“It was unusual,” said Arten. “But Jakoven was firm that we break him. I think we’ve done it. The drugs should be mostly out of his system and he still threw himself into the water that last time. I suppose he might be trying to kill himself, but that flare of magic . . .”

“He was looking for something,” said Jade Eyes, petting my forehead. “Weren’t you, Ward?”

His voice was so soft and soothing, I couldn’t help but reply. “Dragons,” I said, sobbing out the words. “The dragon is gone.”

Arten nodded abruptly. “I’ll be back with Jakoven,” he said. “Amuse yourself until I return at his convenience. Don’t take him back to his cell. I’ll tell Jakoven you’ve managed to re-create the effect you noticed bringing him here. But I think he’s impatient to get on with his plans.” On those words he left me alone with Jade Eyes.

Amuse himself Jade Eyes did. And it was different this time. The knowledge that not even Oreg could get me out had broken some hard core of resistance. The thin veneer, the shadow of my old mask that I wore to protect myself, crumbled completely and there was nothing left to save me. I screamed when the pain flamed through my body, robbing me of all control. I sobbed for it to stop, then sobbed and shook when it did and the pain was replaced by caressing hands. I wished fervently for the pain rather than the sure knowledge that it would begin again, and over and over I received my wish.

It was during one of the “rest” periods that Jakoven finally came. I didn’t hear him enter, didn’t notice him until he struck me lightly on the face.

“Ah, Ward, my boy. Good to see you,” he said.

I stared at him blankly, far past worrying about the newly familiar smells that accompanied Jade Eyes entertainments: feces and urine, blood and sweat. Nor was I concerned about the tears that continued to slide down my cheeks, though I was aware that all of these things would once have embarrassed me—especially the tears.

“Hurogs don’t cry.”It was not my inner voice who spoke, but an older one. It took me a moment to remember that my father was dead and I didn’t need to hate him anymore.

I think Jakoven thought the heat in my eyes was directed at him, not realizing I was almost beyond recognizing who he was.

“Do you know why you are here?”

No,I thought. “Hurog,” I said in a voice so hoarse and deep that it must have been difficult to understand. Then the tissues of my throat, swollen from screaming, closed up, and I couldn’t utter another word.

Jakoven looked away from me and said, “Leave us. Stay, Jade Eyes.”