Chapter 33: The Sweet Taste of Vengeance

Saffron's nail broke as she dug it into the seam of the barn door, trying to pry it open. She cursed and stuck the injured finger into her mouth. Abbington had left over an hour ago, leaving her bloody and beaten on the floor. Her back ached with every movement.

She could feel the dried blood tug against her skin as she tried the door again, but it was to no avail. She was locked in. With an anguished groan, she slid to the floor, her muscles quivering with fatigue and pain. The Baron had made sure to not hurt her face too badly, but her back was raw. He had lashed her until she fainted. The floor was sticky with her blood. Tears ran down her swollen face and dripped onto the ruined dress below.

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The main house was dark as Elric stalked around it. He assumed that they were keeping her in the barn where they had held her before, and he had noticed two guards earlier. He did not think that they would respect his title while he was alone. That was just as well, he thought as his