Page 54 of Vengeance of the Gods

One year, one month, three weeks, and six days he’d been locked away with only one meal a day. One year, one month, three weeks, and six days of no contact with the outside world.

All he had was himself and the doubts in his head. The voices who told him he’d never get out of here—he’d never see Vega again.

Marlena hadn’t come by in over sixty days, and the last time she had, all she did was stare, provoking Bridger to scream whatever obscenities he could at her.

He reminded her every chance he got that he’d kill her—slit her throat, cut off her extremities one by one. Nothing shook her.

The only noise she’d made was the tsk of her tongue, followed by a disappointed shake of her head.

Then she left, leaving him in silence for another sixty days.

He was allowed to shower once every three days, but when he was escorted out by a guard—who he no longer fought, because what was the point?—not even they spoke to him. Even when it was someone who knew Bridger, who had trained beside him.

It was easy to see how manipulated they’d become, how afraid they were to step out of line.

They had no one to protect them from Marlena.

With his father gone, Tolevarre’s army was in limbo. The people of their world had never been in this kind of danger before.

And instead of helping, instead of protecting the people he was bound to by duty and bloodline, Bridger was locked away for one year, one month, three weeks, and six days with no end in sight.

No one is coming for you.

It got clearer every day.

Bridger had already eaten for the day, so no one else would be coming by. It would be like all the rest of the days.

Sometimes he found the energy to work out—not a real workout, but as close as he could get with the energy he had. He had to keep moving.

Other days he solved math problems in his head to keep his brain working.

A couple times, in his darkest moments, he even prayed for Death to take him.

Today? Well, today… he didn’t feel like doing anything.

The silence was heavy.

Scratch.

Another mark was added on the wall.

Scratch.

And then another.

Scratch.

Four more.

Scratch.

Seven more.

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall on day 435. The click of heels announced her arrival before she appeared.

Marlena looked as beautifully lethal as she always did with her bright lips painted in a smile. “Hello, Bridger.”

The sound of her voice broke a violent need inside him. Words.