Ren didn't quite know what to expect when she was invited to the Lord's estate one gloomy evening. The mysterious invitation had been passed from hand to hand until it had reached her, and from the sight of the unbroken seal, it seemed no one was brave enough to take a peak at the letter.

Come to the estate at midnight. Wear something nice.

The halfling could almost hear the Lord's haughty tone as she read the letter. Yet her heart skirted with hidden excitement, for their promise had been made. Now, what would he ask of her? Ren was quite perplexed. She already gave up her body to the Lord to use as he pleased, wasn't that enough of a sacrifice?

"Ren, don't go."

Saun's voice interrupted her thoughts. Ren looked up at her friend's concerned expression.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Saun spoke again as Ren put a cloak over her shoulders to protect herself from the chill. Her favourite dagger was seathed in her belt, hidden by the cloak. She had decided to wear a simple off the shoulder white dress, one she had bought in one of  Gharnadul's markets for a steep price. The fabric reached her knees, giving decent coverage. It was the best from the small number of clothes Ren owned.

Was it nice enough for the occasion? Probably not. But it was the only option she had.
"Saun, you don't need to worry about me. It's just Lord Sargdon. I can deal with him," Ren said, smiling. She placed a comforting hand on the demon's shoulder, and then headed to the stables.

As she rode through the night, a weird sensation of being watched overcame but she brushed it off. She had to prepare to act right in front of the Lord.

Ren reached the large gates, seeing them already open. She got off Lyra's back and began to walk inside. However the horse's restless behaviour drew her attention.

Lyra huffed and stomped her feet, refusing to walk any further into the path.

"Lyra, girl, what's wrong?"

Ren didn't have time to find out as suddenly a bag was thrown over her head, choking her.

Her hand instinctively moved to grab her dagger and Ren twisted, delivering a slash at the figure behind her, making it groan in pain. Something sharp pierced her neck and before the halfling could struggle more she felt her strength abandoning her.

The world around her turned black, and her knees failed.

~<~>~

When Ren awoke, she had no idea what awaited her. She could feel herself laying on something hard,  her whole body bound on it by chains. Trying to summon fire to her hands, Ren found it impossible. The chains had most probably been enchanted. The bag still covered her head, making it impossible to see around her.

Ren inhaled deeply, her mouth dry from fear.

"You bastards!" she screamed, her voice echoing around the room. No one answered back.

"Where are you?!" Ren screamed again, this time growing restless. "Come out!"

Her heart was racing as her mind tried to figure out what had happened.

Ren suddenly picked up on sounds that seemed to come out of the room she was in. Someone was speaking, yet she couldn't make out what they were saying.

Ren inhaled and yelled again. "The Gods will have no mercy on you, you bastards!"

The speaking stopped for a moment, before laughter was heard.

"What are you laughing about?!" Ren screamed, enraged now. Yet it was her fear too that made her scream out like that. Multiple steps reached her ears. Her captors were drawing closer. Ren held her breath.

"What a noisy surprise, Lord Sargdon," a voice taunted.

Ren froze.

"Yes, she has quite a mouth," another spoke. Then the voice she knew so well was heard.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Ren."

The bag was ripped off her head and Ren could finally see. But the sight made her wish she couldn't again.

She was tied onto a table, multiple demons sitting around her, eyeing her with hungry gazes. Lord Sargdon stood over her, an amused expression on his face.

Ren stared back at him, her eyes almost carrying a feeling of betrayal. She breathed shakily before speaking.

"Lord Sargdon, what is the meaning of this?" Ren asked, hating how her voice trembled with each word. The demon chuckled and caressed her face, before gripping it harshly.

"I thought about it, and realized that a precious treasure shouldn't just be kept for one's eyes. It should be shared, with care of course."

"This is care?!" Ren yelled out in anger, eyeing the chains over her body. A hard slap to her face made her cry in pain.

"You should be grateful I didn't gag you, Ren. Speaking is a privilege."

The halfling felt all the blood rise to her face and balled her fists. "You will regret this, " she seethed.

Laughter was heard all around the table.

"But it was you who agreed to this, don't you remember?" Lord Sargdon faked a concerned tone as he leaned down towards her. Ren stared at him in confusion, before her eyes widened in realization. She had promised to give him more, indeed.

And now apart from her body she would have to give up her dignity.

Ren struggled not to let her eyes water in front of the demons, swallowing her tears with difficulty. One look at them was enough to recognize some of the most esteemed Lords and Ladies of Gharnadul.

"You disgust me," Ren spat venomously. She couldn't lie to herself anymore, she was scared out of her mind. Her heart was racing, her limbs shaking against the chains. Would they kill her?

As if reading her thoughts, Lord Sargdon spoke up. "We won't make any permanent damage... we just want a taste of what you've been giving me until now."

And with that he sat at the head of the table, nodding at the rest of the demons.

"I'll go first," one of the Ladies said, getting up. Ren narrowed her eyes at the creature, taking in her appearance. Her skin was a dull blue colour, runes littering her arms that ended in webbed fingers with sharp nails.

Ren shivered in disgust as the Lady's fingers brushed against her bare skin, over her heart. "I am Lady Seira," she said, her nails digging into Ren's skin. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ren."

"I can't say the same," the halfling said through gritted teeth, seeing the Lady lean into her neck and inhaling deeply.

Lady Seira chuckled and pulled away. "She's got the stench of a human, and the softness of one."

"I want to touch her too," another demon growled at Seira, who grimaced and sunk back in her seat.

Ren cried out in surprise as his claws ripped her dress, leaving her shivering on top of the table. Her cries turned into one's of pain as the Lord scratched her chest, hard enough to draw blood. He brought his hand to his lips, licking the blood and groaning in pleasure.

Ren glared at him as tears formed in her eyes, making her vision blurred. She struggled madly against the chains, whimpering when she felt rough lips against her own. The unwanted kiss almost made her vomit.

Three horrid hours letter, Ren's eyes had ran dry. Her whole body was littered with scars and bite marks, her dress ripped into nothing but bloody rags. Each harrowing minute seemed to drag on forever.

Seira, Marlowe, Laiken, Shar, Noelani, Kae.

The names of her captors she'd never forget. And the monster responsible for all of this, Lord Sargdon. Ren kept her eyes tightly shut as one by one, the chains around her body disappeared. She sobbed quietly, bringing her hands to cover her body.

"Take this," Lord Sargdon said, dropping her cloak on her shoulders. He slowly helped her get off the table, tilting her head up. Suddenly he embraced her and Ren broke down, crying loudly into his arms.

"Shh," he whispered into her ear. "You did so well today. I'll keep my promise. I'll also let the General know about you. See? This is all for you."

Ren nodded through tears. "I've got to get back," she whimpered. Wrapping the cloak tight around her body, she limped outside to find Lyra still waiting for her.

When she pushed the door of the barracks open, all conversation between the demons ceased.

Half-naked and covered in blood, Ren stared back at her companions with empty eyes.

"Gods above," Saun whispered and rushed to Ren's side, holding her up gently. The demon helped her get to her bed and laid her down.

"I'm going to be sick," Ren whispered as she closed her eyes. The darkness comforted her while she slipped out of consciousness, leaving Saun to panic over her body.