Four days earlier...

Svetlana struggled with all her might, twisting her arms, trying to break free from the grip of the man who dragged her like a sack of meat. Indignation boiled in her chest; every heartbeat was a punch of rage that pushed her to keep resisting. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that they punished her when all she had done was defend herself.

“Let me go, you damn fool!” she growled, digging her nails into her captor’s wrist.

He didn’t even flinch. With humiliating ease, he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off the ground. Her feet kicked at the air as he carried her effortlessly down the shadowy corridor.

The path to the dungeons stretched out in silent torment. Each step echoed against the stone walls, the dry thud of the man’s boots a grim omen. A cold sweat ran down her neck. What awaited her down there?

A chill ran down her spine as they descended the last steps and the dampness wrapped around her like a funeral embrace. The air was thick with a rancid stenc