Page 20 of Alpha Fate

I eye him curiously. “Who are you?”

“Nobody important.” He grimaces. “Just someone who should have done something a lot sooner than now.”

I stay watchful. I’ve learned the hard way not to trust anyone here. “Okaaaay.” I draw the word out.

“Look, I don’t expect you to believe me after what you’ve been through. It doesn’t bother me. I’ll do what I can, anyway.” He looks around the small cell, his face registering distaste. “I’ll see if I can get some food down later. Not easy to get it past the guards, though.” There’s a gravelly edge to his voice, and when I glance down, I see a vicious-looking scar that circles his throat. Whatever left that must have done its share of damage to his vocal cords.

I look up again. “You’re really trying to help me?”

“Yes. For what it’s worth.” He shrugs, looking around again. “There’s not a whole lot I can do right now, but if nothing else, I can make you a little more comfortable. A full belly would help.” He runs an eye over me. It doesn’t creep me out like when the others did it. It’s cool and clinical. “You’re malnourished. Starving.” He exhales. “Motherfuckers,” he says gruffly.

I don’t say anything because there’s nothing to say.

“I’d better go,” he says after a moment, straightening. “But I’ll be back. Just remember, you’re not alone in here.”

I stare in confusion. This is totally unexpected.

But one thing he said sticks firmly in my mind.

I’m not alone in here.

I’m still staring up at him when the sharp clang of metal on stone jars me from my thoughts. There’s a scuffling noise, followed by the thud of heavy boots. I glance at the stranger. His face is etched with concern as he moves swiftly to the door of my cell.

Pressed against the bars, he peers out. I shuffle forward on my knees to get a better view. Down the dimly lit corridor, shadows dance as a group of males come stomping down the stairs. Their voices echo off the stone walls.

“Hurry it up. We gotta move her. Now!”

“What’s the rush?”

“New orders. Something’s come up.”

“Something like what?”

“You’ll find out when the time comes. Just be ready.”

The stranger glances back at me, brows drawn together. He turns again to keep watch on the gathering males.

One of them snarls, “Why the fuck are we only hearing about this now?”

“Top Brass wants the element of surprise.”

“Surprise against who?”

“Enough questions. You got your orders. Now move.”

The stranger looks back at me. “This is bad news. We gotta get you out of here. Now…before they lock this place down tight.”

I blink at him in bewilderment. “What? How?” My voice comes out a croak.

He grimaces. “Working on that part. But something’s up, and I have no doubt that it’s bad. We need to leave.”

“Leave for where?” I ask.

“Shhh,” he cautions. “No time to discuss this. We’re getting out of here while they’re distracted.”

He slips out of my cell, glancing left and right before coming back to me. My heart hammers. This is really happening.

Crouching beside me, steel jangles as he fumbles through a heavy set of keys. In moments, the collar is unlocked, and he’s freeing my wrist from the manacle that locks me to the wall. “Can you walk?” he asks urgently.

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