Page 115 of Juniper Unraveling

“So, why didn’t you run, when you had the chance?”

Why didn’t I? It’s the same question that’s been racing through my mind for hours now.

“Because unlike you …” I don’t even know how to answer his question, so I shrug and shake my head. “I should have. I’m stupid, that’s why. If I’d run, I wouldn’t be stuck back in your little harem in the hills.”

“It’s clear you don’t want to be here.”

“Oh, whatever gave you that impression?”

“I’ll return you to the wall myself. Tomorrow morning, we’ll head out.”

My shirt slides down my back, and I kick my head to the side. “Or you could let me go now. Save yourself the gas.”

He pushes to his feet, gathering up the rags and the bowl of whatever concoction he requested from one of the older women in the main cavern. “No. Tomorrow. You need rest.”

“In here? With you? Brilliant. So I get to watch you screw one of your new slaves tonight. Lucky me.”

“No one here is a slave. They come to me willingly.”

“Oh, I’m sure they do. You’ve got a great system of sending Rigs to snatch them up and offer them on a platter. And with Red the guard dog standing by, how could they possibly deny you? What is she, your recruiter? Your own personal cock-stroker?”

“My brother’s wife. She’s only keeping you here because I don’t want you to leave.” After setting the bowl off to the side, he stands with a frown, rubbing the rag across his palm. “You’re the first I’ve wanted to keep.”

“Even more disturbing.”

“Her name’s Leanna.”

“I don’t give a shit what her name is.” I spin back around, facing the wall, irritated by the metal cuffs at my wrists. Again. “I don’t give a shit about any of you. I’ll be counting the minutes until daylight, when I can kiss this nightmare goodbye.”

“Then, how ‘bout you tell me your name? You’re leaving, anyway.”

Head tilted back, I sneer at that. “You want to know my name?”

“Yes. Very much.”

“Good. It’s nice knowing I have something you want, but will never have.”

“You have many things I want. But I’ve no intentions of taking them.”

“And I’ve no intentions of saying anything more to you.” I lie down on the woven mat, facing away from him, and tuck my hands beneath my cheek. “I’ll be up first thing in the morning.”

“If that’s your wish. And as for the child, it would’ve been born infected and craving human meat, just like it’s mother.”

* * *

The grunts and moans tear me from sleep. Just like the night before, Rhys seems to be trapped in some kind of nightmare. Tossing. Turning. Writhing against the blankets.

I sit up to find a blanket has been draped over my body—one I saw in the pile he sleeps on every night. The rain scent has me lifting it to my face, but a flash of him fucking a woman passes through my mind, and I toss it away, kicking it off my body. Women fawn over this man, and no doubt, that blanket’s seen its fair share of body fluids.

Ugh.

Quiet mumbles reach my ears, and I concentrate on them. Words he’s saying in his sleep.

“I luh yi,” he slurs in a drunken sleepy haze. “Ruh. Ruh.”

I listen harder, as his dream seems to be getting more intense.

“Run.”