FINNIAN

“Ahhhhhh!!”

Daze’s scream ripped through the cold stone walls like something alive, clawing straight into my chest. They dragged the silver rope across his back again, slow and merciless, and the sound of skin splitting… I’d heard men die on battlefields with less pain.

Blood slid down his spine, dark and steady, but he didn’t even have the strength to fight back anymore. Just his voice... broken, hoarse begging without words.

I stood in front of the cell, my hands were ...