The back of his black cape hung in front of me as I was thrown to the ground in front of Lord Balem.
He faced me slowly. "Be gentle with her. Do not harm her."
Balem's hazel eyes settled on me before he sighed. "Why were you trying to escape from me, Infinity? Have I not treated you well?"
I didn't answer. I just stared at the floor.
Balem sighed again. He stood and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into his gaze. "You will answer me."
I still wouldn't look him straight in the eye.
Balem changed tactics. "You destroyed a few valuable canisters of my product, my dear."
He released my chin. "You disappoint me. I hold your future in my hands. Your very existence depends on me. This willful nature of yours will not last. Not if you want to survive my company, Infinity."
I rubbed my double cleft chin from where Balem's grasp had been. "What was in those canisters?"
There was a long pause before Balem whispered a response.
"It is called Regenex. It sustains our appearance for several years until we use it again. It is exclusively reserved for the Abrasax family. We will live forever with this gift. It is much like your own ability."
I scoffed.
"I should be very upset with you..." Balem continued. "But for some reason, I am only frustrated."
I rolled my eyes.
This earned me a dramatic sigh from Balem's lungs. "Do not disrespect me. I have been generous to you, Infinity. You are ungrateful in return for my allowing you to live. You have done everything to insult me and turn me into the laughingstock of the universe."
"I'm sorry..." I began to apologize.
"SILENCE!" He screamed.
That shut me up quickly.
Balem's eyes glared at me like red hot fire pokers. "Do you have any idea how many souls are lost from different worlds for the sake of Regenex?"
I shook my head. I had no idea.
"100 souls to each canister you obliterated have died in vain to your folly."