No, Eithan was doing this for the sole purpose of feeding his sick, twisted desires. And by what Trey had heard around him in the neighboring cells, he wasn’t the only one Eithan played with.

Footsteps brought him out of his thoughts, and his heart sped up, the throbbing in his head increasing. He couldn’t control the instantaneous reaction. Every time he heard those steps, he ended up bleeding and screaming.

In his fantasy world where he survived this, he’d never again be able to hear the clicking of boots on stone without flinching—without expecting pain. He was conditioned for life.

A voice broke the silence, causing his stomach to twist, and bile climbed up his throat.

“I see you’re finally awake.”

Trey ignored him, continuing to stare down at the floor. He began counting the stones, desperate for anything to keep him from shaking like a weak ass leaf.

Eithan clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth like he was disciplining an ornery child. “You know, Gibson, all this will end if you just tell me what I want to know.”

Trey seethed. Liar. He’d already told him more than he’d have ever willingly done had he been in his right mind, and Eithan had never stopped.

They’re mates!

The traitorous words had spewed out of him during one of their last “playtimes” and there was no taking them back.

He hated the stab of betrayal he felt for it. The guilt. He shouldn’t feel anything regarding what he’d revealed about Vera. She’d practically admitted it herself when she’d defended Jaren that day.

And honestly, if he really wanted to, he could blame his entire predicament on her. She was the one who should feel guilty, not him.

If she’d never run off, or even if she just hadn’t fought him about returning, he wouldn’t be where he was. He’d have both his fucking eyes and still be a proud member of the guard.

He wanted to be angry. He wanted to hate her. But he couldn’t find it in his heart to feel either.

Maybe he had at first, but after seeing more of Eithan’s true nature, he felt nothing but relief that she’d escaped. He couldn’t imagine what it’d be like to be this monster’s wife.

What he might enjoy in the bedroom.

“I already told you everything I know,” he finally said, unable to scrounge up the energy to lift his head. He just continued staring at the floor, watching the rippling reflection beneath him.

Eithan’s tongue flicked against the roof of his mouth again, followed by the jangling of keys and the screech of hinges.

An involuntary shudder shot through him, and he bit down hard on his tongue, hating how quickly the bastard had programmed fear into his body. It no longer felt like his.

“I don’t believe you, Gibson,” Eithan said, his voice closer than it’d been before. “You traveled with them for days, and we both know she trusted you. I want to know more about the soul bond you said she has with the Magyki.”