Beneath the veil of fear

She was frozen. Not from the icy floor beneath her, but from the grip of fear that constricted around her chest, squeezing tighter with each passing second. Her anxiety-ridden mind was a whirlpool of thoughts, each more terrifying than the last. She didn’t know what more she could say to convince him that she was telling the truth. But in the end, there was nothing left to be said.

Pain exploded at the back of her neck, a searing rush of agony that made her vision blur and ears ring. She yelped, a choked sound that echoed through the den, filling the space with its shrill note. Her body was jerked around ruthlessly; muscles strained and stretched painfully under the torment. Helplessness washed over her, the world spinning as her body was flung. The metallic taste of her own blood filled her mouth, making her whimper in despair. Breathing became a chore, each inhale bringing nothing but the harsh burn of the freezing air and the iron tang of her blood. She felt lighthead-headed and weak, her vision blurring at the edges. The cold seemed to seep deeper into her bones, the chill making her shudder uncontrollably beneath him. A thin whimper escaped her lips, her body convulsing as Delaeni fought against the wave of unconsciousness.

"Delaeni Terblanche"