"It was with a heaviness that Galthas got up and in an unsure step approached his captive. Both observed each other closely. The man’s shakey breathing became faster and louder as Galthas slowly closed the distance between them.

A single creak of the floor was enough to startle the man, and he pushed himself higher up the wall. What he didn’t know was that Glathas’ heart pounded almost as quick. The shaking stranger watched an eyebrow rise upon the single-eyed face, accompanied with another calming gesture.

With great care Galthas kneeled and examined the face he would remember forever – or rather the terror that painted upon it. Much to his discomfort, their gazes locked for a moment. Large, dark eyes contrasted with the captive’s fairly pale complexion. There was a vibe of honesty about him; a pleasant looking fellow. Not old, but also no longer young and foolish.
“What would I give to switch our fates,” Galthas said apologetically after a prolonged moment of dead stillness. “I wish...”

The human mumbled something back.

“Wait,” the creature’s hand rose toward his face, and without making any sudden movements freed his mouth from the reeking gag.

“Please don’t hurt me,” the man exhaled in a broken voice. His eyes shimmering with tears, saliva coating his lips and chin. “Take whatever you want from me. I have money. I have many things, just…just…” and then his sight fell upon the floor.

Galthas regretted letting him speak, he knew the memory would haunt him. He should have done it while the man was knocked out. His mind became burdened by his conscience and filled with fear at the consequences that restrained his appetite, but the creature’s painful hunger was stronger, and it began to claim him.

The longer Galthas waited, the more unbearable it became to look at the human, his figure panicked and jittery. He silenced him with a desperate gesture.

The man whimpered, his sobs and mutters mostly ceasing.

“Spirits save me,” Galthas thought. Not only because he was aware the loss of this battle was imminent, but that his procrastination fueled the emotional torture of his captive...."

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Lately I've been reading through my prequel before I continue the editing in order to check if I like the basic story and if pacing is alright.

Wanted to illustrate some of the emotions the main character is going through. But since I want to get next copyright registration, I can't publish anything too revealing. I'm pretty sure in this case it's enough to illustrate what goes through Galthas' head.

<b>Excerpt, Artwork is © Katarzyna Zalecka
Please Do NOT repost, trace, alter or redistribute or use in any other form, thank you.</b>