I awoke this time from a chemical stupor. I was in a tent a thin blanket was covering me and I was lying on the ground. I heard movement and looked around. I was Asher he was smiling a self-satisfied smile. “Good morning, Seth” Asher said. “What did you do Asher” I asked him. “I thought that was obvious Seth I am taking what is rightfully mine. I have delt with those interlopers and now i will take you Seth.” He told me about how he interfered with the circle of ward protecting the fort and how he came to the apartment and slit the throats of the two hunters and stabbed Jay. Then he kidnapped be and escape though the escape tunnels while the abominations came into the fort and killed everyone. I asked what he did to Rowan and Sky. He said he lock them in their bedroom so that they could wait for the creatures to find them. I could not mourn for them, and I wanted to but I would not let Asher see me mourn for Jay and the others. After telling me this Asher took a rod metal that looked like a brand. “It is time for me to claim you Seth and this will help” Asher told me. “You cannot claim me Asher I have nothing but contempt and hatred for you Asher” I told him. “I don’t think it will matter” he said. He let me see the symbol and I recognized it a slave bond. “You recognize it, if you will not be mine willingly then you leave me no choice” he said. He heated the metal and placed the brand against my chest on the spot where Jay’s claim mark was still visible. I felt the hot metal against my skin and pain exploded from the point of contact.

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  I faded in and out of consciousness for while the searing and freezing pain radiating from the point of the brand. In the moments of consciousness, I would see Asher staring at me a look of unveiled lust and joy as he watched me suffer. At one point I gave Asher a look of hate and he smiled more “The pain will stop when you give in Seth” he laughed “You can always keep fighting I am enjoying it.” After this I faded back into unconsciousness the only thing that allowed me to keep fighting against the slave bond was the memory of Jay.

  After a while I awoke again the pain was less, but I felt no pull to toward Asher. He looked at me and seemed upset. “You are strong willed to resist the slave bond Seth, but I have plenty of time and we will keep up until you give in” he said. He heated the brand again and pressed it to the same place and I fell into unconsciousness again.

  The next time I came back into consciousness, I heard shouts from outside and then I saw the tent top get ripped away. The giant stared down at me it reached it hand out and grabbed me while I faded back into unconsciousness.