"I am safe, I am strong, and my heart knows no fear."

― Paige Vanderbeck, Green Witchcraft: A Practical Guide to Discovering the Magic of Plants, Herbs, Crystals, and Beyond

☽★☾

The cell that Brynn and the others were shoved into was small and dank, a tiny rectangle of space sectioned off by stone walls and a heavy door. The only source of light was from the lantern hanging outside the cell, a dim glow let in by the small barred window in the door. Brynn winced as one of the men harshly stuffed her hands into a pair of manacles. She watched as the others in her group had the same done to them. Emberspark actually had the nerve to curse at one of the guards when they jostled his arm; the redhead let out a yelp seconds later as the man hit him upside the face.

The men finally left the cell, slamming the door shut as they made their exit. Brynn stared at the door, hardly believing what was happening to them. They had just been captured, locked up with no obvious route of escape. What now?

"Moonfall will come for us," A young woman murmured from the corner of the cell. She hadn't been a part of Brynn's group; she must have been one of the three captured earlier. "All we can do is wait. And reveal absolutely nothing when they come to interrogate us." The words left her mouth as a threat.

The cell fell into silence, and even though she was unable to lie down, Brynn felt herself drifting off into a restless sleep. Images flitted through her mind as she dozed, sporadic and out of context. She saw her mother laughing alongside her fiance, her new stepbrother racing down the hill on his skateboard, her new family all together watching a movie... Without her. The dream ―  if that's what this was ―  shifted, and suddenly Brynn was standing beside her father. He had the same tousled red hair as his daughter, except a little grey at the roots. He sent Brynn a wink and disappeared. She reached out for him, but he was already gone. Just as she was beginning to become aware of what was going on in the real world, another face slipped into Brynn's dream, a dark-haired young woman shadowed by a hooded cloak. Brynn barely caught a small glance at the woman's face as she tilted her head to give Brynn a smile. Joan.

Brynn flinched awake, squinting for a moment in the sudden light. A lantern was being held in her face, mere inches from her forehead. The man holding it was broad-shouldered and barrel-bodied. He looked like he was supposed to be a quarterback for a football team, not one of Sebastian's crones. But there was no other explanation; he had to be one of Sebastian's men.

"Alright, alright," The man grumbled impatiently, setting the lantern on the ground for a moment while he searched his pocket for something. His thick hand emerged a moment later with a rusty silver key. "You're going to behave, hm? You've got nowhere to run anyways, sweetheart." Brynn resisted the urge to kick him in the groin as the man unclasped her manacles and held her wrist in a firm grip. He didn't say another word as he tugged Brynn out of the cell and down the dim hall.

The girl wanted to ask him where they were going, but she stayed silent, having a feeling that the man wouldn't enjoy her questions. She tried to study the path they were taking, tried to get a feel for where they were headed and how she might escape if she got the chance. It was useless; the hall was so dark that she could barely see five feet in front of her at a time. 

They finally stopped beside a door similar to all the others, the only difference being a small metal plaque that read 'Negotiations and Bail.' Brynn chewed on the inside of her cheek. While she didn't know exactly what was in store, she had a feeling that this wasn't good. They're gong to interrogate me, she realized hurriedly. That's why they're bringing me here.

"Come in, Brandon," An oily voice called from inside the room as the barrel-chested man pushed the door open. Brynn was shoved down into a wooden chair, arms tied securely by a length of rope. She wriggled in a quick attempt to free herself, but it was about as successful as she'd thought it would be.

"You know, I've always found redheads fascinating," Sebastian began, leaning forwards in his chair and resting his head delicately on top of his hands. His eyes glinted with mischief. "Although it does seem like the perfect color for a witch, doesn't it?"

Brynn shoved her fear deep down inside of her, willing her voice not to shake as she uttered a response. "I'm not... I'm not a witch, sir."

"Sure. You're not a witch," The amusement in his tone made it obvious that he didn't believe her. "Then what were you doing here last night, hm? No good woman would have broken into a prison like you did. So tell me honestly, and perhaps I'll treat you well... Have you been making deals with the devil?"

"No! I― Why would I?" She sputtered, shaking her head. "I promise you, my friends and I are not witches. Please let us go."

Sebastian laughed softly. "Listen, girl. I know there's a group of you out there. I know you're a part of that rebel group. Our encounter last night was enough to prove that. You wouldn't have been so concerned about a couple of witches if you didn't know all about them. Let's cut to the chase, then. Tell me where I can find that leader of yours. The one who goes by the nickname... Hm, is it something along the lines of... Moonfall?" The name upon his lips made a shudder go through Brynn; it felt wrong for him to use that name.

"I'll never tell you anything," Brynn hissed. She glared up at the man, eyes never leaving his despite the fear coursing through her veins, yelling at her to get up and run.

"That would be a mistake," Sebastian growled, tone deadly cold. "I don't think you understand how many things I could do to you to make you regret that. Let's try again." He moved closer, face mere inches from hers. She could smell something sweet but tangy on his breath, perhaps the aftertaste of a mug of beer. "Tell me where to find her."

Brynn clenched her hands, wishing they would stop shaking. She hoped Sebastian couldn't see the panic in her eyes. No. I can't give in so easily. It's going to be okay, Brynn. No, Vixen. I'm Vixen. Vixen isn't scared of shit. She managed to force a smirk onto her lips. "Never."

Anger flashed in Sebastian's gaze. His voice was unnaturally calm as he opened his mouth to continue. "Being stubborn, are you? Now, that won't do you any good. All I'm asking for is some simple information, something that should be readily available. In exchange, I won't lay a hand on you. Do you not understand how generous I'm being? I should be threatening to hang you for this, but instead I'm offering a way out." His tongue flitted out of his mouth, wetting his lips. "So? Where. Is. Moonfall?"

"I told you, Sebastian. I'm not telling you anything," Brynn spat in his face. At first, disgusted shock was the only emotion present in Sebastian's features as he hurriedly wiped at his speckled cheeks. Then he straightened up, the shadows turning his face into a monster's.

"I gave you a chance, girl. If you've made up your mind, then so be it. Because of your stubbornness, you and all your friends are going to be hanged at Gallows Hills tomorrow evening," The man murmured in an indecipherable tone. His lips spread into a wicked smile, and Brynn could do nothing more than suck in a shocked breath as she was pulled out of the room and brought back down the hall to her cell.