Not just suffering, Vikrant replied coldly, and his voice was low but poisonous; there will be much more. You know things you could well imagine. What you are looking at at this moment—this is a demo. The actual sufferings are yet to come. I warned you before, didn't I? I warned you that in case you attempted to go away, you were going to get into much trouble. And now perhaps not you, but one or two of your dear ones could pass away. That's all. Nothing more."

He was standing too near to the face of Ishani by the time he stopped speaking. She shuddered uncontrollably at his words. She had prior knowledge of the type of man Vikrant was—anyone could do anything.

I—I—do not want you to do that, please, please, please... "I'll do whatever you say."

Kriti's eyes widened in shock.

"No, Ishani! Don't listen to him!" She cried out. A man like him—the man can do anything to you, doing this much. It is not to believe anything he says. Please! Don't do this because of me. I will be all right; do not worry about me! Just get out of here!"

The guard pressed the knife again on her throat before she was able to complete her message. Kriti cried out in pain, and her voice reverberated in the room with a relatively small stream of blood running down her neck.

"No!" Ishani screamed, and her face was in tears. She ran up and caught Vikrant by his shirt, and wept hysterically.

"Please! Stop this! I shall do whatever thou dost—anything! Just don't hurt her! Please, let Kriti go. I will do anything you tell me, I swear!

She fell forward, still holding his collar, and crying her eyes out.

To see her disintegrate so, the lips of Vikrant twisted into an evil, devilish grin. He leaned near and his lips touched her ear, and he said,

Do you really think you will do whatever I tell you to?

Ishani continued to nod with his tears streaming.

Vikrant stepped in front of her and looked right into her face that was filled with tears. His tone turned colder.

He said when people become desperate, they can do anything. And girls like you—they are the easiest to govern.

His face became hard with rage. He flung his collar out of her hands and turned his back toward the other side. Ishani continued to cry without uttering a sound, and her heart was breaking with each breath.

Kriti, who was under the guard, gazed at her and was making a painful face.

"Ishani, stop!" "Plead thou, I beseech," said she. You do not need to do it on my account. Don't give in to him." Her own cheeks were in tears.

But Ishani swept her eyes and gazed at Vikrant. Her voice was weak but steady.

"Say to your men, let Kriti pass," said she. "I'll do whatever you say."

Kriti's eyes were full again with tears. She felt the pain of Ishani realizing how much Vikrant could torture.

Vikrant glanced back at his guards, without expression and motionless. Kriti was picked up by the two men and dragged towards the door. Kriti did not want to give in, and she kept on hooking her heels on the ground as she stared at Ishani repeatedly.