Page 40 of Blades of Ice

“Then use your hands. Hold them out in front of you until you run into a wall.”

Before she could respond, there was a scraping noise. A hint of light filtered into the area as a man wearing a balaclava waltzed in with a bucket in one hand and a case of water under his other arm.

“Still alive, then? You won’t be for long.” He dropped the bucket on the ground next to Chloe. “If it were up to me, you’d starve to death. Since it’s not…” He then dropped the cans, not caring if they were dented in the process.

Beck took advantage of the light to check on his sister. Her blonde hair was a tangled mess, and tear tracks bisected her dirty cheeks.

“I’d make that last, if I were you.” The man backed out of the cave. Beck stared at him until the door closed, taking the light with it.

Beck sniffed. “That smells like fish.”

“It is, and it’s raw. Like he just pulled it out of the water.”

“You did say you were hungry. Can you toss me a couple, please?” Chloe had a good arm, and Beck hoped her aim was still on point. When something hit him in the face, he cringed. He held his hands up in case the next one was thrown in the same vicinity. It was, but he hadn’t been expecting it that soon, so it landed on his lap. Beck released a claw, thankful the cuffs didn’t hinder that ability. He used it to scrape off the skin, then cut through the head and tail. His hands shook as he picked out the raw flesh, careful to avoid any small bones. If he were in his fur, those wouldn’t bother him, but in his skin, he could choke on them. The fish wasn’t large, but it was better than nothing.

“Did you recognize his voice?” Beck tossed the carcass to the side and began on the next one.

Loud crunches came from across the space. It took a few seconds for her to respond. “No, did you?”

Ah, Chloe had shifted so she could eat in her other form. Beck was jealous. He was also confused as to why she wasn’t chained. She was formidable in her shifted form, as were all females.

Beck shrugged, then he remembered she couldn’t see him. “I’m not sure. Something seemed familiar, but it could be wishful thinking.”

“You want another fish?”

“No, we better save them in case we’re not given anything else. But I wouldn’t mind a can of water.”

Chloe rolled a can across the floor. Beck had to search for it in the dark, but his hand eventually found the container.

“Why would he do this?” Chloe’s voice was smaller than he’d ever heard. Beck didn’t have to ask who she was referring to.

“My guess is he’s desperate. Valerie turned him loose.”

“But why come after Mom? She’s not going to help him. Why kidnap his own daughter? And why me and not Delaney? She’s next in line for the crown.”

“Maybe that’s it. If Amara is out of the picture, then he can get Delaney on the throne and use her for whatever scheme he has planned next.” Beck popped open the can and took a sip. “Do you know who Amara is seeing?”

“Why do you think she’s seeing someone? She hasn’t mentioned it to me.”

“Because there was evidence of a strange male at her house. I’m surprised you didn’t notice his presence when you went by there. Ten bucks says it’s that guy who brought us the fish.”

“Yeah, but who is he, and why would he help my… Boyd? Delaney taking over the pack doesn’t mean she’d automatically help him. She’s tougher than Amara, but don’t tell Mom I said that.”

“Not while she’s pregnant. She’ll be vulnerable until after the cub is born.”

Chloe huffed out a laugh. “Delaney’s not pregnant. Where’d you get that idea?”

“She was puking when I stopped by the office, and she admitted it.”

“What the fuck is going on? They used to tell me everything.”

Now his sister knew how Beck felt, but he didn’t say that aloud. Chloe didn’t deserve his bitterness, but since when had she become so whiny?Shewas the tougher sister.

A scraping sound filled the air, and Beck figured Chloe was moving the bucket. “What are we going to do?” she asked.

“Have you ever picked a lock? Maybe if you use your claw, you can get me out of these cuffs, and when the male comes back, I can attack him.”

“Sadly, that’s one skill I never learned. Besides that, I don’t think you’re strong enough to attack anyone.”

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