Anastasia flattened her back against the wall, hugged the shadows and held her breath. Watching as Luthur paced in front of the cage like a lion waiting to pounce on its prey.
"I'm done playing with you, Derkein. Tell me where the crystal is, and I promise I'll kill your family and friends swiftly. Deny me, and I'll take my time playing with them."
Declan didn't fight back as the soldiers hoisted him out of the cell, dropping him at Luthur's feet. Anastasia hadn't exhaled yet. Some part of her brain transmitted that fact, telling her to let the breath out, to drag another draught of air into her burning lungs. But she couldn't.
Luthur bent and sifted Declan's hair in his hand. With a firm tug, he wrenched his head back and up. "Did you not hear me?"
Anastasia's heart twisted, and a sob
