Shooting awake, I nearly cried out in pain as I remembered what happened exactly as a voice spoke," How is she? Those magic burns are not...pretty."
Both voices I recognized, Iona and Aramastus Iona replied," She just regained consciousness, it would seem, and well, I can tell she is in a lot of pain," She continued sarcastically," Thank you for stating the obvious that those magic burns aren't pretty."
Aramastus grunted as the tent flap opened up. As both of them looked at me, Iona whispered," Lay back down; I can hear your body struggling."
She was right, laying back down as Iona sat on a chair, she stated," I have some questions for you, Selena."
My eyes widened slightly in fear as I heard water dripping as she held a cold cloth in hand and gently placed it on my arm; steam rose immediately as I bit back a yelp of pain as she asked," Selena, I need to know what makes you so scared of your power. Yes, it is dense and ancient, but it shouldn't be doing that to you. Did the Elf queen do anything to you?"
I whispered," I don't know?"
Aramastus asked a different question," Selena, do you know what happens to younger elves under the age of twenty-five who have been thrown into this long war?"
Holding back my fear, I whispered," Slavery happens on both sides."
Iona continued where Aramastus left off," Not exactly; any elf under the age of twenty-five is given a choice after a trial to become a slave or a pet to any vampire."
I whispered," What about me? I am considered to be a kill-on-sight target no. Won't the royals just...kill me."
I was shivering despite the burns I received; out of the corner of my eyes, both nobles glanced at each other warily as Iona sighed," That is true. But the Valinded family, one of the more hateful royal families, ordered that. The Rosalind family is the oldest and most powerful after the Regime family, so she will probably spare you; she is the one that made the order for twenty-five and younger elves to be given a trial."
Aramastus sighed," We have some questions that could save you from death or Slavery."
Still in a quiet voice," No promises I can answer them; the Queen didn't tell me much, and I was rarely in the capital."
Iona growled," That is so like her to put her strongest fighter on the front lines without downtime. Alright, first question: Why are you so scared of her?"
My eyes widened in fear immediately," U-um, she is the one who trained me."
Aramastus growled," I think that you mean torture."
Iona snarled," That bitch is forcing you to become a weapon! Next question: Have you ever been down to the dungeons?"
I nodded as Aramastus asked," Do you know what she does to traitors and vampires she captures."
I took notice of the slight sound of Iona's hand tightening into a fist, her knuckles turning white. Iona snarled," We already know what she does!"
Terrified, I shrunk back from the pressure Iona released as Aramastus barked," Enough, Iona!"
Iona calmed down again as she sighed," Well, Selena?"
I could hear some impatience and anger underneath as I quickly shook my head as Aramastus sighed," Do you know where the milk comes from," I gained a bad feeling in my stomach as I again shook my head, or rather as much as my burns would allow me," they come from those 'traitors' and captured females if you didn't notice. According to our spy, and this is what I want you to confirm, they are nearly stripped naked, minus for brown cloth over their bodies that are open along the sides, no undergarments, in chains, and locked in dingy cells where the 'loyal' elves are free to play with them how they see fit. They also frame young female elves to lock them down there and use them as cows. Milking them for pleasure."
My eyes were wide in horror as I realized he wasn't lying.
Glancing at Iona's hand again, I noticed her knuckles were starch-white. Iona spoke tightly," They are forced onto machines that rape them; what they look like, we don't know. They are raped for weeks, sometimes even longer, until they reach a quota. I know you are curious why I am so angered because my older sister, Leandra, of the second night, was captured about thirty years ago, and according to the spy, she is treated as such."
My eyes widened as I remembered seeing an older version of Iona locked down there just as Aramastus described as I spoke softly," Um Iona, I think I saw your sister... when I was in the dungeons."
Iona's eyes widened as she asked," So she is still alive."
I nodded and said weakly," Yes, her eyes were glazed over, though, as I passed by, and she was in the same situation Aramastus stated."
Iona sighed in relief," Thank you, Selena, for telling me."
I winced as Iona placed another cold rag on my arm, this time as Aramastus asked," To provide some support, any questions?"
Thinking momentarily, I asked," W-when is the trial?"
Iona shrugged," We should receive a reply soon; we sent a hawk out shortly after you fell unconscious. Next question."
Shaking my head, I shut my eyes," No."
Not long after I shut my eyes, I opened them to appear in my mind.
The Queen's voice growled immediately, causing me to flinch," Why haven't you reported yet?"
My eyes widened in fear as I whispered," Apologies, Your Majesty. Shall I give my report now?"
Her voice in a growl," Yes."
I responded, "Mission was accomplished, the general was killed, and um, Iona of the Second Night and Aramastus of the First was there."
The Queen's voice growled," You stood no chance; I can't punish you for that. Are you going to be able to escape?"
I answered weakly," No, Iona got a hold of my magic concealers and forced my magic out, causing it to burn me."
The Queen spat," Very well, I will punish you when you return."
My eyes widened in fear as I whimpered," B-but I didn't do anything wrong, Your Majesty; I did the mission as ordered, accomplished it, and gave you the report as requested."
I heard nothing else as a hand touched my cheek," Selena, wake up!"
Shooting up, I gasped and immediately whimpered," P-please no."
Iona's voice whispered," What happened?"
I shook my head rapidly," No, no, no."
Despite my pain, I was trembling in fear.