Broken Kingdom (Corium University Trilogy 3)

Rick seems just as drunk. His eyes are glassy, and even sitting down, he’s swaying a little in his chair. “We did as you said, didn’t bring her food, and left her alone,” he slurs.

“Good.” I don’t have to tell them what would happen if they had disobeyed me. Bruno is missing his little finger because he did not listen to my father once. That’s not something you forget.

Leaving the two behind, I make my way farther into the building. As I get closer to my guests, I can hear the low thump of something banging against the wall in a rhythmic pattern. Smiling to myself, I pass the room of my first guest and continue to my second.

Her room is quiet, but that doesn’t mean she’s not causing trouble. I unlock the door with the code on the number pad and push the heavy iron door open. I don’t see her sitting on the cot, and since that’s the only piece of furniture in the room, she can only hide behind the door.

I step inside, anticipating her attack. She jumps out from her hiding spot like a bat out of hell, swinging her tiny fists at me. I subdue her with ease. Grabbing her by the wrists, I push her backward until she falls onto her cot.

Immediately, she loses her vigor, realizing what a vulnerable position she is now in. “What do you want from me?”

“I want to know your ties to the Valentine family?”

Her lips press into a tight line as she raises her chin in defiance. She keeps her back straight, and her hands curled into fists beside her body, as if she is attempting to look brave. But it’s hard to take her seriously with her small frame and uncombed auburn hair falling off her shoulders in tangled waves.

“I guess you are enjoying your stay too much. All of this could be over if you tell me what I want to know.”

“Sure, you just let me go after, right?” She snorts. “I know the only reason I’m alive is because you want something from me. I’m not stupid. As soon as I tell you, I’m dead.”

“You watch too many horror movies.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Like I said. I’m not stupid. I know who you are.”

“If you know who I am, you should know I don’t play games, and I stand by my word. Tell me how you know the Valentines and the Brookshires.”

“I have nothing to tell you.”

“I guess you still need a little more time. Lucky for you, I’m not in a hurry. You may stay here indefinitely if that’s what you want.”

“I want to leave.”

“Then tell me what I want to know.”

“No… I’ll find a way out of here,” she mumbles under her breath.

“A way out? Like the hole you’ve been digging with the spoon from yesterday’s lunch?”

She doesn’t move, her body stiffer than ever, but her eyes move toward the east wall ever so slightly, giving her away. The back part of this building is not metal like the hangar that stores the airplanes. These rooms were added later for storage and are nothing more than large cinder blocks held together by concrete.

It’s not easy to get through, but if you have nothing but time on your hands, digging a hole through—no matter how slow—is possible. She has already scraped an inch deep around one block, making it almost possible to move the heavy piece.

“I’m not sure where you think you are going, but I assure you, nothing but snow-covered earth surrounds this place for hundreds of miles. You would freeze to death in a few hours—unless a hungry animal got to you first.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

“And I’ll take that spoon. I’ll let the guards know not to provide you with any more silverware.” Stepping right up to the bed, I hold out my hand, waiting for her to hand me the spoon.

She stares at me for a moment, playing innocent, but quickly realizes that I’m not going anywhere. She finally huffs in defeat and digs the utensil out from underneath her thin pillow.

Grabbing it, I shove it into my pocket and turn to leave. Pausing at the door, I glance over my shoulder. “I am not in a hurry, but my patience has an end. If you don’t talk soon, I will let my guys have free rein, and trust me, they are not as civil as I am.”

Her gulp is loud enough for me to hear across the room; her eyes fill with fear, but she still keeps her lips pressed together. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she wraps her arms around them, looking more vulnerable than before. If I didn’t know she was somehow involved with the Valentines, I would probably feel sorry for her. Unlucky for her, I don’t.