The smell of vomit mixed with the metallic scent of blood in the air, making me feel even sicker. I dry heaved several more times, my body trying to reject something that wasn't even there anymore.
I had seen violence before. Back in Shadowcrest, punishments were sometimes harsh. But nothing like this. Nothing so deliberate and cruel.
This wasn't just execution. This was torture designed to send a message.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and tried to compose myself. People were still gathering in the courtyard, and I didn't want anyone to notice my reaction.
These past few days, I had been living so comfortably under Darius's protection that I had started to forget who I was dealing with. I had gotten used to his gentleness with me, his patience during our training sessions,
