them would surely result in my not faring very well.
I watched Saxon approach me. He knelt down beside me and pushed the blade of the knife directly above my carotid artery. Our eyes met for the first time since his visit, and I smiled. He did not. My attention shifted to Persephone as she pulled down on the large wheel in the corner of my cell, releasing the chains that bound me so tightly against the wall.
“Ye can remove the blade,” I barked at Saxon. “Ah dinnae have the strength tae even think o’ fightin’ either o’ ye.”
I heard the sound of Persephone’s heels as she approached us. “Remove it,” she commanded Saxon who obeyed with a nod before he stood up. “You may leave us now,” she finished.
“But, my Queen, the prisoner is still very dangerous. I don’t think it is wise to—” he started.
“Enough!” she interrupted him. “I believe him. He is weak.” Then she grabbed my chin and forced my head upright until I was staring right into her eyes. “Besides, he already admitted his love for the silly girl who previously owned my body. That means he would not have any intention of harming me because she and I are one and the same.” A huge smile appeared on her lips and the expression of victory clouded her eyes. I held myself in check, nearly choking on the sudden urge to smack the smile right off her face. However, I merely returned it politely.
“May Ah remind ye that Donnchadh’s strength grows with every passin’ moment?” I inquired sarcastically. My arms newly freed, I placed my palms on the cold stone ground and pushed myself forward, but only as far as the chains and the soreness of my muscles would allow me. “Nae time like the present.”
Without saying anything, she walked around me until she was facing my back. Then she knelt down and traced the top of the tree tattoo with the pointed edge of the blade. “Is there a particular method in which I should do this?” she asked.
“Donnchadh’s contaminants reside in the lines o’ the tree,” I started.
“Then I should cut only the tattoo?” she interrupted.
“Nae,” I said, shaking my head. “’Twill be easier tae coot down mah back in long strokes, an’ then, coot across. Jist make sure all o’ the tree is included.”
“Very well,” she said with a sigh. She poised the cold tip of the blade at the top middle of my back. Without another word, she pushed down on the blade. The sharp pain was immediate, searing my flesh as the blade sunk into it. When she forced it downward, I had to lurch forward, straining against the chains that still bound my wrists. I gnashed my teeth and clenched my eyes shut tightly, bracing myself against the waves of agony that rode through me.
“Dinnae forgit … tae squeeze the … impurities oot!” I managed between labored breaths.
Suddenly, Donnchadh arose up from within me, his fury so palpable, I could feel it pumping through my veins. He was rebelling, trying to enforce his supremacy over my body before I drove him out. He was surging now, his anger emboldening him and making him stronger, harder than ever to control. I had to fight him; I had to resist him. I clenched my eyes shut tightly and directed all my inner strength against him. I expected the battle with Donnchadh to be all consuming, and now I sincerely doubted whether I had enough power to resist him. I was very aware that I could not suppress him alone.
“Squeeze!” I yelled. I needed Persephone’s assistance. There was no way I could beat Donnchadh back down without her support.
Placing her hands on either side of the wound she had just inflicted, she pushed her fingers together. I immediately felt a bubble of Donnchadh’s poison bursting from inside me, its gelatinous trail dripping down my back. I was momentarily aware of Persephone’s words of disgust, but I was unable to focus on anything except the burning pain.
Her hands descended another six inches or so before she squeezed them together
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