46
Kiria
When it was over, two Tanyu—the big one who had interrogated her and the woman with slim green eyes and black hair—threw Kiria back in her cell under the arena. She collapsed, shuddering violently. Blood pooled under her face. Revulsion paralyzed her. She ached to know the extent of her wounds, but couldn’t bear the thought of touching her face. Belik had carved deep into her lips and chin, saying something about taking away her Beauty. It was all a trap for Jori and Firian.
She had to get up. Her mouth was filling with blood. She had to get her face above her heart. A strange breath of air touched her teeth in new ways, outside to inside. Crawling to the corner, she propped herself against the wall and spit. The trembling hadn’t stopped. She felt cold and sick and afraid and a
