blackmail

"Shh, shh, be quiet now 'princess', I'm not going to hurt you..." "Please don't do this!" "Hey, hey! I said shut up! I'm not going to hurt you, you're too fucking valuable to have a single mark on your precious skin." *sobbing* "Please just leave me alo-" "I said shut up you fucking bitch!"...

Oban was known for many things: The tall walls that surrounded it, the unforgiving and punishing might of the law, and the diversity of wealth among it's many peoples from slum to palace. Of course, the elite few nobles and royals held all the cards when it came to power and wealth in the city...

"Put your hands on the back of your head." And, louder, the woman said, "Do it!" Night. Stars blotted out by clouds. An ancient dark blanketing Arethil. As it had been before there were beating hearts. As it would be after every heart was dust once more. Anima stood on the dirt path leading to...