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As his eyes set on Fiona, she sprinted into the daylight. I had never seen such fear in her. Her skin began to bake, the smell of burnt flesh tickling my nose. Smoke curled from her skin as if cooking from the inside out. She couldn’t run as fast in the sunlight, so it wasn’t long before the ancient had her by her hair, dragging her back inside.
He dragged her up to Edward’s throne, her burnt flesh tearing as it slid against the tiled flooring. Pieces of it pulled off like salami as she thrashed under his hold.
“You.” He dropped her once he plunged into the seat, letting his feet kick up on the armrests. “Are becoming very tiresome for me. I thought we agreed you’d come here to discuss things with Edward. I know the plans changed once you called to let us know that you somehow found her, but you said you and her would wait here until I arrived to pick her up.”
“He wanted to bring her himself! To prove his worth to you and Azrael!” She begged, smoke pluming from her as if a fire had been suddenly put out. The fleshy smell of her skin peeling off filled the room so much that I had to clench my nose with my hands to keep from inhaling more.
He seemed unconvinced, letting his feet down and standingback up as if he couldn’t sit still. He began to circle Fiona, kicking her like he was playing with his food.
“I don’t like games. I don’t like wasting my time. And trust me when I say fearing me is the least of your concerns. My brother isn’t as forgiving as I am.” He let his boot dig into her belly, the spurs of it spiraling from the motion. “And he isn’t going to be happy that not only is she not here, but that you didn’t kill the ones you were supposed to and killed the clean-up guy instead.” His finger pointed to Jimmy’s body.
And with him distracted with Fiona, I could work on escaping. Or at least, without eyes on me as I searched the bars surrounding me.
Finally feeling the last iron bar, I felt the bottom crumble as I shook it, the dust from the rust sprinkling onto the floor beneath. It looked as if the bottom of this cage was beginning to rust out on this side, my holy grail, as I let my bare feet dig into it, hoping to push it loose.
It wassomething,at least.
But with each tug, the sound of metal on metal seemed to vibrate loudly into the room.
“So, you sent Fiona to kill me because you were incapable of doing so yourself?” I taunted him, hoping that my voice was louder than the metal bars cracking from my hold.
“Oh, I think it was fairly obvious to everyone that day that I could kill you easily if I wanted to.” He said, turning to me with a smile.
“So I was right in thinking you let me live.” My head tilted in acknowledgment.
He laughed in response. “Lucky for me, those aren’t the rules anymore.”
“Rules? So you’re a lackey just like Fiona, then.” I teasedfurther. “A little bitch of Azrael’s.”
He growled, teeth gritting in anger. “No, He’s my brother. I respect what he advises.”
“Well, I don’t tellmybrother what to do. It sounds a lot like he doesn’t actually respect you. You’d think you being as old as you are, you wouldn’t be as dumb.” That wasn’t entirely accurate. On more than one occasion, I had told my brotherexactlywhat to do. But he didn’t need to know that.
I just needed time.
Time to distract him and keep him talking.
I’m sure Fiona appreciated it. Not that I cared much for her wellbeing. From the corner of my eye, I could see her trying to fix herself, the skin on her body slowly regenerating. Flesh pulling back together flesh.
“Dumb? You think I’m dumb,boy?” His brow furrowed downward as his lips pulled back, revealing his clenched teeth.
“Well, I don’t think you’re particularly smart. Whyisyour brother sending you anyway? Surprised he doesn’t want to come himself, given you failed him last time.” I could almost see the fumes from his ears, and it took everything in me not to smile at the thought.
“I didnotfail him.” He growled, eyes glaring at me with a look I was all but pleased with.
“Well, she’s not here, which means you failed him… again. You’re kind of a terrible brother. Useless really. What does he need you for if you can’t do anything he asks correctly?” I felt my heart fasten as I tried to make sure none of the dust I created from the serrated bar was sifting over his eyes.
I could feel it about to loosen, feel it about to break free. The cage shifted to the right as if losing balance slightly from the lack of support. A few chains overhead clacked as theyattempted to level out my weight, and that was when he finally realized what I was doing.
“You’re trying to escape?” He almost laughed at his misfortune.
“Well, it took you long enough. I suppose you’re even dumber than I thought, considering I half expected you to find out before… this.” My hand freed the bar finally, leaving me enough room to wiggle through and drop to the floor.
My bare feet slid across the tile as he looked at me with wide, wild eyes. He was almost stiff with anger now, brows twitching at the sight of me.
“You think you can beat me? You think you can beat anancient?” His voice rumbled deeply as pieces of his face began to fall apart. His skin crumbled like stale bread, revealing flesh along his smile as his eyes sunk deeply into his skin. “I’d like to see you try.” His voice rippled across the room eerily.
I took a breath, inhaling what might have been my last breath ever. But I didn’t care. I needed to get Freya back. Needed to get my mother back.
