This is a darker chapter, like Chapter 5, because Calum Blackthorne is not a nice man. It contains instances of anal and oral sex and non-consent or reluctance. While it has no direct incidents of torture or discipline, those things happened in the background and you are aware of it. Be aware if those things are not your cup of tea.
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TeƔrlag crept through the dark passage, a hand outstretched in front of her, touching the wall. Even with the lit candle in her other hand, the light didn't reach far; the tunnel seeming to absorb light. Similar to the way the tunnel's owner absorbed love and joy with his presence, leaving only despair and hate. It was time for her report to Lord Blackthorne, a day she detested with all the fervor remaining in her soul. At least this time, she had news to report so perhaps he would be less cruel, although she doubted that was possible. She reached the end and fumbled for the hidden latch.
The door swung open, and she stepped into Blackthorne's dungeon, smoky from the few lamps. She heard the female moaning from the cage in which Blackthorne confined her. The poor girl had been here for several weeks now and TeƔrlag wondered how she was still alive. She dared not look at her, the grotesque and appalling things perpetrated on her too horrible to contemplate. TeƔrlag could only wonder what she had done to so anger Blackthorne, a severe reminder of what he could do should she stop cooperating.
"Help me," her voice whispered, raw and gravelly, no doubt damaged by the screams wrung from her throat as Blackthorne tortured her.
"I cannot," she whispered back. "It would be worth my life if he found out I helped you. I would take your place in the cage."
"Then kill me," the voice pleaded. "I can't take any more. Send me to my Savior."
"You ask too much of me," TeƔrlag answered. "I cannot take your life."
"It would be a blessing," she whispered. "I would consider you a Saint if you could find it within your heart to stop my suffering."
"Don't ask it of me. How can I do it without him knowing I've killed you, ending his pleasure? You must end it yourself."
"Suicide is a mortal sin. Even could I locate means, I cannot condemn myself to eternal damnation."
"As is murder."
"You would put down an animal who suffered as I do," the voice whispered. "Am I less deserving of your pity?"
"Please, you cannot ask this of me. I'm late. I must go."
Only a forlorn moan answered her back.
TeƔrlag continued her journey to hell, climbing the dark stairs to Blackthorne's study. It would be where he waited for her report. With every step, her dread increased, knowing the indignities that awaited her there. She opened the door and looked inside. Blackthorne sat at his desk, writing. He waved her in.
"You're late," he said.
"I'm sorry, Master. It won't happen again."
"I shall make sure it does not."
TeƔrlag nodded. He continued to write and she removed her clothes, laying them over the couch. When she was naked, she knelt down, waiting for him to finish. He worked on his letter for several minutes, finished, and sealed it closed. When completed, he turned to look at her.
She asked, "Might I ask my Master who the woman is in the dungeon and what she has done to offend my Master?"
He eyed her. "Why do you want to know?"
"She has been here several weeks. If I know what she has done for my Master to torment her so long, I could avoid making the same mistake."
Mollified, he said, "She is a servant girl and I'm trying to extract information from her."
"I would have thought she would have told my Master everything he wanted to know weeks ago."
"Sometimes they are unaware of the information they hold. It helps to approach the same query in different ways to establish the information is truthful, relevant and complete, especially when tortured. They say anything to stop the pain. It is important that the information remains the same every time you ask."
"You still question the information she gives you?"
"Right now I question why a mere servant girl means anything to you?"
"The moans she makes as I come in are distracting and disturbing, Master. I wonder how much longer you need her so I no longer have to listen to her."
"I am undecided. It may interest me to see how long I can make it last without her dying."
"Yes, Master. As you will it."
He considered her questions for a while, studying her. TeƔrlag remained calm and unflustered by his scrutiny.
"The servants tell me you sent them away two days ago. Why?"
"Laird Cameron called upon me and I sent them away so I could do as you instructed, begin my seduction of him. Servants can't speak of what they don't know."
"And you learned what in the process?"
"The Laird is interested in me. He opened up to me. He told me they have acquired the lands of Abner McTavish, won in a card game," TeƔrlag said. "The wife, Isobel, also changed hands. She is staying at Cameron Keep, a guest of the Cameron's."
"Damn!" Calum exclaimed. "They should be losing their property, not gaining more themselves."
"If my Master would consider; when he takes their lands, it will only be more for him."
"Quite right, I suppose; more for me. The woman, Isobel, is she a threat for Thorburn's affections?"
"He says not. He believes his younger brother, Frang, is interested in her, but wonders if she will respond to him. McTavish mistreated her and may have ruined her for other men. That is his suspicion although he does not know."