Page 59 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

If- No, when I save Isla, what next after that? Orthani is no place for her. If I move out and get a palace of our own, she still faces a risk just by being human.

I brush off the thought of the future, redirecting my focus back to the present as I reach the edge of the forest. I rear the equu into a moderately paced run. I hate to do so but I know Calix can hear me coming if I am too reckless.

I close my eyes and make use of my advanced hearing. From the far distance comes the faint screams of Isla, the sound of which sends a shiver down my spine. It’s difficult fighting back the urge to rush forward.

Again, I reduce the equu’s speed to a trot. I cannot afford to give away my position, knowing that if he spots me then he’ll no doubt murder Isla. The time comes for me to dismount as I draw nearer to my destination.

I place my hand on the equu’s head and whisper a hypnosis spell, commanding it to slowly advance on the cabin and wait outside. The animal retreats and busies itself grazing upon the vegetation of the woods.

I must take my time here.

I crouch and begin moving up, rolling between trees and bushes for cover. I keep a cautious eye out for any traps laid by Calix to alert him of my presence. At the same time, I highly doubt he’s even that capable of thinking far.

He likely thinks I’m still in town.

Somehow though, the route leading to the cabin feels different from before. I can’t help but wonder if there’s some magic at play, perhaps an illusion spell casted by Calix to throw me off of my path.

What if he knows I’m coming for her?

Isla’s bloodcurdling scream ripples through the air again, igniting within me the urge to sprint. I almost panic at thinking I may be caught in a loop, but the sight of the cabin in the distance restores my faith.

I need to calm down before my nerves get the better of me.

I crouch low behind a tree, taking a deep breath to gather myself. Ever so slightly, I poke my head around the trunk to get a better look. Outside the cabin is a carriage with a duo of equus geared to the front, no doubt used by Calix to haul Isla in.

In the windows, I spot a figure moving around, too tall to belong to her. A disturbing image of Isla tied to that bloodied bed he keeps here flashes in my mind.

I’m so close now but I can’t be reckless just yet.

I scurry along a path that bends around the side of the cabin, taking advantage of the cover provided by the treeline. I come to a boulder a hundred meters to the right side of the cabin, just out of view of the window.

Quick! Think of a plan! What should I do?

I close my eyes, honing in on the cabin’s interior, I hear Calix chuckling as he throws a set of chains back into his supply cabinet, the grating sounds of metal piercing my ears. Then comes the stomps of his boots on the floor, followed by the whimpers of Isla.

“Stop… Please Calix…” she moans.

“I love hearing you beg like that,” snickers Calix. “But darling, it’s only making me not want to stop!”

There comes the sound of him slapping her across the face, then their strained breaths as she’s held down in place. The unsheathing of a dagger follows.

Fuck, I’m running out of time!

A mixture of anger and fear fills me to the point where I feel my heart is about to stop. The sound of Isla’s flesh being pierced with the knife echoes in my head, followed by the running of the blade along her skin, a sound I’ll never forget for as long as I live.

I take cover behind a tree, this one smaller in size. A quick look around paints a clear picture just how deep into the forest this cabin is. No one can hear Isla’s pleas for help out here.

Calix is too smart in all the wrong things. He knows too well about hiding his tracks and covering up his crimes.

I advance on the cabin, my heart beating incredibly fast as I draw nearer to the entrance. I realize I’ve brought no weapon with me.

If it comes to it, I’ll make use of my fists. His face always seemed like the perfect punching bag.

I hug the side wall, taking my time as I slowly move underneath an apis hive. I then step onto the porch and come to the door.

Here goes nothing.

I kick the entrance open and step in. The first sight that greets me is Isla tied down to the bed, her body bruised and bloodied with several lacerations placed all over her body. She’s been partially stripped, her remaining clothes just barely covering up her private areas.