Demon Lord

When Mirra woke, daylight streamed through the windows at the back of the empty cabin. She climbed onto the rumpled bed and gazed out at a grey, heaving sea. Her head ached and her swollen face throbbed. The cut on her arm had almost healed, but she knew bruises bloomed in her cheeks, and fingered the scab on her scalp. She had thought Bane would kill her, but he had only slapped her. The blows had almost been gentle compared to the ferocity with which he had beaten her before. It seemed he did not wish to kill her yet. Now she could not even help herself. Bane’s suffering saddened her more now that she had only her skills with herbs to fall back on, a puny resource compared to her power. Perhaps she could not have healed him while he carried the dark magic, but she could have eased his suffering.

  The door opened and Benton entered, his demeanour furtive. He closed the door and came over to cup her bruised cheek in his rough hand.

  “Why did he do this?”

  She sighed. “He has so much anger...”

  “He’s a damned monster!”

  “No. He needs help, but now I can do little for him.”

  Benton groaned, looking exasperated. “You’re such a gentle, forgiving girl. You can’t see that he’s bad to the core.”

  She put her hand on his. “No one is bad to the core.”

  “I wish I could help you.”

  “Do not try. You will only suffer. Where is he?”

  “Up in the bow, with that... thing of his.” He took a paper packet from his pocket and held it out. “Here, I brought you something to eat. I doubt he’s bothered to feed you.”

  Mirra took it and tore it open, finding sweetbread and an apple inside.

  “I must go,” he said. “If he finds me here, he’ll kill me.”

  Mirra nodded, her mouth full, and he left with a smile of gentle reassurance. After she finished the food, she went back to her perusal of the cold sea.

  When Bane returned at dusk, he ignored her timid smile as she climbed off the bed. He grasped her chin and turned her face this way and that to study it in the lamplight, his fingers digging into her with unfeeling brutality.

  “Most impressive. As soon as they heal, I will give you some more.”

  Mirra stepped back when he released her, blinking away fresh tears. He chuckled nastily and stretched out on the bed. She curled up on the floor, and the ship’s motion rocked her to sleep.