She holds her breath as the spike closest to her arm pierces her skin. She tucks her lower lip into her mouth and closes her eyes tightly, swallowing the pain. It digs deeper and the squelch from breaking flesh fills the room.
Her lips unfold and she screams into the chambers as tears fall from her eyes. Then she hears the sound of hurried footsteps as someone runs past her. She opens her eyes but sees only a blur from the side.
The spikes withdraw and instant relief washes over her arm. She holds the arm in a death-grip and slowly turns toward the hedge as she sees Zane breathing heavily, staring at her. Her body tenses with shock on seeing him again. Her eyes look past him and she sees the glistening Sceptre on the hedge.
“What are…” Her eyes burn as tears form around her eyes. A few
