The cold realization trickling down my spine - this was never about Master Larissa. In all her love for entertaining, word about me had traveled through Tremont, I was aware of the rumors. However, it had never been of consequence to me. A slave will always be a slave to their master - the ramblings of society are of little consequence.

  I took a deep breath looking around to be sure Kaim was not nearby and then put my ear back to the door.

  "I swear," Larissa whispered. "I had no idea."

  "I believe you," Don Vannis said. "But now we both know. This child is dangerous."

  "She's already eighteen-despite her size."

  "She is a slave?"

  "A ward... well, a slave.... but I have raised her as such. I mean those markings were so delightful to -"

  "I will be clear. This kind of power belongs to the Tribunal. The Holy Triad demands it be consecrated... and returned."

  "You mean to kill her?"

  "That's one way.. A return to the Holy Triad..... Or, if her magic is suppressed... if she's otherwise occupied, there may be no need."

  A pause. Then Larissa asked, hesitating, "Occupied how?I can't put her to hard labor after all the money I've spent turning her into an entertainer."

  "Of course not... the only way to keep a woman in line is under a man."

  "You mean?"

  "Use her for entertainment. Her female attributes. So long as she is under a man, we have no cause for concern."

  There was movement. I stepped quickly around the corner and watched them exit. Larissa walked him toward the main corridor, her heels clicking on the tile.

  "Don Vannis, is this really the only-"

  "Either you keep her on her back, or we will put her there. It is up to you."

  He turned and left with the gem box in hand.

  Master Larissa stood in the corridor for a long, frozen second. Then she turned-and I rushed to her.

  "Master Larissa! What are we going to do?" My voice cracked, trembling. My eyes searched hers for anything kind, anything real.

  She looked down at me. Cold. Distant.

  "Exactly as he said."

  The words hit me like a slap.

  "Master... you can't be serious."

  "You are eighteen years old," she said. "Did you think you would have a free ride?"

  "But... you said you would help me find a husband one day."

  "One day someone might buy you as a wife. How can we start looking if you're not for sale?"

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  I stared. "You can't be serious."

  "Did you think this would last forever?"

  I glared at her, horror sinking in. "But you're not selling me as a wife-you're just selling my body!"

  She stepped closer, nose raised in that familiar sneer. "And what of it?"

  "You can't do that!"

  "And why can't I? You're my property."

  I pressed a shaking hand to my mouth.

  Had I really forgotten what I was?

  Had I really convinced myself she loved me?

  I could feel it rising-the pressure under my skin, the swell of something ancient and strong.

  "I..." I whispered, the tears beginning to fall. "Then I... won't be your property anymore."

  Her face twisted. "You can't!" she shouted. "The Holy Tribunal has been after you for a long time. I've only kept them away with my money and my influence. They keep saying you're dangerous. Why do you think they came the other day? They offered to buy you-but when I asked what would happen, it was clear they planned to kill you!"

  My vision swam, everything blurred by salt and grief.

  "You can go out there and be killed by the Church," she hissed, "or stay here and be useful until someone else wants you permanently. I protected you!"

  "You never protected me," I whispered.

  More tears. My whole body shook.

  "Do you even know why they are doing this?" I asked through supressed sobs.

  "No... Why would the Church care about me?" My voice broke. "I'll find out myself."

  "Does it make any difference?" she scoffed.

  .... what?

  "They told me you were cursed when I bought you."

  No...

  "I assumed it was just some insipid superstition from island monkeys-"

  I really want to chop your-

  "But the Chu-"

  Thud.

  "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

  A blade of yellow light-thin and hot as the sun-shimmered into existence and sliced through the air.

  It hit Larissa just below the collarbone. Her arm came off clean at the shoulder, the bone gleaming white under wet flaps of shredded muscle and skin. Blood gushed in pulsing arcs from the exposed artery. She collapsed, screaming, shrieking so violently it twisted her voice raw.

  "You stupid CUNTING MONKEY BITCH!!" she howled, writhing, kicking, one high heel flying off her foot. Her eyes were wide and glassy with shock.

  Ahh... that's right.

  I had pictured the blade in my mind.

  "Ma... Master Lari-" I stammered.

  "What is going on in here?!" The lounge door burst open.

  Kaim.

  His gray eyes scanned the scene in an instant: the glowing weapon in the wall, the blood, Larissa's writhing form. The maids behind him froze, hands over their mouths.

  "K-K-Kaim..." Larissa wheezed.

  They would have me killed.

  The thought crashed into me like a falling stone.

  They would tell.

  I couldn't let them.

  "K...Kaim!" Larissa gasped, her voice wet and bubbling. "Help..."

  Slice.

  Another blade of light lanced from my outstretched fingers-faster this time, with purpose. It cleaved through Kaim's throat in a blink, the edges cauterizing flesh as they passed. His head spun as it hit the ground, the body collapsing a moment later. Blood spurted from his neck in thick, gurgling pulses, soaking the hem of Larissa's dress.

  More screams. More blood. So much blood

  The maids behind him were in a panic. "Let me go," I snarled, stepping toward them, "or I'll kill all of you. Tell anyone-I swear you'll die slow."

  They scrambled over each other, themselves and blood, sobbing, crawling through the door.

  They would tell, but hopefully fear would buy me a few days.

  Behind me, Larissa was still alive.

  Barely.

  She'd pulled herself upright,

  ""Kit...anya..." Larissa gasped. Her skin was pale now, her lips blue. She had lost too much blood. She wouldn't last long.

  I turned to her.

  Something about her pathetic appearance now. The once-perfect hair matted to her face. Blood dribbled down her chin. She had slumped against the lounge chair. Her skin pale, lips turning blue. Blood pooled beneath her-so much of it. Her dress was soaked, sticking to her chest, the fine embroidery now a red blotched horror.

  It made me laugh. A small haunting chuckle of a laugh.

  "I never thought.... you would be the one entertaining me one day.... " stepping toward her. "but Master Larissa... I am sorry" I raised my hand one last time.

  A third blade-thinner, curved-arched into being.

  It passed clean through her neck.

  No scream this time. Only a choking hiss as her head lolled forward, and her body fell sideways with a final, wet slap.

  Her blood spread outward, joining the rest on the tile.

  And she was dead