Page 96 of Glimmer in the Darkness

“It’s okay.” Cassidy kept her voice so low that she wondered if Ella could hear it. “My name is Cassidy. I’m going to get you out of here.”

The girl’s gaze flicked to the cavern opening.

“Ella, right?”

The child nodded.

“There’s another way out.” Cassidy pointed to the back, though the opening was hidden from there. “It’s how I got in. I’m going to get that off your foot, and we’re going to crawl out. Okay?”

Again, Ella nodded.

Cassidy set her back on the blanket, realizing then that it wasn’t just a blanket but that there was padding beneath it. It was actually soft. Better than the cold stone she and Hallie had suffered.

Well, mostly her. Hallie had stayed on her lap most of the time. Her sweet little body had been so warm. She’d been so trusting, looking at Cassidy just like Ella was now.

Father, please, please.

She couldn’t lose another little girl.

Shaking off the fear, she focused on the cuff that kept the girl chained to the anvil. Made of thick leather, it was padded on the inside, but not well. Ella’s skin was scraped raw. The metal clasp opened with a key. She looked around, hoping the key was nearby.

There was a cooler, but that was close enough for Ella to reach.

There was a bucket. Cassidy didn’t look inside it, figuring it was where the strong scent of urine came from. At least Ella had had a place to relieve herself. Cassidy and Hallie’d just had to hold it until the kidnapper returned.

“Does he keep the key here?”

Ella shook her head.

“You’re sure?”

She whispered, “In his pocket.”

Figured.

She found the knife. James was a genius.

She prayed a quick, Don’t let me hurt her. Or accidentally slit my wrist. Hoping to avoid cutting the girl’s raw skin, she set to work trying to force open the lock.

Thirty seconds of that and she admitted she’d make a terrible thief.

Okay, plan B. She slid the knife between Ella’s leg and the cuff and started sawing.

It was working, slowly.

Ella’s eyes were scrunched up, her lips trembling.

“Am I hurting you?” Cassidy whispered.

“Get it off.”

A minute, two, and she’d hardly made a slit.

Lord, keep the men out there until we can escape. Then, help me figure out where to hide Ella. And how to warn James.

Chapter Thirty-Three

James resisted the urge to look for Cassidy. Was she where he’d left her? Was she safe?