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No more.
I surged forward and used the key Atticus had given me to unlock my cage, then quickly moved next door. August was on the ground and Cian was hovering over him. Cian was a towering man with bulging muscles, dark hair, and sharp blue eyes. He was wearing an expensive-looking business suit, and his teeth were bright white as he smiled at me, looking pleased to see me.
“Hello there,” he said, licking his lips. “I was wondering what was taking the queen so long.They said you were resourceful and I should be on my guard. It’s been a while since I’ve met a proper challenge.”
“You’re going to regret this,” I said, my voice steady and even.
“I’m not,” he replied, puffing his chest out proudly. “I’m actually helping him learn a lesson. It’ll give him something to think about when he’s alone in that cell every night.”
“What lesson is that?” I asked. I glanced at the bruised and battered August lying on the floor, and my heart broke. His face was crusted with blood, and his right eye was swollen shut. I shuddered as I thought about what he’d been through.
“The lesson is that Theodore DuPont is in charge,” he replied with a cruel laugh.
I straightened my spine. “I think it’s time you learned a lesson, too,” I said.
He raised a brow. “And what lesson would that be?”
I smirked. “How to bow.”
I lunged forward and barely dodged his first swing, then I gripped his left hand and twisted his arm until the cane fell from his hand. I kicked it off to the side and felt the rush of adrenaline pumping through my veins. His face was twisted into a snarl, and he tried to kick me in the ribs.
I punched him in the groin, and he grunted as he doubled over, then I flipped him forward so he was lying on his face. Slowly, I pressed my foot against his back as I reached down to grab his left hand. He struggled to get up, and I pressed my foot against his neck, keeping him in place.
“I hope you’re not enjoying this as much as I am,” I whispered into his ear, then I yanked his arm as hard as I could. He let out a strangled cry of pain. “Do you enjoy your job, Cian?”
“You’re not a queen,” he choked.
“Christine, stop,” August said. “Don’t do this. We don’t have time to kill him right now. We have to get out of here.” He stood up and staggered slightly but, with a quick shake of his head, was ready to go.
“Yes, we should get out of here,” I said, my voice firm. “Cian is going to help us.”
I felt him shake beneath me, and I cracked a smile. “Is that what you think?” he spat.
“You are going to answer my questions and help us escape.” I pressed my foot on his back until he was almost out of breath, then I reached for the sword strapped to his hip. “Do you understand me?”
“No one escapes the DuPonts,” he growled. “No one.”
“Do you understand me?” I repeated. “I’m going to give you some time to think about it.”
“I’m fine,” August snapped. “Let’s just go.”
“We’re not going anywhere without a plan,” I added, then I leaned down to whisper in Cian’s ear. “You have two options. Choose now or suffer the consequences.”
“Fine. I’ll help you,” he said, his voice thick with disgust.
“Good. Let’s—”
“But you have to get the hell off me first,” he shouted.
I smiled and stepped back, then I took my foot off his neck. “Get up.” He got up and I kept his sword pointed at his chest. “Tell me where Leo is.”
“He’s on his way back here. I was supposed to start torturing him after finishing with Augustus. Mr. DuPont wanted you to hear it all.”
I nodded. “How many guards are escorting him?”
“Four,” Cian spat.
Easy enough. I could take them down.
