Brena

Rthan flipped Brena face and belly to the stone. The cold seeped through her bare skin.

She heard the whip snap a moment before a snake of fire slithered over her back. She couldn’t swallow her shriek. The pause lasted just long enough for her to anticipate the next blow with mounting fear. Then another agonizing sting bit her bare buttocks. Dread swelled in another long pause. By the third lash of the whip, she began to sob into her arm.

A hand brushed her hair back from her wet cheek. A soft, deep voice. “Tell me what we need to know, so I can stop. I hate hurting you.”

“You were eager enough to chose me to torture.” She tried to twist away from him, but only succeeded in wiggling her side to the rock.

“It was the only way I could keep some control over your fate.” He leaned closer, whispering, “Please. Help me end this.”