Gypsy Rising

“What?” Idun finally asks her, as Damien mutters a curse under his breath and scrubs a hand over his face.

“I have no right or legal authority to stop this. I’m too young to be able to judge this law, due to the fact I don’t know the story about why it was passed to begin with. But since I represent sanctuary, I have the right to keep peace by giving you your pound of flesh, while also protecting those who come into neutral, untouchable, sacred territory and seek my protection.”

I exhale a painful, shaky breath, as the life is drained out of me.

Idun looks trapped for a second, as she glares at Violet.

“Why put that little combat addendum in there if you planned on just taking the punishment yourself?” Idun asks through strain, like she’s exerting herself to keep her control.

Violet’s lips twitch. “To ensure you came after me the second you read it. You predictably couldn’t resist.”

“Don’t fucking goad her, you stupid girl,” Marta says as she slams her hand against the bar closest to her.

Violet winks over at her mother. “Ah, Mom, don’t be so surprised. You secretly knew I was born for this. That’s why you told me not to lose my head every time I stepped outside. You never wanted me to end up here.”

Marta’s eyes glisten, as she fights to stay composed. My mother shoots a nervous look my way. Arion’s family all cast worried glances toward him, as Idun helps Violet into a pillory with too much amusement.

I really wish I fucking knew what laws I’ve passed these past five months.

The Morpheous family dart occasional glances between Damien and Dorian, as Dorian enjoys the moment too much.

Emily keeps a straight face, sitting in the back with her foot propped up on the back of the chair just below her row. Isiah remains just as stoic, as Idun draws out the suspense, giving everyone time to assess how each other is gauging the situation.

Idun calmly walks over and selects one of the lesser offensive weapon choices—simple leathers braided in larger pieces for less tearing. She shoots us a pointed look to ensure we notice the small mercy.

All of my knuckles pop at once.

“How many licks in total?” Idun asks as Violet stays secured in her degrading position, hair hanging in her face.

“My shifter is three-hundred-and-sixty-eight. I’d say as many licks—the maximum punishment—was already predictable by everyone viewing this,” Violet, the bloody maddening girl—who is ripping my heart out—says as she goads Idun some more.

Idun glances at the floggers again, moving over to select a smaller braided pattern, shrugging at us as if to say she tried.

In the next instant, Violet is struck so hard and so surprisingly that she makes a startled, pained sound. Arion’s on his feet in the next instant.

“Sit down, Vampyre. It’s just one little blow,” Idun cautions as blood trickles from Violet’s slash.

Her shirt has ripped, and Idun circles her, checking Violet’s face.

“Sit down, Arion. Don’t draw this out and make it more fun for her, please,” Violet says in such a whisper that I barely hear it. “Stay neutral.”

Arion’s jaw grinds, as he laughs humorlessly under his breath, that crazy laugh he gets before he does something stupid. But instead of doing something stupid, he sits, shaking his head, as his eyes burn with anger.

“After every ten blows, I’m required to state who I am, and why I’m here,” Violet tells her.

“We can skip that formality,” Idun tells her dismissively.

The next two blows come consecutively, and Violet doesn’t react. Idun grinds her jaw and hits her so hard that Violet’s blood sprays into the first row’s laps. Again, Violet doesn’t make a sound.

“Being tough just makes you stupid,” Idun tells her. “That’s only four.”

Violet’s skin starts pulling together on its own, and Idun’s smirk slowly starts to fall. Zuela’s eyes close…as though he almost feels sorry for Violet, when the healing continues.

“I forgot to mention I heal very fast and have a ridiculously high pain tolerance,” Violet quips like it’s good news. “Especially after that lightning storm I got caught up in two Thursdays ago when I went out for milk. You caught me on a good day.”

Nadine sits up straighter, brow furrowing, as Marta covers her mouth and makes no sound at all, a dead look in her eyes.

“If anyone interrupts this, it’s considered an act of war, right?” Idun asks, glancing back at us. “I’ll still get to tear down her precious sanctuary she loves so much if you make any moves. Laws don’t exist during wars, no matter how brief.”

The air chills, as Arion’s eyes turn solid red. Idun turns away from him, and from the fifth hit all the way until the tenth, Violet is struck so hard and so fast that she crashes through the pillory from the force, knocking it off its hinges, as she slams into the floor face first.

“Don’t you fuckers dare start a war after watching Idun TV for five months. You owe me this,” Violet groans from the floor when we all stand.

“That’s ten,” Anna shouts down to her.

Violet gives her a limp thumb’s up, eyes never reaching ours. “I’m January Violet Carmine, protector of the sanctuary, and I’m here to accept another’s punishment because I disagree with the punishment.”