Page 6 of Red Captive

Titan takes me off his shoulder, putting me on my feet before the general and the lieutenant.

The one has a large gold crest on the front of his armor, and the other has a silver one. I suspect that the gold is the general. He actually isn’t bad-looking. All of the shifters are fairly attractive if you’re into tall and built with a side of aggression.

The general grins down at me.

Lieutenant Jakes is a bit older. He has salt-and-pepper hair and fine lines around his eyes as he looks me up and down. He seems disapproving, like I’m not what he was expecting.

The general has thick, platinum-colored hair. It’s neatly trimmed, as is his beard, which is also white. His eyes are a bright blue. They’re freaky and cold. Actually, on second thoughts, he should be good-looking, but, somehow, isn’t.

The lieutenant has brown hair and brown eyes. He is clean-shaven. His hair is closely cropped to his scalp. I don’t like the look of him, either; or how he is looking at me, for that matter.

They both give me a bad feeling.

“Hello, human. My name is Ice.” The general speaks to me like I am hard of hearing or something. He articulates every word, speaking slowly. “I’m the prince of Mistveil. I also happen to be the general, so you can call me General or Sire…whichever floats your boat. The good news is that you are going home. I must say, your father is quite well connected.” He lifts his brows. “The bad news is that you will be our guest for two more daysuntil there is a flight to the Mainland. Fear not; my team will ensure that your every need is met while you are staying at the castle.”

My dad is a deadbeat who left us when I was a baby. They definitely have the wrong woman. What do I do? Do I pretend to be someone else?

I mumble into my gag.

“Oh!” The general…prince…whatever he is, laughs. “Our manners are terrible. Untie her!” he commands Igor. “I don’t think we need that gag.” He waves his hand, looking at Titan with narrowed eyes. “Miss Jefferson is our guest; let’s treat her as such, shall we?”

While Titan undoes the bonds on my arms, I wrack my brain. Who has that last name?

Jefferson.

Jefferson.

I say it a couple more times inside my mind, hoping it sparks something. It doesn’t. We know each other on a first-name basis, and although I have heard the other Tributes’ last names, I haven’t heard them enough times to remember them.

Crap!

I’m pretty sure they think I’m Skylar. Her father is super wealthy. She used to tell us all the time how he was going to rescue her. How she wouldn’t have to stay too long on Draig. It was“Daddy this”and“Daddy that.”Maybe he came through for her. It has to be her they think they have.

I remove the gag while Titan gets to work freeing my legs. I finally get the thing off. I lick my lips. My mouth is dry.

The general is smiling at me. “There! That’s much better. I’m so sorry about the…” He cocks his head and narrows his eyes, taking a step toward me. He scrutinizes me, his eyes narrowing further.

Oh, shit!

Crap!

He knows.Arghhhhh!

“What is this?” he spits as his gaze moves to Igor. “Who is this? Who are you?” he growls at me.

“Skylar,” I say in a small voice. I have to try. This is my ticket out of here. “I’m Skylar Jefferson,” I say in a more confident voice.

Fake it till you make it.

The general throws out a barking laugh that is anything but humorous. “You are not Skylar. Who is she?” he asks Igor; his face is turning a touch red. His eyes are bugging out of his skull. It’s safe to say that he is not pleased.

“What do you mean?” Igor’s eyes widen. “She’s the female you told me to get for you from Draig Island. She was at the location you gave me, and she matches the description.” He shrugs. “Look at her.” He gestures to me.

“I am looking at her, you moron! Her eyes are blue…not green.”

“They’re contacts.” I giggle. “I hate my green eyes. I think they look better blue.”

“It’s not just her eyes. She’s slightly taller. You are not Skylar.” He turns to his desk and opens a file, taking out a large, glossy photograph. It’s a headshot of Skylar. It looks nothing like me.

---