Zangard Makes her his Captive

He just controlled her mind? Vanilla hadn’t thought that was possible, but then he was a mage. Her heart race, sweat stuck her clothes to her skin. What else was he capable of? Could he read her thoughts? Did he know she had a dagger? Did he know she was wanted? That there was a bounty for her arrest?

Zangard paced back and forth, while Vanilla was frozen in place. Not magically, she was just too nervous to do or say anything.

Remain seated.

Vanilla looked up at him, trying to disobey and stand, but finding herself physically unable. The effort hurt her legs.

Zangard stopped suddenly, snapping his fingers. His eyes glittered with mischief as he circled around Vanilla, who now trembled at the sound of each footstep. He reached out a hand to gently lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You have shown yourself to be quite the deceiver, Vanilla. But I must say, you do so with a certain flair that I find... intriguing.”

Zangard's lips curled into a sly smile as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. “I think I know just the punishment for a thief like you,” he whispered.

Vanilla's breath quickened as she awaited her fate, her hands shaking in her lap.

“For your lies and deceit, you shall remain my captive until you learn the error of your ways.”

Vanilla let out a cry of shock.

Stand up.

Vanilla immediately stood.

“Now, come with me, let’s get out of here. Don't worry, I don't plan on keeping you here forever," he said with a smirk. "Outside, I'll show you the true meaning of fear and pain."

Zangard climbed the rope to the ruins above, Vanilla behind him.

Follow all of my commands. Do not try to escape or hurt me.

Zangard's eyes never left the path in front of them, focused on where they were going. Vanilla clung to him, her body trembling slightly.

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Oh, but I do," Zangard replied calmly, his voice a stark contrast to her fear. "You see, I've been practicing my magic for years, Vanilla. And I've found that there is no limit to what I can do with it."

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

"We're going to my home city of Octoton," Zangard replied, his voice a mixture of excitement and malice. "And there, you will learn the true power of my magic. I'm going to make you into the perfect prisoner," Zangard said. “Maybe I’ll learn more about you on the way. I hope you don’t lie to me again.”

Vanilla gulped, loud enough for Zangard to hear.