Elina

I can't harm her though. That would lead to a fight. And with handcuffs on, it'd be troublesome to handle three witch hunters at the same time.

But there is more than one way to torture a person.

I said, "You can put down that bow and arrow. We both know that it is useless."

Julia breathed in. She breathed out. She didn't move. I assume because instinct told her not to. Told her that my magic is beyond her imagination. Stay still and maybe the lion won't notice you.

But I see and hear everything.

Her heart galloped in her chest. Fear flowed in her veins. Her body wanted to run, but her mind wouldn't allow it.

I said, "Why don't you show me your true form, hmmm?"

She said nothing.

I said, "It wasn't my magic your husband could smell." I licked my lips. Tasted the fear in the air. "But yours."

Julia swallowed. She breathed in. She breathed out. She took a step back.

I said, "If you step out of that door, I'll kill you."

She was young but she was smart. She obeyed.

"Put down your bow and arrow."

Maybe not that smart. She kept the arrow pointed at me. I didn't like that.

I sighed. It's beneath me to show off, but to teach foolish children a lesson, I suppose a little thrashing is needed.

I raised my hands and showed her the gransia handcuffs. "Don't think that these things will keep you safe."

My magic was boiling. Dying to kill. But not yet. Not now. I should savor this situation.

I looked at her bow and arrow. Overpower the gransia handcuffs and let a little magic leak out. Her bow and arrow began to glow with a silver light. I snapped my fingers. They turned to dust.

Julia jumped and opened her mouth to let out a cry.

"Ah-ah-ah! Cry and I'll turn you to dust."

Let's have some fun with her.

The gransia handcuffs sealed most of my magic, but what little I had left was still more than what most other witches had. I let magic come out of every pore of my body, filling the air with tiny silver sparks. These sparks attached to Julia's body. Gently, slowly.

I said, "You know what will happen if you anger me? My magic might get a little hungry."

Her whole body was shaking, there were tears in her eyes, but she stayed quiet.

"Now take a chair and sit across me. I want to take a closer look at you."

She obeyed.

"Now change into your normal form."

A sharp breath. Horror in her eyes. She shook her head vehemently.

"You don't want your husband to see your true form?"

"P-please...no, don't — "

"Why not?"

"Because..."

"He hates witches."

"Y-yes."

"Can you do it? Lie to him your entire life?"

She nodded.

"Why?"

She said nothing. But something in her face changed. The fear was still there, but I saw something else in her eyes. No childish stubbornness, but the hardened determination of a woman.

Hmmm...I like that.

Let's see if I can break her.

I said, "You're frightened of me, no? That's why your husband could smell your magic in here. From the moment you saw me, your body acted on its own. Magic came pouring out of you, filling the air. Ready to fight."

She breathed in. She breathed out.

"What would happen if I told him that it's not my magic. Hmmm? What if I said it is yours?"

I smiled. Let's push her a little farther. "What if I forced out your true form, hmm? Hurt you a little? You'd have to fight back. You wouldn't have a choice. The magic in your veins would burst out on its own."

She shook her head. "Please don't do that."

"But I am not entirely without mercy."

A ray of hope. Let's see if she'll bite.

"You know who I am?" I asked.

She nodded. "Elina."

"And you know the Church wants me?"

"Y-yes..."

"You must have sources in Merkelborough, hmm? Little birds who will sing secrets for the right price."

"Yes..."

I leaned in closer. "Tell me what you know."

In my experience torture rarely works for getting the truth. Because people will say anything to end it. But fear...fear always works. Because fear triggers the instinct to survive. And this instinct will always prize survival over secrets.

So she told me. Everything she knew.

Hmmm...interesting. I'll have to ask Salem what he found out from Syrus Abernathy later.

I said, "You may leave."

Slowly, Julia got up. She stepped towards the door.

I said, "You may want to tell him your secret. Choose the right moment to do it."

She said nothing.

"Do you really think you can lie to him until you die?"

A pause. A drop of silence in the rain.

She said, "Yes."

She slammed the door open. She ordered her husband to get the horse ready. It was time to leave. Now. Her husband was confused. Moments later, they left.

Salem stepped in.

"What did you do to her?" he asked.

A negotiation. A trade. An eye for an eye.