Kanika

The stars glittered high above the crystal dome, flickering amongst the blanket of darkness. The torchlight hanging from the walls cast long, flickering shadows on the marble floor as I passed. My heels made a satisfying sound with each footfall, announcing my presence to the man gagged and bound to a chair. He wore the Anax's livery, an antler crossed with a sword.

I stopped directly beneath the crystal dome in the upper room of my home, a place perfect for partying and dancing. And tonight, it would be perfect for an interrogation. I signaled to Kane who pulled the hood off the man's head. The prisoner blinked, taking in his surroundings. When his eyes landed on me, his expression reflected horror.

I smirked. "Welcome to my home. Please, make yourself comfortable."

The man struggled against his bonds, grunting. I watched him with amusement, waiting for him to calm down. Seeing him subdued gave me no small amount of pleasure.

It only took a few moments before the man realized he wouldn't be able to get out of the knots Rashid tied. Despite the servant's many flaws, he certainly could tie knots. The man stilled and met my gaze, determination creeping into his expression.

"That's better," I murmured. "Are you ready to have a civil conversation?"

When the man didn't respond, Kane raised his fingers, blue sparks flickering at the tips. I held up my hand, halting his summoning. The sparks vanished as his hand lowered. "You have failed your mission, soldier. Nevertheless, I may let you live if you please me. You know who I am. You know what I can do. Do not test me."

"I have nothing to say to you," he spoke at last, his voice hoarse. He glanced at Kane, eyeing his fingers.

"I find enjoyment from the stubbornness of the Anax's soldiers," I told Kane. "They all have such hope. Such determination." I approached the prisoner, stopping an arm's length away. "I shall enjoy breaking you."

{~*~}

The prisoner's screams echoed down the hallway, following me as I left him behind in Kane's care. As much as I didn't mind doing my own dirty work, he had insisted. I had caught the spy trying to enter my home through a lower level window, somehow having found it in the first place. Nevertheless, I had enough magic binding the house to me that it had given him up.

Kane and I had been in the middle of discussing Brevil's plans, and how to deal with them. And of course, ever the gentleman, he had insisted on helping. Now that we knew why the Anax's spy was here, I had things to tend to. Too bad for the spy that he didn't know more. At least Kane would leave my servants alone this time.

Rashid met me as I entered my study, and I waited to speak until he had closed the doors. I flicked my fingers, the curtains swinging shut against the windows to further provide privacy. "My sister is planning to make a move against me," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. It had been a long time since I had ever felt anything for her. The word sister meant nothing to me.

"What would you have me do?" Rashid asked, wide-eyed.

"We must prepare to welcome her with open arms." I grinned, unable to hide my excitement.

I left Rashid behind in my study to finish up preparations and headed to my room. Kane would likely be finishing up with the spy soon, and I wanted to see him one last time. To make sure everything would be set. If Endana really did intend to make a move against me, then she had to be desperate. I supposed Brevil would do that to the Anax and his followers.

The window sat across from my bed, the barest hint of dawn settling in above the treetops. I didn't know when Endana would make her move, or with whom. But that didn't matter. It would not succeed. And her desperation would only grow when I captured the next people she sent.

As I changed into a navy blue gown, I allowed myself to imagine the scenario. What if she came instead? She would finally see how powerful I had become. We had not seen one another since I broke away from the virtuosos and chose my own path. But it mattered not. I would deal with the problem no matter who arrived.

I finished my ensemble with a flick of my fingers, the pins pulling from my raven hair and allowing the locks to tumble free. I turned to the vanity mirror, taking in my appearance. The blue gown softened my appearance, smooth over my curves. The sleeves were long, hanging off my pale shoulders and draping past my fingertips. A gold belt hung loosely from my hips, contrasting the velvet.

Perfection. The picture of innocence.

Satisfied, I headed back downstairs. Kane met at the bottom of the stairs, wiping his hands on a black handkerchief. He glanced up at me, then did a double take. His azure eyes took in my appearance. I held my pose, allowing it.

It took him several moments to regain composure, and when he did, he bowed. His eyes glimmered with enjoyment as he rose and smiled. "What have I done to deserve the pleasure of your appearance?"

I couldn't help the coy smile that made its way onto my lips. "How is our guest faring?"

Kane turned and glanced down the hall. "Alive, like you asked. I cannot say the same for his sanity, however." He approached, climbing the stairs until he reached me. "Are you really going to finish him off in that? Not that I don't enjoy the sight, but it seems impractical."

"Who said anything about finishing him off?" I stepped around him and made my way down the hall, fully aware of Kane's gaze following me.

More light seeped into the domed room as the night gave way to day. The prisoner was slumped against his chair, his head bowed forward. He sat motionless, and I supposed the bindings were all that kept him from falling to the floor. Blood pooled on the marble floor, dripping from unseen wounds beneath his clothing.

I tsked, making a note to scold Kane for the mess. If I wanted a bloody interrogation, I would have brought the prisoner to the dungeons beneath my home. This was about more than that. I wanted him to have a story to tell when the next one arrived. When it was just them, a cold cell, and rats for company.

Rashid entered a moment later, and began dragging the limp man across the floor by the chair. I followed them out of the room, telling Rashid to pause a moment so I could lift the man's shirt and send a flicker of magic to temporarily seal his wounds. I didn't want blood on the carpet, after all.

Rashid dragged him down the last flight of stairs, turning right at the bottom. I skirted around him as he stopped before an iron door. I produced a key from the air and unlocked door. I directed Rashid to the first cell along the corridor. He untied the man from the chair and strung him up by manacles hanging from the ceiling. Then he left, taking the chair with him.

A flick of my wrist, and the magic left his wounds open to the cold air and dampness of the dungeon. A low moan left his lips as he shifted and slowly woke. In the moments it took him to regain consciousness, I smoothed down any possible creases in my dress. Then I waited.

The spy lifted his head, blinking blearily against the dimness of the cell. He took in his surroundings, then looked at me. Despite the haze of pain, his eyes filled with contempt. His lips curved, preparing to form words.

"Quiet," I commanded, shifting my hand just enough to use magic to force his jaw shut. He struggled weakly against the chains, the muscles in his face straining to break free of my hold. "You have spoken of your knowledge as to your mission, and that has pleased me. But," I hesitated, letting him consider my words, "I cannot let you go." I doubted the man had ever considered he would make it out alive. Nevertheless, he slumped a bit more in his chains.

Having gotten the response I desired, I continued, "Nevertheless, as your reward, I shall spare your life. You will remain here in my dungeon for the time being until I decide what to do with you." I released my magic's hold on him, and waited for a response.

He worked his jaw. "You mean instead of an execution I will starve to death," he growled.

"Not at all. My servants will tend to you. So long as you cooperate, you shall not be harmed further. On the contrary, perhaps one day you will call this place your true home."

He lunged forward, straining against his chains. "Never," he snarled.

My composure remained solid, a rock amidst the turmoil of an ocean. I would not be moved by some petty soldier in the Anax's army. In fact, his rebellion amused me. It was similar to that of my servants before I showed them who I truly was.

I strode forward, nearing the man until I could reach out and touch him. "I will show you when you are ready." Despite his struggling, I lifted a hand and let it rest on the side of his face. For a moment, he stilled, taken by surprise at the tenderness of my touch.

Then he came to his senses and jerked away, his expression one of horror. "Don't touch me, witch."

I stepped back, turning to leave. "You will beg for me soon. Then I will show you."

A/N: Hello all! I apologize again for the long wait between updates. But I hope you enjoyed it! Now that's you've gotten to see more of Kanika's dark side, what do you think of her?