Page 18 of Princess Broken

Giving up quickly, I take the opportunity to better study my surroundings. The tunnel has clearly been here a long time, carved out of rock. Behind us, in the direction from which we ran, I see nothing but darkness, and it’s easy to assume that the explosions I heard collapsed the tunnel under the Mariano headquarters. Is it too much to hope the explosion also killed the vampires above?

I’m only slightly ashamed to be wishing for the death of other vampires. Mariano might deserve death, but when he’s caught and held to account, he will serve a very long prison sentence. Death sentences are rare under vampiric laws, and incarceration is often a worse punishment, given how long vampires can survive.

In the other direction, the tunnel stretches as far as I can see, but with hints of junctions branching to the sides in a few places. At least I think there are junctions. It’s impossible to be certain, even using my night vision. I rock onto my toes and back. While they’re talking, I could make a run for it. But Crusher was right.

While I’m likely more nimble than these men, able to accelerate more quickly and best them over a short distance, it wouldn’t take long for them to overtake me with their much longer strides.

To escape them, it’s best if I earn their trust.

I am stuck with these four dangerous men. For better or worse. Mostly worse.

They break their huddle, and Blade arrives first at my side. “It’s decided,” he said. “We’re taking you home.”

Chapter Seven

Ana

They’re taking me home!

“My home?” I look into the tall, Black man’s eyes, still amazed by their color, like molten silver, the dangerous metal that burns creatures such as us. Like most vampires, Blade’s irises swirl with flecks of other pigments, but their overall silver shade is extraordinary, especially against his skin tone, and his eyes pull me toward him.

“Our home,” Blade says. “Want a lift?”

My heart sinks and I feel foolish for my wishful thinking.

“I’d rather run.” In spite of his eyes, the idea of being carried again is more terrifying than exciting. Terrifying because of how it might make me feel.

One of Blade’s eyebrows rises and he looks down toward my bare feet and long skirts. “Suit yourself.” He reaches for my hand, but stops a few inches short of touching me.

My fingers flick forward and my entire hand buzzes.

“Is it okay if I take your hand?” he asks. “So you don’t get lost?”

So I don’t run away, is the more likely explanation for his request, but my fingers twitch, clearly interested in the idea of touching his.

Unless a knife shoots out from his arm to stab me, Blade feels the least dangerous of these four men right now. Unless I’m mistaken, he finds me attractive. I can use that.

My hand drifts toward his, and his large, long-fingered hand engulfs mine with a gentle but firm grip.

“Shall we?” he asks.

“Sure.” My answer emerges hoarsely.

Flame heads out first, then Blade and I run side-by-side close behind him, and although I can’t see them, I sense the movement of the two biggest men, Crusher and Phil following close. Flame turns several times and, holding my hand, Blade tugs me along to follow.

For the first few dozen miles, I carefully imprint the route in my mind. It’s not like I’d ever want to return to a blocked entrance to the Mariano headquarters, but memorizing this underground maze could be crucial to my escape.

Few landmarks appear on the route, but some junctions, leading away from the main tunnel, are reinforced with arches made from stone or brick, signs of civilization, although the main tunnel seems natural, carved by water through rock.

Flame stops, and the rest of us halt too.

From behind me, Phil tightly covers my eyes with a dark cloth.

“Hey!” I reach up to tug it off, but the massive man leans in close to my ear.

“If you remove it, I’ll find another way to blind you that won’t be so gentle.”

His threat shivers through me. I believe him. Phil seems crazy enough to press out my eyes.

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