The Jackal crossed his arms over his chest. “You keep talking like we have these family ties in common. We don’t. So you’re not going to motivate me with that kind of argument.”
“Fine.” She kicked her chin up. “I’m either going to that Wall or heading to the Hub to see if I can find her face in the crowd.”
“The Hive, you mean.”
“Whatever.”
As their eyes clashed, the Jackal felt his blood stir. “You don’t want to go there.”
“I don’t want to be here. For a lot of reasons. But I am where I am.”
After a tense moment, Kane spoke up. “We can wait until the shifts change. There is time during check-out and check-in. We could sneak her through and get back out before anyone notices.”
“Great plan.” The female went over to Kane. “How long until the shifts are over?”
“It has been over a century and a half since I’ve been able to measure anything passing by an hour hand. But it would be a work night.”
“Twelve hours?”
“Or eight. Or ten. But the changeover just occurred, so it will be a full shift.”
“Then I wait. Where do I find you all again?”
The Jackal considered the merits of arguing, but given the grit of that female’s molars and the bow-of-a-tanker thrust of her chin, he was going to get nowhere trying to talk sense into her.
“We will reconvene here,” he said grimly. “And you will stay with me.”
The other males did not fight that, and he wasn’t surprised. Kane was too much of a gentlemale, and as for Lucan? Well, apparently he preferred his courting tackle right where it was.
So the wolven seemed very happy to take his leave with the aristocrat.
The Jackal waited until he heard the whisper-soft sound of the passageway’s exit opening and reclosing. Then he looked over at the female.
She was staring at the unlit fire, and he had a feeling if she knew how much exhaustion was showing on her face, she would have hidden it quick.
She seemed to shake herself back to attention. “I want to get my weapons from your cell. And I’ll stay here alone until you come get me.”
When he didn’t respond, she shook her head. “No, you’re not talking me out of anything.”
“Something tells me there are few who can do that.”
“Try none.”
He considered her for a moment. “What is your name. It seems like I should at least know it by now.”
“Nyx.” She stuck her hand out. “You?”
Leaning in, he slid his palm into hers and took note of the feel of her warm, slightly callused skin. He approved of the latter and wasn’t surprised by it. The warmth? He could have done without noticing that.
“The Jackal.” He bowed a little, as if they were making acquaintance in a drawing room. “And yes, that is my name.”
No, it wasn’t. But he didn’t use his real one. Hadn’t for . . . well, since after his transition.
“Your first name is ‘the’?” she said dryly.
“It was a nickname that stuck.”
“Down here?”
“And up there.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
There was a long silence, and as she broke off and walked around the fire pit, he studied her movements.
“How would you care for a hot bath,” he asked.
“Like this place has running water?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes, it does. But more than that, the bathing pool is in an even more secure place. I’d suggest you allow me to get your pack and show you the way.”
“I’ll get it myself. Which way do I go.”
The Jackal put his hands on his hips and stared at the stone floor. Then he strode over and got right in the female’s face.
In Nyx’s face.
“Enough.” He loomed over her. “I have had enough. You’re going to stay here. I’m going to get your pack. And then we’re going to the bathing pool.”
“No, I’m going to—”
“Your desperation to find your sister is making you reckless. If that gets only you killed, fine. You deserve it. But Lucan and Kane are now involved and I will not let you endanger their lives.”
“How does me going back to get my stuff have anything to do with them?”
“Because I’m going to be obligated to save you and what do you think they’re going to do? They’re going to come help me. Or are you saying that they don’t matter. That they’re just prisoners who are expendable. Hmm? Is that how you feel?”
“Of course not,” she spat.
“Then for once in your life, do what you’re told and stay here.”
Nyx crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. Going by the way her jaw moved, it was obvious she was grinding her molars, and her eyes were spitting fire.
Except then she muttered, “Fine.”
The Jackal threw up his hands and turned away. “Finally. A fucking breakthrough.”
“FYI, you just cussed. And it was a big one.”