Part 4

"If only I had some real magic." Anya lamented, pulling on the chains that held her. "Or an amulet, like a full fledged vengeance demon." The demon sighed and rested her head on her knees. She started wondering where the rest of their army was when she heard the sound of trucks heading their way. "Yes! They are coming!" She stared anxiously towards the sound. She could just make out the shape of the first car as the envoy headed towards them. Now these rabbits will get what's coming to them. She thought happily.

She kept her eyes on the forthcoming saviors, unaware of how unworried her captors were. She didn't realize that none of them had moved or even called out a warning cry. As the first truck rolled up, Anya could see the driver and her heart sank. The rabbit-warrior through the large vehicle into park, bringing the snake-like chain of machinery to a halt. Each vehicle released a rabbit from the cab, and as other rabbits climbed from some of the trucks, others left from the tents to assist in pulling out what was left of the demons. The new slaves were staked out with the others and commanded to be still, and be quiet.

A tear dropped from Anya's eye as she realized there would be no rescue. She turned to look in front of her as she heard an odd sound, then frowned as she realized the white rabbit was laughing at her. "What's so funny."

It narrowed it's eyes then moved towards her. Lightening fast, it struck her across the face, knocking her backwards. "You don't speak." It commanded harshly, then grinned. "But later, you can scream."

"Why are you doing this?" Anya pleaded.

She received another slap for her disobedience, but the rabbit was feeling talkative now. "I've waited for this for so long. Now you'll pay." Anya glanced at him quizzically, not sure what he meant, but was afraid to ask.

He laughed again, "So you can learn. Go ahead, ask."

"Wh-what…did I do? To have to pay for..I didn't do anything."

"You existed. You caught us, and touched us…trying to break us."

"I've never seen you before."  Anya insisted

"Oh but you have, before I was blessed with The Change."

Anya's mind whirled, something had told her the truth but she hadn't grasped it, "Tryk?"

A furred hand grasped her by the throat as the warrior hissed in her face. "You will not call me that ever…again." His hand began to squeeze slowly as the demon chocked, gasping for air, her hands flailing helplessly at his.  A larger rabbit snapped an order and Tryk released his hold, pushing her backwards as he did.

She lay there gasping and shaking. This cant be happening. She repeated to herself. She blinked back tears and watched as Tryk spoke with another warrior then stormed away. The sun began setting as the trucks were moved away from the slave area and each remaining demon sat staring at each other silently.  Six rabbits marched down between the slaves, pausing to pull several to their feet, forcing them to march with them.  Over the next few hours, more slaves were removed and taken away.

When Anya awoke the next morning, curled up on the ground, she noticed that none of the slaves had come back. A lump formed in her throat as she wondered what could have happened to them.

When the screams carried down to them, the remaining slaves began pulling at their shackles, trying desperately to escape. The rabbit-warriors beat them down till they all resumed their cowering seats on the ground, waiting quietly for their doom.

TBC…