Beneath the veil of fear

A sharp, piercing cry escaped Delaeni's lips as she felt the pressure of Sephiran's fangs sinking into her shoulder. The searing pain spread through her body like a wildfire, engulfing her in a fiery agony that stole her breath and left her trembling uncontrollably. She collapsed to the ground under his weight, the impact knocking the wind out of her as she struggled to regain her composure. Sephiran loomed over her like a vengeful specter, his eyes burning with malice and his teeth still buried deep in her flesh. Every fiber of Delaeni's being screamed in fear and pain as she lay helpless beneath him. Trembling. Cowering. Though she dare not move for the possible repercussions of perceived defiance.

Her voice came out in a choked whimper, strained and ragged as she struggled to form coherent words through the haze of pain and terror. "We... we left Saffron b-because... because the S-Sultan... err, Apollyon commanded it," she gasped, her voice trembling with each syllable. "He... he ordered us to... to come find you..." She winced as a fresh wave of pain shot through her shoulder, her breath hitching in her throat as she awaited Sephiran's response, bracing herself for whatever punishment he deemed fit for her and Azoula’s alleged transgressions.

"Delaeni Terblanche"