She was conscious of pain; white hot flames burning through her skin. Then came the nausea, and finally the terror. She opened her eyes to see the yellow tiled room. She was still strapped to the table. Braydon sat in a chair at the far end, his legs and arms crossed. She tried to come to terms with where she was. Not in Claudius' basement, but Malick's. Yes. Malick had taken her.
"You're awake."
She focused on the sound of Braydon's voice and found him looking at her with an unsettled expression. "Please," she gasped desperately. He hadn't actually hurt her yet. Maybe he wasn't as bad as the others.
Sympathy flashed in his eyes then disappeared. "I need to notify the master."
"No," she begged. "Please. Just let me go. His plan"she took a shuddering breath."It won't work. Samael won't come. He doesn't care. He doesn't want to fight Malick. Please."
Braydon seemed to waver, then his voice grew firmer. "I need to notify the master."