He was savoring her suffering. She saw the look in his eyes, a flash of malice and arrogance wrapped up into one - a look fitting of a Geslack snake.<br/><br/>She wanted to kill him, to bring down the blade of her rapier and lodge it into his throat so he could choke and sputter on blood like Astor and Alvina had on the night of their nameday. She wanted him to suffer, but even her iron-will couldn't free her from the precarious position she was in. The Geslack snake had her pinned down and was running his filthy tongue across her wounds. It was sickening and Lyra could only shut her eyes as she waited for the torment to end. He strength had failed her, his veil had robbed her of it and even a direct punch to his awfully smug face did little to faze or move him. She was out of options really.<br/><br/>She would die with dignity. That was what she told herself when he smiled down on her like a creature of nightmares. She wouldn't beg or cry. She wouldn't give him that satisfaction. She was Bremmington.<i> Ice in our veins. Ice in our veins. </i>She recited the words like prayer when he pushed his fingers into her and when pain flared all over like a fire. She wasn't immune to pain, it showed on her face, but she was holding onto composure like it was her shield. Ice in our veins. There was some truth there.<br/><br/>Even when Geslack snake announced her fate, she didn't crack. "House Bremmington will notice if I go missing." She was the only daughter in a house of admiral and navy brothers. "You think they won't suspect you? They'll come for you Geslack, believe me they will. When they do, it won't be pretty." She spoke in harsh tones to mask the insecurity and fear that had already taken root inside her. Her magic had always been her shield, something she'd harnessed since she was a child. He'd taken that away in an instant, how could she be so sure he wouldn't take anything else away? She couldn't be sure, she could only play the tough-talking girl to ease her worries. "They'll come for you." It became impossible to talk after that. The last remnants of her strength left her, and she found herself wheezing to so much as breathe. As the last of her strength left her and as he took her over the threshold, Lyra finally felt the terror sinking in.