cut the tension with a knife. Or a dagger, if you prefer."
Karyan ignored the cat, his focus was on the dancer. "Are you the mind wielder? Is it your power that conjured those butterflies?"
Her eyes widened, and she took a step back. "Yes, I am. But I'm just as much a victim here, caught in his snares. I have some abilities, yes, but nothing compared to his."
Karyan let out a deep breath, his suspicions slowly faded away. "Fine. We'll do this your way, for now. But remember, if you betray me—"
"I won't! I promise!"
"So what do we have to do?"
"We?" Sin interrupted.
"Yes, we."
"Why should I be involved?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, did you have any other plans then?"
"It's all because of me…"
Karyan turned his attention back to her, "my help is not free. In return, you will follow me and my command."
"Bu-but!"
He shook his head and leaned closer to her, "so what are you willing to lose to break free from him?"
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