Chapter 10 [Cave—Just Before Chapter 8's Events]
Katrina spasmed with dry sobs and choked coughs. Her arms felt stiff and sore from supporting her weight. Her heart felt heavy. Her hair stuck to the back of her neck from her own sweat and the surrounding air's humidity.
The weight of her decisions pressed down on her shoulders like stone.
I just wanted to be happy! I wanted the best for the men in my life! Why is that so wrong? WHY? She frowned morosely.
Willfulness is the way to me, Witch. Human desires open the way for me, Sow. Moloch appeared before her. It strode victoriously toward her. As Crane delivered himself and fellow witness to me so your own blind abandonment turned your husband from his duty, your son and spurned lover to me. You made this possible! It gripped her throat and squeezed.
She gasped in agony through the strangling. Her throat desperately struggled against its talons and vice grip. Her lungs burned. Her limbs felt numb.
It released her throat and stepped back to watch as if it had just done something….
A series of pinpricks jabbed her scalp intermittently. In her wooziness, she could've sworn she felt Ichabod's presence. "Ichabod?"
Katrina? His voice questioned.
She glanced around the cave in confusion and anger. "What is this? How can I hear him?"
I have linked you both. Now you feel as each other's pain, Moloch revealed.
She grimaced at that thought. "You monster! He did nothing other than his duty!"
Is that true? Shall we ask my horseman that question? The demon slapped her hard across the face. You betrayed him. Foolish woman. Feel his predicament. Your own offspring has buried him alive. If he does not serve me, I will cut off his air. He will die. *That* is his situation! There is no other way. Serve me or else!
She bit her lip hard. She could never allow her love to endure such pain. Yet she had a duty to defy her captors. She focused and warned into the link, Ichabod? Is that you? Where are you? Abraham has me trapped. Don't endanger yourself further! I couldn't bear it! Please don't….
SILENCE! It shot a blast of cold fire through her body eliciting a pained scream. "AHHHH!"
Katrina? KATRINA! Ichabod called desperately through the link wanting an answer. His heart beat furiously.
She grimaced but could not collect her thoughts enough to respond. She shivered and burned from its previous assault. Her fingers spasmed. Spit ran down the sides of her face. Her eyes rolled involuntarily. She slumped forward with only the vines holding her in place.
The Horseman rushed forward not wanting to be denied his revenge.
BACK, SERVANT! I will not let her die YET! The demon glared at its minion. She still has use to our cause. I will allow you your pleasure with her when I choose to!
The Horseman retreated to his darkened corner. While he enjoyed the scene, he wanted to be administering the torture. Despite the passage of two centuries, his heart still ached. His ego felt bruised by her humiliation. He wanted both traitors to answer for what they'd done.
Moloch sensed his thoughts. Have faith in me. They are answering for their betrayals. It benefits my ends to make sure they do so. Patience! Soon the woman will be yours. With that it vanished from the scene.
The Horseman burned with indignation. While he'd been loyal to his master on most things, this matter was his not Moloch's to deal with. He'd paid too much…yet he still felt love in addition to the hate in his heart for the imprisoned witch. He considered her features and desired her all the more despite her bruises.
…She would be his or he'd die trying….
He stalked back into the shadows to watch and wait for his master's return. While things were going, he knew he had all of the time in the world….
…all of the time indeed….