Three days.

Esania counted the number of times light and darkness had graced the windows overhead as she lay in her bed, wearing the soft white dress the Naaga had provided her with.

Three days passed and still there was no sign of the Drakhin. The Naaga servant—she’d since learned that he was called Rau—came and went, leaving food and water, snapping terse one-word commands. Berries, salty leaves, raw meat, nuts. Not unpleasant, but not the tastiest fare either. At least she wasn’t starving anymore, and none of it had killed her… yet.

Occasionally, Rau would point something out to her, then say the word in his language, as if he were expecting her to learn these things.

He wanted her to learn his language.

So she was here for the long run, then.

Once a day, the clear bathtub would mysteriously appear, only to disappear after she was finished bathing, and always when she wasn’t looking.

How does he do that?

She’d long since given up trying to figure it out. Rau was very good at his job. The Naaga was the consummate attendant. Efficient, unobtrusive, quiet. Her girls could learn a thing or two from him, only they weren’t her girls anymore. Technically, the humans she’d rescued from the Fiveways were now all freewomen.

Did any of them actually miss her now that she was gone? Esania hadn’t been the warmest of bosses, but she had saved their lives. Surely that counted for something, and hopefully, the Vradhu were searching for her. Ares-with-wings seemed to be her only hope of rescue, but he was injured, possibly dead.

And what could he do against a pale, winged monster who wielded raw energy from his hands?

What could she do?

Esania slid off the bed and padded across the room, heading for the small door in the wall. Three days of rest and nourishment had done wonders, and she almost felt back to her normal self again. The bone-crushing weariness was gone, and there was no way she was going to become lightheaded or black out again.

The way she’d been with the Drakhin last time… it was almost embarrassing.

She pressed her palm against the black door as she reached it, wondering what was on the other side. Both this one and the massive double doors were locked; she knew this because she’d inspected them countless times.

Three days, and she was growing restless, wondering what was going to happen next.

Perhaps she should ambush Rau when he came through that little door and make a run for it…

What a stupid idea. Besides, she didn’t mind the blue guy. He’d given her everything she needed and hadn’t hurt her in the slightest.

She couldn’t imagine bashing him in the face or knocking him out. Primeans of her station had no need for violence.

Voom. The door opened suddenly, and she stepped back, letting Rau pass.

The Naaga glared at her, bidding her to follow. “Nug,” he said. There was something in his arms; a garment of some sort.

He seemed to be in a hurry.

He seemed tense.

Something was about to happen, and she guessed it had everything to do with the Drakhin.

“He’s coming to feed, isn’t he?” She eyed the garment in Rau’s hands with suspicion. “And I’m supposed to wear that and get down on my knees and give him exactly what he expects.”

Just the thought of being on tap for this energy sucking monster was enough to make her nauseated. Angry, too, that she couldn’t do anything about it.

How utterly demeaning.

Rau thrust the garment in her face. It was a jacket of some sort, made of shimmering golden fabric that was similar in color of the Drakhin’s hair.

“No thanks.” Esania tossed it on the bed. “It’s too warm for that.” Now that she’d recovered, it was time to push back a little, to refuse the status quo.

To her surprise, Rau didn’t force her to do anything. He just gave her a cryptic look and slipped away, as soundless and unobtrusive as ever, ignoring her completely as he disappeared through his little side door.

It swung closed with a certain sense of finality, leaving her alone in silence to await her fate.

If the all-powerful Drakhin wanted to take her life-force, she had no way of stopping him. Beyond simple gestures, she had no way of communicating with him.

And there was no escape from this high tower in the sky.

No, this wasn’t a battle she was going to win by force or daring escapades. If she was going to survive, she was going to have to learn the Drakhin’s weaknesses…

And manipulate them.

Stars, how was she even supposed to begin to do that?