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“Wakey, wakey, Miller Nash.”
A huge bloke with smoky black hair, shards of gray glass for irises, and bulky muscle leaned against the door of the cell. He wasn’t all piss and wind. Not a gym rat. Looked like he got his muscle the old-fashioned way. By using his fists to take down bigger guys.
Miller rolled toward the wall, gritting his teeth when pain rocketed through him. “Sod off.”
The supe laughed. “Good to keep a sense of humor. I’m Roark. Hear you gave your taggers a tough challenge.”
“I hope they feel worse than I do.”
“We heal fast.”
Cracking a lid, Miller faced the guy who didn’t seem likely to stop talking. “Too bad. Do you want anything or are you just here to bust my gooseberries?”
“I want nothing yet. I thought it was time to meet the star prisoner.”
“I’d say nice to meet you, but I’d be lying.” Miller pressed hard against his ribs as he swung his feet over the cot to sit. He didn’t like being at a disadvantage with the enemy. “What’s your plan for me?”
“Not sure. I’m not high enough in the Arisen Dawn food chain, but I’d say you’re important. Otherwise, you’d be dead, human.”
“Always glad to be of use. What’s your role?”
“Me? I’m dumb muscle.”
“I think you’re too modest.” Miller figured he wasn’t going to get any info out of this guy.
“Nothing modest about me. I’m a shifter with a lot of attitude.”
“Could I interest you in helping me escape?”
Roark laughed. “In another life I could like you.”
Miller shrugged despite the pain. “Hmm. In this other life, I’d slit your throat.”
“See what I mean? I admire your style.”
He flipped Roark the finger.
“Have you ever been tortured, Miller Nash?”
“Bugger off, mate. Let me sleep.”
Roark shoved a bottle of water through the bars. “Better drink up while you can.”
Miller shuffled over, wrapping a stiff hand around the plastic container. “Drugged?”
The shifter turned his back, laughing, his boots echoing in the corridor. “Stay alive, Miller Nash. You’re in my world now. Who knows? You might consider joining the dark side. Power to Scath and all that shit.”
I doubt it.
Taking a risk, Miller sipped the water. He was thirsty.
****
Cerberus studied the raven shifter while Lort continued with the status update. Roark had the markings of a perfect Arisen Dawn soldier. An evil smirk on his face. The right words. A large dose of aggression. Fighting skills.
Drumming his fingers on the desktop, Cerberus listened to his general.
“The battle at the Sacramento portal was disappointing. The Firebrands and Earther army were ready for us. It was a trap.” Though Lort’s crimson-ringed irises showed all the signs of the bludfrenzy, by some miracle, he had not succumbed to his hunger. Constant access to his human slave must help control his urges.
