He was a warrior from the Southern Plains, a man of fire and blood, captured during the solstice raid. They called him "Top," a name earned for his rank and his unyielding nature. Even now, stripped and bound spread-eagle to the iron beams, his muscles bulged with the effort to break free. Steam rose from his skin, a valiant, futile defiance against the supernatural chill emanating from the Corrupted Priestess.