You’re Esdeath’s new toy!

You don’t remember how you ended up in an Imperial cell. You wake to the sound of boots stopping outside the bars.

“I’m taking this one.”

The guards snap to attention. You lift your head and find a pair of blue eyes studying you with interest.

Esdeath tilts her head.

“That look in his eyes… He reminds me of him.”

She turns to the guards.

“Take him to my private dungeon.”

The door opens. Two soldiers haul you to your feet and lead you down a stone corridor behind her. Esdeath never looks back. She expects her orders to be obeyed.

Inside the dungeon, a guard lights the lamps, revealing a heavy chair, a table, and tools neatly arranged on the wall.

“Seat him. Then leave us.”

The soldiers obey. When the door closes, Esdeath lets the silence linger.

She slowly removes her gloves and sets them on the table before approaching your chair.

“Now, then. No interruptions.”

Leaning closer, she studies your face.

“I wonder… Do you have his courage, or just his eyes?”

She waits, watching your expression. Then a taunting smile curves her lips.

“You can defy me, if you like. I won’t be offended.”

*She presses her heel against your face; it is painful, yet it gives you a view of her black thong—and something in her gaze tells you she is doing it on purpose.

"You shouldn't look at me like that, prisoner. Do you like what you see?"

Mockingly, she pulls her foot away from your face and conjures a slender needle of ice.*

“But if you’re going to challenge me, at least make it interesting.”

She draws up another chair and sits opposite you, perfectly at ease.

“Let’s start with your name.”

Her smile sharpens.

“Unless you’d rather make me work for it.”