My cheeks are wet, the salty tears stinging my sensitive skin. I draw more air into my lungs, greedily filling them up to the brim. With the exhale, I try to rid myself of those painful memories.
Yet they cling to me, refusing to leave me alone.
I have yet to have any food or water. My throat is scratchy, and there is a pit in my stomach as deep as the darkest trench in the ocean. Yet I’m still alive. Which means, it hasn’t been as long since I arrived here as my mind makes it out to be.
I doubt Caligos brought me here to starve me to death. They want something from me. I just need to figure out what.
And what then?a quiet voice at the back of my head whispers. I swat it away. I don’t want to think about what’s next just yet.
The walls rumble and my heart drops. I’ve been sitting in silence for so long, the sound threatens to overwhelm my senses. I cover my ears with my palms, trying to dull the rumble.
Metal creaks, and then the dark wall in front of me erupts with light. It’s blinding, painfully searing my eyes. With a hiss, I shut my eyes tight and hide my face between my knees.
Steps shuffle around me. Someone’s iron-clad grip locks around both my arms and pulls me up. I thrash against the grip, to no avail.
I’m dragged through my cell, trying to blink away the blinding light. My handler sits me on a hard surface. I can make out the shape of a chair. They secure my wrists to the arms of it, and even bind my ankles to the feet of the chair.
I test the strength of my restraints. They’re tight. No way I can manage to free myself. At least not without a proper meal to fuel my strength.
A tall, broad figure emerges in the middle of the open doorway. As it approaches, my sight finally adjusts to the light.
“I must say, you look awful, Vera D’Argent.” Reizei Talbot, Daegel’s father and the head of the Talbot family, says, eyeing me down his nose. “You’re used to lavish life and royal treatment, aren’t you?”
I don’t answer him.
“Is this how it’s going to go, then?” Reizei cocks his head to the side. Daegel was a stark image of his father. No wonder I detested the young Ezkai that Phoenix fell for. “If you collaborate, this will be much more pleasant for everyone involved.”
I open my mouth to speak, but no sound comes out. I clear my throat and try again, but fail. Reizei gestures for someone behind him, and a heavily tattooed woman steps forward with a copper cup full of water.
She fists the braids at the back of my head and pulls on them. “Open your mouth, whore.”
Before I even do as she says, she pours the fresh, cool water onto my face. I open my mouth, desperate to quench my thirst. It’s too much water too suddenly, so I choke on some.
She lets go of my braids and I lift my head. My chest burns as I cough, gasping for air.
“Now, you were saying.” Reizei waves his hand for me to continue.
Drawing a ragged breath, I manage the words “What do you want from me? Revenge for Daegel’s death? Go ahead, kill me. It won’t bring your son back, though.”
A corner of Reizei’s lips curves up. It’s a chilling smirk that makes my insides twist. He doesn’t look like a father mourning the loss of his son.
“You’re right. Revenge will not bring Daegel back. Neither will it fix the grave mistake he made when he got obsessed with and underestimated that rabid human girl from the barbarian lands who rules our country right now.”
My chest heaves. At least Phoenix is safe. At least one of us made it. Our efforts have not gone to waste. I can only hope she’ll carry out my one request and do her best to pass the law I worked so hard on.
I settle more comfortably into my seat. “Then what is it, Reizei? You want to teach Noire or Phoenix a lesson? Show off your power?”
“I see you’re eager to know my motivation,” he says. He gestures to one of his lapdogs. The Caligos brings a chair and sets it a couple of steps away from me. Reizei lowers himself intohis seat and gets comfortable. “I’m just as eager to know things about you, Vera D’Argent. Or should I call you Savage King?”
I press my lips into a thin line and lift my chin. So, that’s what this is all about. Information.
When I don’t answer him, Reizei huffs a humorless laugh. “For so many years, we hunted the legendary ghost who jeopardized my business. My men had so many theories who it could be…A rival Caligos family. Kitajo’s special unit. Foreign crime gang looking to take over our city and market.” He tsks. Slowly, he leans forward until he rests his elbows on his knees. “Imagine my surprise when I find out that the biggest thorn in my side is a godsdamned General’s whore.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Reizei’s dark eyes flicker with anger. My little operation really pissed him off. I had no clue. To me, all that youth we worked hard to save always seemed insignificant. Like we were barely scratching the surface.
Apparently, it wasn’t as insignificant as I thought. I can’t help the satisfaction that blooms in my chest like the mountain flower after a rainy night. That warm feeling nourishes my soul better than a plate of warm food ever could.
