The stone at my back is cold, the darkness surrounding me so complete its numbing my senses. I have no idea how long I’ve been here. All I know is pain and suffering. With gentle fingers, I prod at my face, feeling the swelling around my eyes, knowing they’re swollen shut from the last beating. My body aches everywhere. I can’t move. I can’t speak. I can only picture her beautiful face.

Dara.

That’s what keeps me going, encouraging me not to give up and let James win. He’s been torturing me - using his magic on me - ever since he brought me to this chamber, trying to get every detail about Dara out of me. He wants to know everything about her, from her strengths to her weaknesses.

No matter how much pain he inflicts on me though, I won’t give him anything. I’d rather die. To my brothers and me, she’s everything; she keeps me breathing, keeps me fighting.

Dara.

I can see her so clearly in my mind’s eye, her almost luminescent blue eyes, her dark hair. I wish I’d told her earlier how much she means to me. If I ever get out of here alive, I’ll tell her how I feel. I’d hold her tight and never let her go.

When Dara was gone all those years, it wasn’t just me who’d felt like part of my soul was missing - we’d all suffered. The bond we share is so strong that when we saw her in her dimension, it felt as if a part of us had come back. Having to leave her again hurt us - probably more than any one of us could bare alone - but we got through it.

Suddenly, the door to the chamber crashes open and light pours into the room. Pounding footsteps are coming my way and I don’t have to look up to see who it is; I know it’s him by the shiver that goes down my spine. I’d be lying if I said James didn’t scare the shit out of me - he does - but I’d never show that weakness to him. He’s responsible for the deaths of so many people, including Dara’s parents.

James is lethal, but the strange thing is, I know he was holding back on Dara when she retrieved the first stone. He could have ended her, but he didn’t. He’d just let her off, which makes me wonder what he’s really up to. When she eventually goes for Topaz, I hope she’s ready for whatever he has planned.

Shadows linger in the doorway - his slayers, I think - as James steps into the room.

“Still alive, are we?” he sneers in a voice that haunts my dreams. “It’s a shame you can’t look at your king while he tortures you.”

“Now Blair, are you ready to tell me all about your lover, or are you going to give me the silent treatment again?”

I remain quiet and James growls in frustration.

“You know I’m getting very sick and tired of these games. This is your last chance to tell me something – anything - about her. I want to know her weaknesses,” he grits out. His voice has gradually become more vicious with each visit.

I know I’m pushing my luck with my silence but I can’t break - not now.

Not ever.

I sit in quietness again - the same as every other day. James waits for several minutes before bringing pain down on my body. I try to brace myself for it but no matter how many times I try, it doesn’t make any difference. As soon as it hits, I’m in agony. Starting at the top of my head, it slowly creeps inch by inch down my neck, into my chest, eventually consuming my whole body. That’s when I wait for it - the intense, vice-like pain to clamp down on my limbs. It seizes me and I scream despite my best efforts to stay quiet, to not give him the satisfaction of hearing me beg for it to stop.

I lay on the hard floor, unmoving, struggling to remember why I needed to stay alive. What did I have to live for?

Her! my inner voice screams. “Have it your way,” James murmurs, his eyes burning. “But remember this Blair; you have only one more chance. If you don’t give me the information I need in the next twenty-four hours, I’ll be going after everyone you love and she will be at the top of my list.” I hear him retreat, but then he stops and I brace myself for what’s about to come.

James’ magic hits my body at full force. Searing red-hot pain travels from my head to my toes. I can feel consciousness beginning to slip away, and although I try to stay awake, it’s too much.

My body is on fire.

Please hurry, princess, I need you. This is my last thought as everything fades to darkness.