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There’s a moment of silence as we think, almost unsure of what to do or say next.

‘All right. Here’s the plan. You let me out and we go exploring.’

I give him a deadpan look. ‘Yeah, no. Try again.’

He pouts, looking frustratingly adorable. ‘Worth a shot.’

‘Any ideas that I’ll actually be on board with?’ I look back at him. His hands are still wrapped loosely around the bars, but his eyes are on me. Not hungry, not cruel. Just watching.

‘There are others here. I hear screams. I want you to let me out, and I want to save the others. You won’t be harmed.’

‘I don’t trust you, Theo. I know not to trust a vampire.’

‘I understand your hesitance, I do, but killing you serves me nothing. I want to know more about what’s going on. We can do it together.’

‘I can’t let you out.’

Silence stretches between us. He exhales heavily, hanging his head forward.

‘If you go exploring, there is no way for me to keep you safe while I’m in here. You understand that, right?’

I lift my chin. ‘I can take care of myself.’

‘I’m sure you can.’

I narrow my eyes, sensing his disbelief. Pushing to my feet, I swing my gaze to the dark metal door, wondering how the hell I can get it open. Searching around me, I realise I haven’t thought about how to get myself out of here either, since Jace isn’t here to escort me out like last time.

‘Cupcake?’ he asks, his voice small. ‘Please don’t leave me in this cage forever. Believe it or not, I have friends and family, too.’

I don’t know how to reply to that. My stomach twists at the sadness in his eyes. It’s the first time he has shown any vulnerability. He’s doing a good job of convincing me he’s not a heartless monster, but it’s going to take more than a few words to get me to throw away a lifetime of thinking a certain way about his kind. The only reason I’m listening to him at all is because the people who have told me all the things I know may not be trustworthy after all.

The far end of the cavern looks like any other wall at first glance, but it’s thick, metal and bolted. I run my fingers along the edge. It’s cool to the touch. My nails scrape old rust where hinges used to be. There’s no handle, just a wheel-like mechanism in the centre.

Whatever’s behind it, someone really didn’t want it to get out. Or maybe, they didn’t want anyone getting in.

I brace both hands against the wheel and push. It doesn’t budge. I grit my teeth, plant my feet, and try again. The metal groans faintly, just enough to let me know it can move, but it doesn’t move enough to make it any easier to open.

‘Damn,’ I mutter.

My palms burn. Sweat sticks to my back. A sense of helplessness wells up but I force it down, unwilling to give up so easily.

Theo’s voice echoes softly from behind me. ‘Stuck?’

I glance back. He’s standing, watching me with that half-smile again, like he’s already watched this play out in his mind.

‘It’s sealed tight,’ I mutter. ‘I’m not going to get this open.’

‘I could have told you that.’

Ignoring him, I turn back to the wheel, staring at it. I want to open it, but my own strength isn’t enough. I’m bending low, trying to see if there’s something I can use as a wedge to force it open when I hear voices and footsteps.

Theo hears them too. His posture shifts instantly. He’s tense now, alert. We exchange glances.

‘They’re back,’ he murmurs, long fingers tapping against the bars. ‘What’s your plan, Cupcake?’

Panic spikes in my chest. ‘Shit. I didn’t think—’

‘No time,’ he says quickly. ‘You need to hide. Now. They can’t see you down here with me.’