Chapter 12:

Kel's eyes jolted open, darting back and forth in the emptiness. A sharp, numbing pain shot through her entire body as he eyes adjusted to the dark around her. She smelled the dirt from the ground, the bark from the cabin walls, and the leaves from the roof. Kel lifted her knee in an attempt to stand but even the small movement sent her heart racing in her chest. Outside she heard voices. She slowed her breathing to try and hear them, but that only caused her to choke and sputter.

"I see that you are awake, Keladry." Kel looked to the side, staring into the corner of the room.

"Who are you?" She whispered, her eyes flickering back into her head. "What are you doing to me?"

"Shhh, that's not important now."

"Damn it isn't!" She tried to yell. Heat shot itself through her spine, she arched, lifting her back off the ground. A black figure stepped out from the corner, a shadow on shadow.

"I told you that it wasn't important." The figure crossed his arms, his black cloak hanging perfectly straight. Kel flipped over as her hands snapped behind her back.

"Importance is relative. Who are you!" Fire swarmed down her throat. She convulsed gagging into the dirt.

"I am the Shadow Mage. The very magic I posses is evil. Of course, when used in the right hands dark magic does not have to coincide with evil magic. Unfortunately for you, my shadow magic is in the wrong hands. It is simple really. A type of battle magic that can control a person's body. Every vain, muscle, bone, tissue, under my control. I can…"

Seep into your mind and create illusion. Am I really here lady knight? Or, perhaps, I am just a figment of your imagination, a dream of some sort.

A trickle of sweat dripped down her forehead. Behind her back her hands tightened and tightened.

You can feel it cant you? Muscles tightening, bone cracking, tissue being sliced.

She let out a yell as her arm yanked behind her snapping her shoulder out of her socket. Tears melted down her cheeks creating a pool of mud beneath her eyes. She tried to speak but her chest was heaving to fast.

No need to waste your breath on me Keladry. I can also read your thoughts. I told you, I am a battle mage, dark sorcerer, shadow mage…torture mage.

Despite the pain, Kel screamed, "Then why don't you ask me a question!" Her hands unclasped from behind her back, slamming down at her sides. Pain shot up her pulled shoulder as it touched the ground. Something tugged at her, as if a string was pulling her upright. Her spine tucked together, bringing her to a sitting position. The invisible fibers laid her gently against the wall. A burning sensation scraped across her face. Did he just slap her?

I don't need you to answer any questions. You are simply a prop. I'm going to kill you lady knight. Not right now, not until much earlier in the morning. But, I am going to kill you. You may call it a test run of my magic, if you wish. And look at it this way; you will be an example, maybe even a hero. Your death will be a mystery, and you will be known throughout the lands. Isn't that something?

Sharp zaps of pain pricked across her body. They became larger and quicker until she slid down the wall convulsing on the floor. He arms and legs felt like they were being ripped to shreds, blood tickling her skin. Kel's chest tightened as she gasped for air. Something pierced her side as blood rushed out, but there was no weapon there. Kel placed a hand on her side, applying as much pressure as she could. Slowly she sank back to the ground, feeling her eyes roll behind her head.

The shadow mage turned to the outline of the door. Beneath the hood, a small toothy smile crept upwards.

I shall be back in a few hours. You may want to put pressure on that wound or you may bleed to death. If I were you I'd try and get some rest. Hopefully you aren't dead by the time I come back for you.

"Goodnight, Lady Keladry."