Sleepwalker

Chapter Thirty-One: The Last of the Valiant Villains

“How lovely to see you again.” Varick squeezed more tightly against my throat. When I gasped and tried to gulp in air, he laughed. “Fish out of water, eh? There’s plenty of water where you’re going, lass.” He lifted me by my neck as I flailed my legs at him.

“Let…go!” I coughed out, jabbing my elbow back and kicking out my legs. “Let go!” My limbs felt like lead. My throat burned. The sensation spread throughout my body. It begged for air. Black spots danced before my eyes. I wheezed faintly. With a rough plop, cold permeated my dress, wet snow tickling my skin. I shivered.

“Wouldn’t want you to miss all of the fun,” he sneered, kicking against my ribs. When I whimpered and wrapped my arms around my stomach, he swung again. “I want to hear a crack. You’re not going to deny one to me, are you?” He asked innocently.

I rolled over, my middle tender from the few swipes he’d managed. When I peered up, I spied that both Goliath and Ace were on their feet again. It was an act, I realized. And I was stupid enough to fall for it. I cursed myself, crawling toward them. A metallic ping reverberated through the woods, followed by a soft thump. My eyes darted up again to sight Dill unconscious in the snow beside me. Arms wrapped around my ribs.

Ace hauled me up and pressed on my side. He chuckled at the tears that formed in my eyes. He mocked, “Little girl can’t handle a bit of pain, can she?” He set me on my feet against an enormous pine tree and aimed a blow straight for my face.

The wound tingled, but slowly became a throbbing pain. Blood gushed from my lip, staining the snow a bright crimson color. The metallic smell filled my nose; the heat of it dribbled down my chin. A slight sting distracted me; Ace had tied my wrists again.

Willing myself to forget the injuries and fight back, I inhaled deeply. A sharp pain in my ribs deterred me. With a groan, I clutched at my abdomen. I kneeled next to Dill, trying to gently stroke his head and search for a lump with my bound hands.

Before I could find one, Goliath heaved Dill over one shoulder and let his body fall where it may. My throat tightened and my heart thundered. Worry gripped me. I couldn’t muse on Armadillo too long as Ace grabbed the back on my neck.

Resting his head on my shoulder, he breathed into my ear, “Damn shame about your boyfriend.” He hugged my waist. When I smacked at him with my hands, he laughed, “Frisky one, eh? You know how I like it, baby.” Ace kissed my neck.

With a cringe, I squirmed away from him. My eyes followed Dill slung over Goliath’s shoulder dangling freely. I swallowed, saliva sticking to my throat.

Varick grabbed my arm. “Let’s go on then. We still have some unfinished business to attend to, don’t we, Genevieve?” He snarled my name distastefully. While we walked, he chatted to me. “I found you in the archives, Genevieve Stone. I hadn’t realized that you were entirely working class. I mean, the daughter of a southern innkeeper, had you spoken, you never could have fooled us for so long, especially,” he paused, turning me to face him, “as you’ve no formal schooling.” He laughed at this.

I bit my lip to keep from lashing out at him. As a child, I had always longed to go to school, but the walk to Yondrin was far too long and the work at the inn far too much.

“No comments? Fine, I’ll continue then. I also found out a small bit of something else.” He prodded me along with a boot to the back of my knee; I nearly fell over. “I found out that someone is a dirty bastard; although, from the copy of the letter she left, your mother was quite charming about dumping you on your father. After all, imagine what one could buy with a thousand Tyans. It’s more than enough to raise a child.”