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“I’m so sorry,” I said. It felt like a stupid thing to say but what else was there? Maya and her sister had obviously been dealt a shitty hand.
“What about you and your friend?” she asked. “You’re clearly not from here.”
“No, we’re not from here,” I confirmed.
She seemed curious by what I said but our conversation was cut short when the boat pulled into a small docking area.
There were several demons waiting. Cronies on Red Armand’s payroll, I guessed. I took Ren’s hand into mine and squeezed tight, hoping we would get through whatever came next so long as we stuck together.
10.
Red Armand’s men came aboard the boat and escorted us all off in single file. I stayed close to Ren, with Maya and Demi just behind us. We walked for ten minutes, all the while being threatened that if we tried to flee we’d be beaten to within an inch of our lives. I well believed the threat given how Ren and I were both knocked over the head.
A bunch of gentlemen we were dealing with, clearly.
Up ahead I spotted tall metal gates and a sense of déjà vu washed over me. I’d seen those gates before. In my dreams. How had I dreamed of this place I’d never been? Was it the mark? Was the connection between me and Vas trying to show me where he was?
The gates opened and we filed in quickly. My heart pounded when I glanced over my shoulder just as the gates were closed, a demon locking them back up. How were we ever going to get back out?
Somewhere between being knocked over the head and being put on the boat, mine and Ren’s backpacks had been confiscated. To my relief, I found that they hadn’t searched my person, too distracted and eager to get the gold rings out of my ears. The bag of dolmens was in my pocket and the dagger Roman gave me was still wedged into the waistband of my jeans. So, I had a weapon that could kill demons. At least I might be able to fight my way out if it came to that, which was lucky since I’d stuffed Roman’s scarf into the backpack. I feared I might never get it back. If I called out to him, would he still hear me without the scarf as a conduit?
A demon shouted at us, ordering us to stand in line. I quickly and quietly translated for Ren, who was glued to my side. A cold sweat trickled over me when the demon began dividing us up. What if Ren and I got separated?
“Which ones are going to the Blaze?” I heard one demon ask and my heart skipped a beat. The Blaze. That was where Carra said Vas and Sven would be!
The demon began walking down the line, picking out people. He selected Maya and Demi but passed over me and Ren. Dammit, we need to be selected. Spotting the demon who’d cut out my earrings, I decided to pick a fight.
“Hey you! Thief! You stole from me,” I shouted and his attention fell on me.
“What are you doing?” Ren whisper hissed.
“We need to get sent to the Blaze. That’s where Carra said Vas and Sven would be,” I whispered back.
His eyes widened in realisation. “Okay, but I’m not sure this is the smartest way to go about it.”
“Too late now,” I said just as the demon reached us, a nasty scowl on his face.
“What did you say to me?” he demanded.
I spat on the ground and shot him a scowl to match his own. “I said you’re nothing but a dirty thief.” I looked around at the other captives. “This man stole my earrings, cut them out while I was unconscious.”
“Shut your mouth,” he hissed.
I levelled him with a challenging look. “Or what?”
“Yeah,” Ren added, stepping up to him, too, even though he had no idea what was being said. I appreciated him for blindly following my lead.
The demon’s eyes slithered from me to Ren. “That’s it! Filipe!” he yelled and the demon who’d been selecting captives for the Blaze turned his head.
“What is it, Yuri?”
“I have two more for the Blaze.”
“I already have enough,” Filipe called back.
“You can add two more. These are trouble makers.” His mean eyes met mine. “They deserve to bake.”
Even though this was what I wanted I still trembled at what he said. I had to go to the Blaze to search for Vas and Sven, but exactly how hot was it going to be down there?
We were hustled onto a large shaft next. I spotted Maya and Demi huddled in a corner and went to join them. There was a constant clank, clank, clanking sound the further down we travelled. If I thought the upper parts of the mine were hot, the heat became even more oppressive as we descended lower and lower. Sweat beaded my skin. My T-shirt and jeans were practically glued to my body.
