"Not really, no." He grinned. "What's your name?"
"Diar."
Casting one final glance down the hall, he walked to the bars separating us. "Do you have a husband to come get you?"
"No," I said. "A father, but that'll take a while."
"Good." He dug into his sleeve and pulled out a metal pin. "Help me break out, then."
Standing, I walked to my cell door and peered down the dim hall. This wasn't Kentoro's main dungeon. They probably used these cells for petty criminals who'd be set free.
I'd only heard one pair of boots rap on these floors.
Wasting away down here until Father came to collect me wasn't an option. I had not risked escaping only to be caught and dragged back.
"Keep an eye out," the rogue whispered, fitting the pick into his lock.
"Give me your name first," I whispered.
"Ferris."
"Are you one of the Aenir lords?"
"The hair didn't give it away?" He pointed to his steel curls.
"No, I mean—" Huffing, I changed topics. "Where did they put my sword?"
"I have an idea." He clicked open his cell and carefully pushed it ajar, flinching with every creak.
He moved in front of my cell and set about unlocking it. My eyes drifted to his bare wrists, remembering the strange vision we'd been plunged into upon touching.
Would it happen again if I reached out to him?
His emerald eyes landed on my hands as he worked. Shaking his head, he pulled the lockpick out and dragged my door open.
"Your carriage is here, my lady," he said, dipping his head.
The rumor that all Aenir men were loud and insincere was true. Rolling my shoulders, I followed him outside.
"Distract the guard," I whispered. "I'll knock him out."
Ferris looked me up and down, brows shooting up. "Are you sure you're from Muirashi?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Saints, woman. Do you live in a cave?"
"No, why?
Ferris blinked at me, then chuckled. "Alright. I have to see this." Tilting his head, he motioned me to follow.
Flexing my wrists, I tiptoed down the hall, watching the shadow covering the cell block's exit. Ferris pressed himself against the wall, and I moved to the doorway's other side.
Akemi had trained me to fight with blades and bow. I could do this.
Grabbing a loose stone from the jagged floor, Ferris tossed it through the archway. The sound of a dozing man abruptly rousing followed its gentle plinks across the floor.
The shadow grew into a man as he walked into the cell block, rubbing his eyes. Lunging at him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a chokehold, cutting off his airway and the yell he tried to voice.
