Fenrin had no idea how long it had been, the strange silent darkness of the cage gave no hint of time passing. His stomach had long twisted with hunger and he lay curled on the cold metal wishing for any sort of change. He tried to remember what he was doing in this dark place but the only memory he could summon was Jaired kicking him and his retaliation.

The memory had only three stages: pain, his raging hatred, and then the euphoria of victory. He latched onto the third, gleaning what pleasure he could to avoid going mad from the darkness.

The memory was stale, he knew it better than his surroundings. He ached for something new. Anything, especially something to bring back that feeling of triumph.

When his chain rustled, he almost didn’t believe it was real. When it went taunt and the darkness dissolved, the dim light was blinding to his squinting eyes. His mind, deprived of senses, now exploded with them and he had a hard time concentrating.

"Steady, my pet. Douse him."

He reeled back as cold water was thrown in his face. After the initial shock he licked his parched lips and sucked his hair trying to get more of the relieving liquid. Another bucketful drenched him and the fire in his throat finally ceased.

Niv stood to the side, her blue and black skin the only thing not tinged with red. She spun her hand, coiling the chain and pulling him to the bars.

"I have a job for you, Wolf, and I think you'll enjoy it."

He blinked. Wolf...that was his name, wasn't it? Jaired had called him pup. He frowned, there was something he wasn't remembering. Niv stroked his chin as he tried to think.

"There is a group of men in my valley. I want you to kill them."

The Wolf grinned. Niv laughed. "I see you've come to terms with your purpose. Here have a taste."

She touched his forehead and he was racing through the trees. Figures ran from him, hunters, their bows and knives useless as they became the hunted. He laughed at their attempts to escape and reached out, his victory nearing. The image faded.

Niv opened the cage and the two men outside it jumped back but the Wolf ignored them. He leapt out, heart pounding, his prey would not escape. Niv held out a sword and he took it, turning to the exit.

He would catch them, he would win.

Despite his tunnel vision, the men's trail was easy enough to follow. The Wolf stalked through the trees, already imagining the thrill of watching the light die in their eyes. The thrill of victory.

He found them by the lake, one refilling his waterskin while the other scanned the treeline hunting bow drawn. The Wolf waited. The one with the waterskin said something and for a moment the other looked away. The Wolf charged.

The guard spun back, an arrow shooting from his bow. The Wolf dodged it, skidding in the loose sand. The man cocked another arrow, but misjudged his opponent's speed, and instead a sword cut into his chest. The other hunter jumped on the Wolf with a knife and he grunted as it cut through his skin, shredding the pathetic remains of the black robe he still wore and soaking his chest and arms with blood.

Grabbing the extended hand, the hunter of hunters twisted it, enjoying the snap. The man screamed but his other hand tossed sand into the Wolf’s eyes and, caught off guard, he let go and the man ran to the side.

The hunter picked up the fallen man's bow and aimed as the Wolf pursued. The arrow dug into his shoulder but he ignored it, his heart feeling like it would rip itself out of his chest if he didn't see his prey's blood.

With a snarl, he threw his sword and it thudded into a tree right as the hunter looked up with a new arrow. It made the man start and the Wolf was able to tackle him, knocking the new arrow aside.

The man put the thick wooden bow between them but the Wolf punched him and tore the bow away. Its thick bowstring slicing into his fingers which bled as he grabbed the broken arrow and held it like a knife. The hunter begged him for mercy, but his attacker plunged the sharp point into the man's neck. He gurgled and fell limp. The Wolf howled in victory.

Feeling alive again, he dropped the body with disinterest and turned to drink deeply from the lake. Despite the sting from his wounds, he dove into the water. Refreshed, he returned to the first dead man and ripped through the pack at his feet, devouring the food inside.

The sun was hot and after a while he became very warm. Too late he realized it was the iron band on his throat and not the summer sun. Despite its heat, he ran his fingers over it, trying to find a way to remove it. He smelled his fingers burning but then the burn exploded into a different pain that rippled through him and sent him gasping to the sand. There was a tug and he crawled in that direction. The pain stopped and he grimaced.

He didn't want to go back to that place, to that dark cage, so he tried to turn back to the lake but predictably nearly passed out from pain. With a growl, he grabbed his sword and began the reluctant trudge back towards the fortress.

Black robed figures waded away from him as he approached and he took satisfaction in their fear. A skeletal corpse didn't move fast enough and he smashed it's skull with a swipe of his blade. At the great hall’s entrance, he tried to stop once more but the pull grew stronger and when the door opened, the chain materialized. Niv stroked the iron links.

"Well done, Wolf. Come here."

He glanced from her to the cage next to her and stood his ground. The collar began to burn but he just raised his sword.

"Not going back in," he managed to growl and to his surprise was able to get the words out.

Niv laughed and walked to her throne, sitting down, her shapely legs slipping out of her black dress that shimmered like shadow as she crossed her legs. "Sit here."

She pointed at the base of her throne and Fenrin grimaced. Niv pulled the chain and his vision went white as if he'd been bludgeoned on the back of the head. He stumbled forward, falling to her feet.

"There, Viris. All taken care of. No more scouts. And if anyone comes from Aziron, they will suffer the same fate. Though perhaps if we are lucky they will be foolish enough to send another vessel for my brother."

The words meant nothing to the Wolf and he hung his head between his legs as exhaustion swept back over him. Niv's next words blurred as his heart slowed and he nodded off.

A pressure on his forehead woke him. Niv had her elbow on the arm of her throne, her other hand reaching over to touch him, its sharp finger point digging into his scalp.

"Mmm Wolf, entertain me."

He groaned, his stomach was not happy with how he had gorged and his muscles ached. Before he could think, the room disappeared and he was outside, a cold breeze blowing a flurry of snow sideways. Fenrin crouched as two wolves circled him. He licked his lips and tensed, waiting for them to strike.

When they did he jumped to the side, pointing his sword up and impaling the one who’d leapt at him. Its jaws snapped even as it died, digging it's fangs into his arm. He ripped it free and heaved the large body off him.

The first wolf bit his foot, pulling his legs out from under him and dragged him back. Fenrin reached for his sword but it was buried under the corpse. The wolf released him and stepped forward, eyeing his throat. Fenrin reached into his boot and pulled out a dagger, slashing the wolf's muzzle as it bared its teeth to strike.

It yelped and Fenrin fumbled to his feet before throwing himself on the beast. His arms locked around its neck as he tried to stay clear of its teeth and angle the knife into its throat.

It threw back its head, clawing at his side with its front paw, ripping through his furs and leather and gashing him open. Fenrin reared back an arm and plunged the dagger into the wolf's grey eye through to its brain. It whimpered and fell, it's dark pink tongue lolling.

Fenrin clutched his side. He'd won. The wolves held no more fear for him.

He blinked, one hand on his side, the other on a bone jabbed into the eye socket of a maggoty wolf corpse lying on the stone floor. He jumped back disgusted. Niv applauded and a few cultists laughed amused.

Fenrin fell back exhausted and flinched when something was thrown at his side. It was a piece of meat flopping wetly onto the stone. He took it, tearing it to pieces before wiping his mouth and searching for a way to get to the laughing mages. But the ring of black fire surrounded him and even as he approached, deciding to jump through to stop their laughter, he was yanked back.

"How about this one?" Niv asked and he turned.

A woman leapt at him, her daggers flashing. The fortress melted away into the dining hall and Lyra turned younger. Her blade nicked his cheek and his world spun and went black.

No, no. That's no fun. Try again.

She lunged again and this time he knocked her blade aside and punched her in the face. She skidded back, holding a hand to her bloody nose in disbelief. He smirked at her.

Finish her.

Fenrin paused. That wasn't right. It was until first blood.

His heart began to pound in his chest and Lyra leered at him. Fenrin’s breathing quickened and his muscles tensed as adrenaline suddenly surged through him. He wanted her to stop looking at him like that. Like she was better than him. Like she had any chance of winning.

Stepping forward, he kicked her in the stomach. She coughed and turned to move away, but he planted a foot on her shoulder. Her sharp dagger stabbed him in the calf but he raised his sword and thrust down. It cut clean through her and embedded into the wood floor. Her face was shocked and blood bubbled up out of her mouth.

He won.

Fenrin was on his back on the stone. Water was dumped on him again and he gurgled and choked, turning on his bleeding side, his fingers slipping on the slick red floor.

"Should we put him back in the cage, my queen?"

He snarled in the direction of the speaker but once again his eyes could only see red blurs with the exception of Niv, who waved a hand and stood up, stepping down the steps. "No, bring him to my room."

He tried to fight the arms that dragged him down the hall but he was too weak to move. He vaguely felt the pain in his side stop as he was dragged through the haze.

The arms dropped him and a door shut. Again he tried to focus on his surroundings. The floor was soft, a plush carpet. Niv was sitting on a bed considering him. "You reacted so strongly to the cage. Why?"

Her finger curled, beckoning him over and he moaned as the heat around his neck began. Fenrin dragged himself the few feet towards her and she placed a nail between his eyes.

Fenrin paced the cell. How had he been so easily defeated? It was unthinkable. He kicked at the bars but they stubbornly remained unmoved. The door opened and the auburn haired bitch appeared holding a plate of food. He snarled at her, threatening her until she grimaced and left, shutting him the dark once more.

He would kill her. Tear her to pieces and enjoy the sound of her screams. Her and her fake hunting party. Eventually she would make a mistake—she would slip and he would catch her.

Ah, this is delicious.

The memory continued to play, skipping to his most frustrated moments. Niv flipped back and forth over his life, forcing him to relive every battle, every pain and triumph in combat.

He was boarding a ship, its sails ablaze. Men ran about, cutting down the enemy. Parrying a man's sword easily, Fenrin slid the blade out of the lesser swordsman's hand. He kicked him to the floor and moved forward to the next foe. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the itch to finish the job.

Why?

Fenrin paused and turned back to the man on the floor, scrambling to retrieve his sword. He kicked him down again and raised his own blade to neatly decapitate the man but once more his arm stayed. He frowned. There was a reason he didn't strike but he couldn't quite remember. He wanted to beat him, the urge powerful enough to distract him but it wasn't enough to make him lower the sword. The man crawled away, escaping behind a few barrels.

Fenrin stood there dumbfounded. Why? There was a determination behind this, he had decided not to kill when he'd boarded this ship. Why?

Why indeed?

He shouted at the woman. "I kept my promise! I followed every one of your damned rules."

"So I suppose the other ship is sailing safely beside us?" she gestured at the cabin door.

His annoyance turned to frustrated rage and he wanted to hit her, to make her apologize but instead he gritted his teeth.

"No, the ship burned. Everyone on board is dead but I didn't touch one of them."

I don't understand.

He opened his eyes and Niv looked at him with disgust. "You disappoint me, Wolf. I thought you a soul of pure hatred but something holds you back from your potential."

His brows furrowed. He had forgotten something. He'd made a promise.

Without thinking he whispered, "Jayln."

Niv's face turned terrible and she slapped him, her nails cutting deep furrows in his cheek.

"She ruined you! Crippled your potential!" Niv screeched and he backed away from her. Her flame-like hair danced lividly and he felt blood drip from his eyes once more staining his face.

After a moment, Niv calmed and turned to him with a cruel smile. "Perhaps it is not too late. With the right push..."

Fenrin crawled away, certain for one clear moment that she intended to take something precious from him but she tugged his leash and he fell back into her waiting lap.

The right push...

Jayln's green eyes flashed angrily and she dropped into that strange stance of hers. Sword abandoned, she charged Fenrin. He held his ground and thrust his sword but she dodged, knocking it aside and closing the distance.

They fought until he had her locked against him, falling forward so she was pinned beneath him. She struggled but finally stopped and they both laid there panting.

Fenrin's sight cleared of stars and he looked down into her dark green eyes. He hadn't noticed before but her skin was speckled with light freckles, barely darker than her tanned skin. A different hunger grew and he kissed her.

She bit him and he pulled back laughing. He licked the blood that dribbled off his lip as she pulled at his grip. "Get off of me."

"I don't think so."

He held her down and she struggled again. "Get the hell off me!" A note of panic grew in her voice and it was sweet to Fenrin's ears.

"What if I order you to just lie there?" She froze and Fenrin used his legs and hand to shimmy her pants to her knees. He worked on his own belt.

"If you do this, you'll have to kill me after, or I'll escape and my people will hunt you down."

He laughed and lowered his face to whisper in her ear, "So I kill you, get more men and burn your village. You're naïve." He kissed the nape of her neck and she tried to flinch away.

"If...if that was your plan all along, why even bother with the agreement? With sending your men away? Why not leave this morning?"

"Without you?" he asked in mock love, his hand emerging to brush the hair from her face. He leered down at her face pale with wide eyes full of desperate thoughts.

For a moment her face blurred, red eyes looked up fascinated against blue skin, but then it was once more Jayln's deliciously terrified face.

She tried to speak but he crushed the words with his mouth again. He jerked the end of her shirt up, pulling it up to her breasts. He leaned down, running his tongue over her ribs. She twisted under him and he grinned.

She whimpered as he bit her side and his hand slipped beneath her and squeezed her ass. She flinched. "Please, no."

He used his legs to spread hers wide and turned to lick her cheek and whisper, "Beg me."

She stiffened and he laughed, then with no warning he thrust into her and she screamed. He bit at the crook of her neck.

"Please."

He smelled her tears and licked them up. He had her trapped more than she had ever held him. "Please stop, I-I'm begging you."

For a moment he paused and began to lift his weight. She stopped trembling for a moment but he grinned and pushed into her again. He kissed her, pushing his tongue down her throat. She was shaking from both his actions and her horror.

Her back arched and her hands slipped free of his grip, he pressed his fingers into the plush carpet and her sharp red nails dug into his back. He pulled away and enjoyed the look of her tearstained face, her auburn hair mixing with the red of his vision and the dim light.

She headbutted him and he laughed as she tried to wriggle free and begin crawling away. He grabbed her shapely thigh and pulled her back. She screamed and as he tackled her, he pushed her blue knees up underneath her and shoved her face into the floor.

When he was finished, she curled into a ball, her shaking hands trying to cover herself. He grinned and buckled his pants. "Naïve, but no longer innocent." He laughed and turned to disappear into the trees.

Niv replayed the rape over and over until Fenrin was exhausted but left with satisfaction that he had beaten the one who had imprisoned him. He lay at the foot of Niv's bed, a smile on his sleeping face.