Page 18 of Trapped By Vengeance

Baldy looks up in indignation. “Oh, soyoucan help yourself to the prisoner, but ain’t no one else allowed?”

“Noone is to touch her from this point forward,” I counter.

“We don’t have time for chivalrous urges,” the first twin counters. “All our lives are at stake, and if we don’t get the payout, our lives will be at stake with nothin’ to pay for our escape.”

More mutters are made, and I hear a demand begin for payment now rising.

“You will all be paid after the job is done, as is the standard!” I yell but feel like my words are washed away.

“I’lldo the job,” Baldy offers, louder than me. “I’ll cut off her finger if our fearless leader is too squeamish to do what it takes.”

Several “Ays” are proclaimed, like this is an official vote.

I’ve never witnessed a mutiny before, but I can sense that one is brewing.

I turn back to Eloise and find her eyes wide in a silent question as Sir Pigeon nuzzles her shoulder.

Not sure what I’m affirming, I nod.

Eloise rushes off.

Then I turn back to the men. “I’m not paying you to question my orders.”

“You’re not paying us at all!” Baldy yells.

“Iwillonce the job is finished, as we agreed—”

The twinwith the injured collar looms next to me the best he can despite my being taller than him. “We’ll never get the job finished playing by your rules.”

His brother cries out from across the crowd. “We have the girl already. We don’t need him as the go-between!”

More “Ays!” are declared. Then my saber is in my hand.

Weapons are drawn all around me, but no one takes a step. We all stand in limbo as they determine their fates.

“Come now, gentlemen.” I flash them a deadly calm grin. “Let’s not forget what ring of Purgatory is reserved for mutineers.”

Baldy sneers. “We’re all going to Purgatory at this point. We just want to keep from going any sooner than we have to.”

With that announcement, they surge forward as one.

Chapter Nine

Captor and Captive

Valda:

I’m almost finished plotting my revenge against Konrad when the door swings open.

“Are you done running from me like a coward?” I demand, whirling around.

Except, it’s not Konrad in the doorway. It’s the little girl and a pigeon, both with wide, frightened eyes. The fear in Eloise’s spirit is strong and sour, and something darker wafts in the surrounding air.

A wave of bloodlust.

I frown. “Eloise? Is something wrong?”

“Mutiny!” she gasps. “They want to cut off your finger!”

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