WHEN AKSHARA WOKE UP, she was lying on the floor inside of a dimly lit room and surrounded by several men and women wearing leather armor. They had swords and knives at their side. Akshara tried to sit up but screamed as she realized her hands and feet were bound
“Our guest is awake, Carimo,” a large ugly man with a scar running down the side of his face said.
“Who are you and what are you going to do with me?” Akshara asked.
“We’re going to give you a choice, girl. The same one we give to everyone we choose to initiate into our sacred mysteries,” the scarred man replied.
Another man came over and held a dagger to Akshara’s throat. She sucked in her breath and held it for as long as she could.
“Don’t worry, girl. I’m not going to kill you, unless you choose incorrectly, of course,” th
