Demon Lord

Water trickling into her mouth woke Mirra, and she coughed and opened her eyes. Benton regarded her with deep concern, her head pillowed on his arm. He put down the flask and helped her to stand on the swaying deck. The captain, who stood at the helm, jerked his chin at a hatchway.

  “Take her to my cabin. She’ll be comfortable there.”

  Following the captain’s directions, Benton took Mirra to a cosy cabin in the stern and guided her to a bunk under diamond-paned windows. Cupboards and lockers made from polished, fine-grained wood lined the cabin, for no space was wasted on a ship. A cheap grey carpet covered the floor, and the faint aroma of bilges wafted from the corridor. Exhaustion numbed Mirra, and her head seemed to be stuffed with cotton wool. For the first time, she was utterly without power, and its lack left her weak and trembling. The soft bed soothed her aches, and she was hardly aware of Benton leaving.

  Mirra opened her eyes to find Bane standing over her, burnished by lamplight, and smiled.

  He scowled. “Get off my bed.”

  As she slid off the bunk, a roll of the ship made her stagger and grab a table for support.

  Bane sat on the bed, studying her. “Now you have no more power, do you, witch?”

  “No.”

  “Come here.”

  Mirra stepped closer, her head bowed. He gripped her arm, drew his dagger and sliced her skin. She bit her lip as blood welled from the wound, trying to tug her arm free.

  He smiled, released her and sheathed the dagger. “So, now I can really have fun.”

  Mirra gazed at him, tears stinging her eyes.

  He laughed. “You think you can melt my heart with your puppy dog looks? Think again, dolt!”

  Bane’s palm cracked across her cheek, and she staggered back. He came after her, seized the front of her gown and yanked her towards him. He slapped her again, making her yelp and raise her arms to ward off the next blow. This only made him hit her harder, and he smacked her until she fell, her dress ripping in his grip. Bane hauled her to her feet and sent her stumbling with another slap. Her head hit the bulkhead, and everything went black.