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“Stop fighting back. She’s enjoying this more than you know and she won’t stop until you do,” Ferran spoke to me.

I studied him, anger still pulsing through me at Liorah’s insults. He raised an eyebrow.

“Of course, I know my place. A lowly human wouldn’t dare command you, but that’s my advice, take it or leave it,” he added with a hint of bitterness.

It was my turn to raise an eyebrow. He sounded insulted. And even a little resigned. As if he was used to this sort of treatment. I recognised that look. Because I had the exact same one years ago. Before I had climbed the ranks to where I was now. Looked down upon. Spat at. Beaten. Sneered at.

I began to open my mouth.

The ground vibrated beneath us. “Now I think it’s time to spice things up a little,” the castle announced.

Liorah said something that sounded like a swear word. In a language I couldn’t understand. That surprised me. I was familiar with every language that had ever been spoken. Looks like I really wasn’t on Earth anymore.

Everyone drew their weapons. A girl with a bow and arrow moved up towards Liorah. I pushed myself into a fighting stance, waiting with baited breath for whatever was about to happen.

Then the ground began to tilt.

I slid downwards roughly. Growling, I attempted to race up away from the gap forming below us. Screams sounded all around me, along with a horrible creaking sound.

I gritted my teeth and drove my fist into the floor, desperately attempting to get a handhold. It knocked uselessly against the surface. I tried again, but my strength was useless against whatever <i>this</i> was.

This could go two ways. I could fall in or jump in. Preferring to take my chances, I leapt into the darkness. Desperation filled my head at the realisation that I couldn’t see a <i>thing</i>.

But I could sense the people who had landed down there. Too late, I found myself slamming into a figure. We both tumbled to the ground. I pushed myself to my feet, just as the lights flashed on.