47

Draven's pov

The cold iron of the chair bit into my back as the ropes cut off circulation in my wrists. Blood crusted along my lip, dried from the last hit they gave me,more for sport than interrogation. But I stayed silent. I've taken worse.

The room was dim, the air stinking of oil and mildew. One overhead bulb flickered like it too was barely holding on. I took a slow breath, forcing my heartbeat to calm. Panic was a luxury I couldn't afford,not here, not now.

I wasn't afraid of pain. I was afraid of what they might do to Kira. To Eira.

And to the empire I built with my bare hands.

"Finally awake," a voice sneered from the shadows. One of the guards stepped forward, cocky, knife spinning in his fingers. "Thought we'd have to splash cold water on that smug face."

I smirked, blood coating my teeth. "Didn't want to miss your stunning personality."

His fist flew. I let it land. I needed them to think I was broken. That I'd give up.