Chapter Sixteen

Malone was trapped again. Her heart gave a stutter when she saw James. How could he have betrayed her?

The woman smiled, her long black curls framing her face. She had a chilling effect on Malone, making her shiver. "Who are you?" Mal asked.

The woman was silent for a moment, "My name is Stygia." She made a gesture with her hand, and James lunged forward. He knocked Malone to the ground, punching her squarely on the face. She cried out in pain, and he wavered.

His arm was pulled back and ready to deliver another punch, but he seemed confused. His eyes were wide and glossy. It seemed to Malone he was about to cry.

James had hesitated too long. Stygia growled in impatience, her eyes turning gold. James toppled off of Malone as if he had been shot. He slammed roughly into the corner of the room.

Malone trembled before the woman standing before her. Whatever she was, she definitely wasn't human.

Stygia turned her flashing gold eyes to Malone. A fork of pain shot through Malone's head, making her scream. This was ten times worse than anything she had ever felt. Her brain felt as if it was being opened and dissected while she was awake. She felt laid bare before her enemy, like she had no secrets left.

Malone felt a presence in her mind. A whisper echoed in her head, "Funny, how weak the mind is. So vulnerable and unprotected."

She looked around, but no one was speaking. Stygia's eyes were so unnaturally bright gold, staring straight at Malone.

"I can make you feel things. Hear things. Did you like that trick with the marching soldiers? You humans, believing everything you see and hear. It quite pathetic, actually," it paused, "I'm especially good at making people see things," the Voice continued.

Malone's vision changed. Before her now was an operating table. Someone was lying on it, their eyes staring glassily up at the ceiling.

It was James.

His mouth was open in a silent scream. He looked so pale, so dead. It made Malone feel sick. Her focus shifted, her eyes wandered down to his chest. Her heart doubled in pace. For there, buried in his chest, was her own worn boot knife. "Look what you've done," the Voice whispered, "How cold your heart must be, to kill your lover so ruthlessly."

Malone gasped, her legs weakening beneath her. It's not real, she chanted in her mind.

The scene in front of her shattered. Stygia's eyes turned back to a dark green. "Did you like my show?" she asked sweetly.

Malone only stared at her with wide eyes. Her mind felt dirty after being intruded on. James stood quietly in the corner of the room. His eyes never left Malone's face.

Stygia's eyes turned gold again, and Malone's eyes rolled back into her head. Pain exploded like fireworks in her brain, but she didn't, she wouldn't, scream. She bit down and tasted blood.

After a minute, Stygia stopped and smiled. "A tough one, then? What will make you break?"

She turned to James, lifting her hand towards him. He howled, falling to his knees. Malone watched silently, her throat tightening. Her eyes burned from suppressed tears.

James fell to the floor, curling up tightly. His screams got louder and louder. Sweat began to break out on Stygia's forehead.

"Stop it!" Malone yelled suddenly. Stygia dropped her hand to her side. James's screams stopped, but he didn't move. He only whimpered and curled up more tightly.

Stygia smiled, showing her unusually sharp teeth. "So, this is how we break you."

Malone moved suddenly towards Stygia. She drew out a knife, lunging to her enemy. Stygia flicked her finger, and Malone froze.

She tsk'd, walking forward and taking Malone's knife from her hand. Mal tried desperately to move, but nothing happened. Stygia snapped her fingers and four guards walked in from outside.

Two guards came behind Malone, taking her arms. The other two went over to James, kicking him viciously in the side before dragging him out of the room. Stygia's shrieking laugh sounded as Malone was pulled from the room. Her laugh was high and cold, and it favored strongly of madness.

Malone was dragged roughly to a dirty cell. The two guards pushed her through the doorway, making her stumble. Her palms smacked the concrete as she fell onto the gritty floor. She looked around at the small cell. As much as she didn't regret her choice, she had to admit: Steve was right. It was a suicide mission.

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Malone wasn't sure how long they kept her in her cell. She eventually fell into a restless sleep. Her mind kept replaying the vision Stygia had shown her. She jerked awake several times, seeing James's empty eyes staring at her.

She fell into a stupor, not entirely awake or asleep. Malone hovered in a middle ground, not asleep enough to dream, but asleep enough to rest.

The doorway opened, and a metal bowl was pushed in. She got up warily, looking down at the brown mush in the bowl. Her stomach rumbled, even though that looked like the last thing on earth she wanted to eat.

Malone picked up the bowl. It smelled faintly chemical, but she was so hungry. There were no utensils. She ate the gruel with her fingers, feeling primitive and grimy. She leaned against the wall, her eyelids drooping. Funny, she thought, I really shouldn't be this tired... She slumped over, cracking her head on the pavement.

She jerked awake. A bright light shined down on her from above. It felt like she was lying on cold metal. Mal went to cover her eyes, but she couldn't move her hands. Someone was talking, but it was indistinct, like Malone was underwater.

She struggled against her restraints, the worn leather cutting into her skin. Her head pounded and her mouth was dry. Her hearing sharpened suddenly, "-would you, Malone?"

Malone looked over towards the voice. It was Stygia. Her matted black curls brushed Malone as she leaned over her. "What?" Mal croaked weakly.

Stygia laughed raucously, making Malone flinch. "I placed a bet that you wouldn't scream. You wouldn't want to let me down, would you?" Stygia said.

Stygia picked up what looked to be a roll of gauze, shoving it into Malone's mouth. "Here," she said, "If you don't bite this, you'll bite your tongue off. We both know what a shame that would be."

Malone looked frantically around, but there was nothing she could do. She struggled vainly against the thick leather restraints. Stygia's eyes flashed, and the pain began.

A/N

Oh boy. I finally finished chapter 15 and now I'm on chapter 16?! This is so crazy!!!

When I originally wrote this, I had Stygia as the main villain. After re reading I realized how bad the first (completed!) book was... And I totally re wrote it. I had Rumlow be the "main" villain for a bit, but I decided to kill him off because I hate him so much. I decided to bring back Stygia because I really missed writing her. She's loosely based off of Bellatrix from Harry Potter.

In case I wasn't clear, (and which might be expanded on later): Stygia has powers. She can manipulate the mind, inflict pain (perhaps madness?), and also has mediocre telekinesis. Meaning she can move (or shove things like she did to James) some things but she can't lift a car or some such.

I hope she's a good villain! I have a plan for the rest of the book and I'm thinking five to ten chapters til the end. Then we'll see if we want to do another? Idk.

Hope you liked!