Bearclaw Valley the masque of the red death

she doesn't like the look in her father's eyes. it passes. . .but it was there, nonetheless. for the first time, she feels genuine fear of him, and drops her gaze, nodding fervently. 

no. she doesn't understand. but she knows that if she does not comply, she may face the same wrath she's seen Merrick mete out to others. her stomach twists, flips, clenches tight. the instinct to survive has kicked in. fight or flight — but she can do neither. she must know the truth about Indra.

with a slightly quavering inhale, Avicus looks up again, waiting for him to speak once more.