Chapter 108. Enter the Erin
On the fourth floor of the Pillar of Treachery, Vivien and Lysa sat in their cramped cell. Loud noises of cult soldiers running through the hallway made them look up. One soldier’s voice was sharp. "Hurry! The intruder’s getting to the second floor!"
Lysa’s eyes lit up with curiosity. She stood, her thin body shaking a little, and moved to the cell bars, peeking out. Vivien stayed against the wall, her messy auburn hair falling over her face, her red eyes watching Lysa quietly. The slave collar hurt her neck, but the noise outside sparked a bit of hope in her heart.
From the hallway, a far-off shout came, hard to hear. "Warden’s dealing with the intruder! Keep the experiments going, we need more refills now!" Another voice answered, "Yes, sir! Who’s next?"
"Cell 6!" the reply barked. "Move it!"
Footsteps got louder, and Lysa stepped back, eyes wide with fear. The other prisoners in the cell pressed against the walls, faces pale, trembling. Vivien’s eyes flicked to the bars, her small hands tightening.
Two cult soldiers appeared, their robes swishing, their blank masks shining in the torchlight. The prisoners flinched, pulling back. Lysa stumbled and fell, her scared eyes stuck on the soldiers. One tilted his head, looking over the cell. "Who’s the best one?"
The other’s voice was cold. "Take the noble girl. Her mana’s stronger."
Lysa froze as the soldier nodes and unlocked the cell, the bars creaking loudly. He marched toward her, boots thumping.
She crawled back, whimpering, "No, please!" But the soldier grabbed above her slave collar, pulling her up. Lysa fought, her small fists hitting his arm, but her kid’s punches were weak against him.