She motioned for me to join her on the sparring mat. For a split second I wavered. My eyes shot to the only exit out of the room where Silas stood watching with his arms crossed, if I tried to run he would stop me. I could still feel the healed wounds from the last time I had refused to obey brand my back.

There wasn't much of a choice. I walked slowly to stand across from her as her hand tightened on the knife.

I swallowed as my gaze fixed on the sharp edge of the knife. All I could do was hope that whatever happened next was quick.

“You're scared.” Eve cocked her head to the side as she studied me. “You will learn not to fear.”

She moved closer and I fought every instinct I had to keep still. Curling my hands into fists I stood unmoving waiting for her to inflict pain.

She moved so quickly I felt the searing pain in my shoulder before I realized she had thrown the knife at me.

I gasped as I looked to find the knife she had been holding only a few seconds before embedded in my shoulder. The pain was indescribable.

“Take it out.” I heard the instruction issued by Eve but I continued to stare at the knife gasping as I fought the pain.

“Now,” Eve commanded.

I knew what would happen if I defied her. More pain. It would be the same outcome if I followed her command. Either way, there would be pain. There was no escape.

Tears of pain gathered in my eyes distorting my vision as I gripped the knife. It hurt so bad. I gritted my teeth as I pulled the knife out with a gasp. Blood gushed from the wound as soon as the sharp object was gone.

I dropped the knife on the ground and clamped my hand to the wound to stop the bleeding. The pressure of my hand on the wound hurt more than the stabbing. I squeezed my eyes shut and a few tears slid down my face. There would be no sympathy from the people surrounding me.

“Good,” Eve purred and I reopened my eyes.

Please let it be over. I prayed. I couldn't take anymore.

She picked up the discarded knife and offered it to me again.

I frowned as I stared at the object, not wanting anything to do with it or this training. I was being pushed to my limit.

“Take it.”

My nightmare was going to continue.

I trembled as I tried to reach for the weapon. My throat burned when my fingers wrapped around the handle tentatively at first. Then she released the knife and I held it tighter in my hand. My blood dripped from my hand still pressed to the wound.

I swear her mouth tilted into a barely there smile as if my pain gave her enjoyment. It was sick. My stomach turned but I refused to allow the disgust to reach my expression.

To survive I had to be strong, and not reveal my weaknesses.

“Stab yourself.” Her command shook me and her unwavering stare told me she was deadly serious.

I frowned, struggling to comprehend what she was ordering me to. The weight of the knife felt heavier than before.

“It will build resistance to fear…and pain,” she murmured watching me with a fascination I could only liken to that of a scientist and a lab rat. “It's time to let go of your human fears, they will only hinder your ability to do your job.”

I swallowed the fear and I gripped the knife so hard to avert my focus from my shoulder to the knife. I felt everyone watching me to see my reaction. After the last time I had failed to follow an order I was sure everyone expected me to chicken out.

My instinct fought against what I was contemplating. Just the thought of being ‘punished’ again was enough for me to tip the scales and find the determination to obey her command.

I refused to look at Silas as I forced my trembling hand to press the end of the knife. I held my breath before I shoved it into my already injured shoulder before I could back out. Pain exploded, I hissed as it tore into my flesh only inches from the last wound that was still bleeding.

The pain was immense. Overwhelming and my knees wobbled. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, tears escaped out the sides.

My vision blurred when I reopened them.

“Good.” Her approval was clear in her voice.

I didn't care. All I could think about was the pain. It throbbed and made it difficult to breathe. Every cell of my body was acutely tuned into my agony.

“Take it out,” she instructed.

I glanced down to the weapon still embedded in me and knew I didn't have the strength or courage to do it.

I was going to fail and the thought of what lay ahead was too terrible to comprehend. My lip wobbled as I fought the burn in my throat. There was no way out, no escape.

My eyes moved to Silas. He would see the defeat in my eyes. There was no hiding it. He wouldn't help me. His cold gaze held mine unwavering and I couldn't look away. Would he punish me this time as well? Memories of me begging him to end it for me flashed in my mind. Or would it be the cruel Eve who had the honors inflict it this time round?

“Avery,” Eve prompted me pulling my attentions away from my dark tormentor.

I swallowed. My hand moved slightly and I felt the renewed sharp pain. My blood dampened my shirt and ran down my leg. A small pool of blood began to form at my feet.

“You're taking too long.” Her words were light but I wasn't fooled. I could see the deadliness inside of her. The lack of real emotion was still frightening, despite what I knew they were capable of.

“Uh I…” I tried to say but suddenly my mouth was so dry.

I thought about the parents I was trying to protect. I didn’t want this harsh world to touch them and that was the only way I found the strength to grip the handle and tugged the knife free from my shoulder with a gasp of pain that echoed through the room.

I dropped it unable to even consider using it again.

“That wasn’t so bad,” Eve said lightly.

I pressed my hand to try and cover both wounds. Please let it be over. I prayed unable to even consider continuing.

Eve turned to the other Sires and I saw the fear I had felt in their eyes. She walked the line of them before focusing her attention back on me and I felt a shiver of true fear when she slowly walked back to me with the knife clutched tightly in her hand.

It wasn’t over. The dread rose up in me and I wanted to run and hide.

For a moment I thought about my parents. The image was clear in my mind right down to the fine winkles in their faces. No matter what I had to protect them. My life was over but I wouldn’t allow this cruelty to touch them.

I straightened up and faced Eve with only the fear that there was more pain to come. She raised the knife and was about to stab me with it when a hand stopped hers. It closed around her wrist.

“Silas,” Eve said, surprised at his interruption.

“It’s enough.” There was a determined finality to his voice.

I was dumbfounded, my mouth opened slightly in shock.

“I say when it’s enough,” Eve argued, clearing not pleased with his interruption.

They stared at each other for a few moments, a silent battle of wills, before Eve took a step back and Silas released his hold on her.

I swallowed trying to figure out why someone who had tormented me would stop Eve from continuing.

“Go to medical,” Silas said, dismissing me without looking back to me.

I left as quickly as I could for fear Eve would change her mind and continue.