Free The Agrista (Between the Lines Book 1) by Shannon Lamb Page A

reside. Queen Cailene claims that the ladder above the sewage tank is so hot so as to weed out the weaker slaves and strengthen the ones that remain. The truth? She just likes to see them suffer. They’re forced to throw their fallen friends into the vat of filth that they swim through every day, and are never given the chance to mourn their deaths. The showers,” Alex laughed darkly. “They’re a particularly malicious invention of hers, to punish them for their state of filth that she induces! The water is so intensely cold that it burns, causing those weak of heart to fall dead. The pressure of the water is so strong that it rips their flesh and breaks their bones. These kindhearted people didn’t want you to feel the pain and degradation of the showers, so each servant donated a portion of their drinking water so you could take a bath when you arrived,” Alex’s words cut through her. She couldn’t have been more ungrateful when they’d offered her a bath! “The reason the only exit is through the dungeon is because it leads straight back to the castle, ensuring that they’ll never escape and therefore relinquishing any hope that might linger in the back of their minds. Cailene’s goal is to leave them broken and defeated. There’s no end to that woman’s cruelty.” Alex took a minute to regain his composure, and eventually resumed his usual stoic demeanor. She had no idea how he could calm himself so quickly after being so fired up.
      Marie was outraged by Alex’s story. She couldn’t even begin to fathom what these poor people went through every single day of their lives. It was heartbreaking.
      She now understood why Agatha seemed standoffish with her. Marie couldn’t have possibly been any more disrespectful, and now she was absolutely mortified.
      “Gustav should be back by now. He is who we need to see.”
      As if summoned by Alex’s words, Gustav appeared in the doorway, wiping himself off with a large towel. Marie jumped to her feet as he entered the room.
      “You don’t need to stand for me, child,” he smiled kindly.
      Marie zoned out as she studied Gustav strange features. His voice made him sound elderly. He could be, for all she knew. She’d never seen a creature such as him before, and she wasn’t sure what they looked like when they reached old age. The fact that he called her child made her think he might be.
      “You didn’t hear a word I said just now, did you, child?” Gustav chuckled. “Lost in your head, were you? You’re so like your mother. She was a dreamer too.”
      “My mother?” Marie positioned herself on the floor across from Gustav, watching him with rapt attention.
      “I’m sorry, child. I shouldn’t have mentioned her. I’m sure you’re very curious,” Gustav smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “One day, I hope to tell you all about her, but now is not the time. You may not have been caught, but Cailene is no fool. The longer you stay here, the greater your risk of being discovered. Let us get this over with so that you two can be on your way, shall we?”
      Gustav grabbed a small pocketknife from the folds of his robe and slid the blade across his index finger, causing beads of blood to well up at the fresh seam. He straightened his arm and held his hand out flat, letting the blood drain from his finger. Each drop expanded and stretched, pooling in midair as they coalesced to form a three-dimensional rectangle. The obscure shape shone as if it were constructed of thousands of sparkling rubies.
      “Put your hands out flat,” Gustav instructed as he pressed a cloth to his finger, finally allowing the blood to clot.
      Marie hesitantly outstretched her arms. Alex reached over and straightened them out for her in an attempt to reassure her, but his touch had only made her grow more rigid. Gustav grabbed the floating shape, causing it to instantly solidify into a beautiful silver box, and placed it in Marie’s waiting