The events of the lockdown are still fresh in my mind. I can’t help but be afraid that the guards came back for another round of emptying the cells. If it wasn’t for the fact that, every few days, Rys disappears for a while, I’d probably be frantic at the thought of losing my only ally in this place.
I trust him a little more now. It might have had something to do with the pear, but mostly it’s because I know that he used to be a guard. When he feels up to talking, he’s a pure treasure trove of information—and, despite his determination to stay on the inside, my only hope at getting out again.
He won’t tell me where he goes when the guards force him from his cell at swordpoint. I tried to ask and, as he has a habit of doing, he quickly changed the subject before shutting down the conversation. It could be hours, it could be days, but it’s usually overni
ght when he disappears.
That’s the worst. Even though we’re separated by two sets of bars, I feel better knowing I’m not the only one in our wing. When he’s gone, I can barely sleep at all. I keep expecting visitors.
Later that afternoon, I get them.
I’ve been dreading this. Dusk has been a shadow in the back of my mind, hovering where I just can’t forget about him. It’s been a couple of days since he’s done more than leer at me as he passed my cell, but those leers told me everything I needed to know. The Unseelie creep is biding his time.
The lockdown and the Seelie captain’s unexpected visit might have thrown a wrench in his plans. As soon as he has the chance, he’ll be back.
I just never expected that, when he did, he’d bring reinforcements.
It’s just the two of them. Dusk, with his wolfish grin and lust in his silver gaze, and the same Seelie guard that Rys interrogated the day of the lockdown. His hair is still golden, though a paler shade, and he’s one of the only fae I’ve seen who wears it twisted in a knotted braid instead of keeping it loose. It makes it easy to recognize him.
Vale, I remember. That’s what Rys called him.
He was muttering something to Dusk, so quiet that I can’t make out the words, as they stroll into my wing. I hold my breath, hoping that this is just a regular patrol; I do that a lot when I see Dusk. He’s not the only one who eyeballs me as he goes past, but he’s the only one who makes me think he’s already fucking me in his head.
I shiver and take a few frightened steps back when he stops in front of my cell.
The conversation comes to a sudden halt right when he does. Vale turns on his heel, frowning when he sees that Dusk’s attention is locked on me.
“What are you doing?”
“I’ve come for the human.”
Oh, no. No, no, no.
I back up so suddenly that my back slams against the wall.
Neither one notices.
“You can’t,” argues Vale. “You know the agreement. You made the deal.”
“I know. But this isn’t about the shadows. Captain Helix’s orders. Female prisoners should be together.”
Realization dawns on Vale’s face. “You’re bringing her to Posey.”
“For now.”
“You should’ve told me.”
“Why? You may be Seelie, but in Siúcra, it’s the Cursed Ones who truly hold the power because of the shadows. I let you come with me because you wanted to see the succubus. Now you have a reason to. Leave it at that.”
The other guard doesn’t argue again.
Great.
With a smirk, Dusk crooks his long, pale finger at me. “Come, Elle. And behave. The captain might have passed down orders this morning, but don’t forget who’s in charge of the prison. And no agreement can save you if you try my patience.”
I have no idea what he means by agreement, but I sure as hell can pick up on the threat in his gleeful tone. He’s begging me to fight back, to give him some kind of flimsy reason to retaliate.
Two can play that game.