He spluttered.
"What did you say?"
I blinked at him. Why is he suddenly so flustered?
"Forsythia Dark'myrr" I said a bit louder.
For what felt like 5 minutes.
Neither of us said anything. I kept staring at the floor while he had shut his eyes, and was mouthing something.
After another few minutes, I heard a screech.
I looked up to see a falcon swoop down to us.
It was beautiful! Mottled grey and white feathers on its underbelly, powerful wings.. Wait a minute. Why is there a falcon?
I saw a movement in the corner of my eye, I turned to see the guy raise his hand to the falcon.
The bird gave another shrill squawk before coming to land on his arm. He attached something to it's leg before sending it off again.
"What was that about?" I asked.
"None of your business."
"If it concerns my true name, I'm pretty sure that makes it my business.."
"Tough shit. You still have two of my questions to answer."
"No."
He looked up at me. As quick as a bullet, he was behind me with a knife to my throat.
I wasn't scared. I let out a small chuckle.
"Kill me and you don't get your answers."
He removed the knife and stepped around me, towards my knives and locket.
He scanned them all. Brushing his fingers over them.
He looked at me as he did, to see which I would react with.
I shut my eyes and forced myself to keep my breathing steady.
"Open your eyes. Now"
I felt something force them open.
I tried to fight it. Nothing worked.
He forced me to relax, so he could see any change.
He went back over the set.
When he brushed over the locket, I shivered.
I couldn't help it.
He paused and picked it up.
"Tell me. Or I smash it."
My breathing sped up. I felt my stomach knot up and tears forming in my eyes.
"No one." I breathed
He looked at me questioningly.
"Explain."
"They think I'm at the clearing with the oak. Half a mile back."
He smiled mockingly.
"So I can keep you as long as I wish, and no one will know?"
A tear fell down my cheek.
"Yes." I whispered
His sadistic joy was extended as he realised there was more information he could squeeze from me.
Find me. Someone. Please.
"Who's they." He demanded
"Dylan, Ash, and Mistalya."
"They are the only ones that know you're in Romania"
"Probably.."
His eyes narrowed again, and he brought the knife up to touch the locket.
I panicked. I had to cooperate.
"No! Stop! Please.. Look. I'll tell you anything and everything. Just don't leave the locket. Please?" I said. Tears falling freely.
That must have been his goal, cooperation.
He grinned again.
He put the locket in his pocket and moved to untie me.
"Try anything, and your precious locket is mine."
I nodded submissively.
"Tell me more about your companions"
"They're not technically my companions. Dylan's supposedly my best friend. But he and Ash forced me here. Ash knocked me out with his weird Fae powers after I almost killed Dylan, we picked up Mistalya, Ash's cousin on the way here.
They're barely let me out of my room. I'm locked in most of the time. I only see them at meals, or when Ash and Mistalya watch me train."
"Fae. Ash is Fae. What about the others? What about you."
I paused. But he let me.
"Ash is Fae, yes. Dylan is Lykos and Mistalya is an Elf. I don't know about me."
"Lie"
Bastard.
"I'm not lying. I don't know what the hell I am anymore."
He looked at me pointedly.
"I set a book on fire" I murmured
"Locked in?"
"Someone locks me in my room when I'm up there. That's why I come here everyday."
Pity flashed across his face.
"Where?"
"The castle. Over a mile north"
"Your room?"
"Highest turret."
He stood up.
I looked up at him.
"I'll be back."
Great. Another prick to look out for.
He stepped back, the flames behind him started growing, engulfing him in shadows.
"My locket?!" I yelled
"I'll bring it back. I swear"
I leapt up and lunged at him.
I felt no impact. He had dissolved. Into shadows.
I grabbed my knives and walked back up to the castle. I have to get my locket back.