Chapter Twenty Three

“Welcome back little warrior.” Rathial’s voice echoed in Elaina’s head. “I told you, you would soon be with your parents.”

Elaina looked around her at the pillars of fire, rocks chipping and falling into motes of burning hot lava.  Stilamites hung from the stone ceiling above her.

Little black creatures scuttled over her feet.  She tried to move away from them, but her body wouldn’t cooperate.

“Oh that’s so cute, you’re still trying to fight it.” Rathial laughed.  “Don’t you know where you are?”

He waved an arm out as smoke billowed up from behind him.  Large red eyes formed and focused on Elaina, they blinked once and then were gone.

Shuffling sounded behind her as cold hands clasped her arms.  A yelp escaped her lips involuntarily.

“Don’t worry, they won’t hurt you.” Rathial said idly crossing his arms.

“Unless I command them to anyway.  I didn’t bring you here to kill you.”  His eyes flashe