WALL MEN: A Haunted House (The Wall Men 1)

I shake my head no.

“I can tell you speak the truth, and now I must admit that I am the one who is perplexed.” He takes his finger and taps on the metal bars. The door swings open, and he stands aside, gesturing for me to come out.

“Where are you taking me?” Because the only fighting I’ll be doing is to save my own life and get home. Home to Bard. To Master.

I stare at this mystical-looking man before me, but I don’t move because I can’t.

“I vow not to harm you.”

Suddenly, across his lower torso, the words he spoke appear in bright glowing red script: I vow not to harm you.

The words fade to black on his skin and turn into a new symbol—a series of squares and squiggles that blend with the others on his body. Holy hell. What is this guy?

“What was that?” I ask, stepping back.

“I see you have a lot to learn about your new home, Lake.”

My new home? Here? I don’t think so.

“In these lands,” he says, “a promise made is an unbreakable thing. To do so has dire, eternal consequences that no being of any kingdom wishes to face.” Benicio sweeps his hands over his body. “As king of these lands, I am the keeper of the vows that rule every citizen. If a vow is broken, it turns into a death warrant for the vow breaker. Punishment is swift.”

Benicio is some sort of supernatural constitution. The judge and jury, too?

“So you see, Lake Norfolk,” he adds, “I have given you my word. It has been written, and the vow will remain as long as you and I live.” He flashes another predatory smile.

I don’t care what he says or what just happened on his skin, I’m never going to trust this guy.

Nevertheless, I swallow my fear and will myself to step from the cage. Free is free and gets me one step closer to home—the only thing I want.

“Let me show you to your chamber. You look like you might enjoy a good meal, a hot bath, and clean clothes.”

“Do I get a shirt?” I eye his naked chest.

He laughs. “It has a sense of humor.”

It? The giants called me that, too. It is what you call an inanimate object or an animal. They don’t see me as one of them.

“It does have a sense of humor,” I say with a bite. “And it is famished.”

“Then we shall clean you up, and you will dine with the one true king.”

“You mean you, right?”

He takes my hand in his and licks my knuckles with his hot, wet tongue. I’m too damned scared to jerk away or yell. I don’t know if this is him tasting his prey or a form of salutation in this land.

Goosebumps erupt on my arms. My heart races. I know he can hear it, and damn if it doesn’t excite him because he withdraws his mouth. His jaw clacks, and his teeth snap.

“Oh, how I would love to bed you, Lake.”

I step back into the cell. “Get away from me.”

He holds up his hands. “Be calm, Norfolk. Be calm. I am bound never to harm you. Remember?” He points to his rib cage, and the red glowing letters appear on his skin.

I don’t budge. Mostly because I come from a land where people write down all sorts of things. They write them in newspapers, on media posts, and even in court documents. People write down lies all the time, which is why I’m a fan of actions. Do what you say, and say what you do. If he’s really being honest, time will tell. Until then, he’s just one more monster out to kill me.

“Please do not misconstrue my words,” he says. “I meant it as a compliment. I find you desirable. It is customary to say so out loud. Without shame.”

“Nice to know. But I don’t reciprocate,” I lie. There’s something hauntingly beautiful about his face. Beautiful and strange, but also terrifying.

He smiles, flashing a bit of those shiny white teeth. “I will not hold that lie against you, Lake; however, when you are ready to come clean, the truth will be rewarded.”

Rewarded with what?

Benicio walks me up a narrow stone staircase, and we emerge into a long, torchlit hallway with soaring arched ceilings and smooth stone walls. Not a window to be found.

“Here is your chamber,” Benicio says, stopping in front of a thick wooden door. “I am sorry that it does not have the usual human comforts I have heard so much about, but we believe such things make one weak and soft.”

“Do you feel that way about windows, too?”

“Windows are unwise when so many of one’s enemies have wings. I’m afraid you will have to go outside to enjoy the fresh night air.”

“Point the way. I’ll go right now,” I say.