Page 2 of Dead End

“And you,” the goddess said.

I dragged myself to my feet to follow Ademir. After I’d been officially processed and collared, they’d assigned me to the Brazilian curupira, known for their bright red hair and backward feet. He could craft illusions, and his high-pitched whistle could inflict fear and madness, although he was only authorized to utilize that particular skill if I stepped out of line. I doubted it was a coincidence that they’d chosen a guard whose talents were similar to my own.

“Can you take me to the training grounds? I’d like to see where the avatars train to fight,” I said.

Ademir’s flaming eyebrows danced. “Why?”

“Because it’s an integral part of the company’s business. If I’m expected to get on board, I should see all the moving parts.”

He scrutinized me. “I know this is a ploy, but I’m not sure what your plan is. To get near the weapons? Bad news, boo. You won’t be able to wield them. The collar won’t allow it.”

“I don’t need to be near the weapons. Take me to the training fields. I want to talk to Kottavei.”

“Not gonna happen. I’m not authorized to take you there.”

“Fine, then can you take me to the crab shack down by the beach? I’m in the mood for seafood.”

“Again? You’ve eaten enough crustaceans and mollusks to qualify as a shark.”

“What does it matter to you?”

He checked his watch. “We have that meeting at four. I’ll take you to the crab shack afterward for dinner.”

‘That meeting’ was a mystery to me beyond my requirement to attend.

“What about breakfast?”

He pointed to the nearest building. “There’s a perfectly good cafeteria right there.”

“Never mind. I’ve lost my appetite. Let’s skip the food.”

Ademir’s red eyebrow curled like a writhing worm. “Is this because of the cafeteria?”

I turned away. “No.”

“Funny. Your file doesn’t say anything about a fear of cafeterias. I’ll have to let HR know to add that in.”

I ignored him. He knew I had a bee in my bonnet about The Corporation’s file on me. They knew how much I wanted to read it, primarily for information about my parents, which naturally meant they kept the file just out of reach. Their forms of torture were far subtler than Lucifer’s.

Lucifer.

My stomach roiled at the thought of the supreme leader of hell. Kane was currently at his mercy because of me. Posy Martell had set me up with a golden ticket that I used to beat Lucifer, which didn’t have the desired outcome. Little did I know that The Corporation and Lucifer had conspired together to each get what they wanted: my imprisonment here and Kane’s imprisonment with Lucifer as his warden. I’d been outmaneuvered, and now Kane and I were both paying the price for my naïveté.

Nope. Not gonna think about Kane.

I gave the thoughts a firm push to the bottom of my psyche and stamped on them for good measure. If I intended to survive this and rescue Kane, I had to keep my wits about me. That meant not wandering through a minefield of emotions.

Despite my protest, Ademir steered me to the cafeteriaentrance. “I won’t get to eat until after the meeting, so we’re going in now, princess.”

“It’s queen to you.” I braced myself as we entered the cafeteria. I’d attended multiple schools as a child; walking into the cafeteria as the new kid never got easier, no matter how many times I’d done it. At least The Corporation’s cafeteria had booths and comfy cushions. The food was good, too. Small mercies.

Ademir sat across from me. I wasn’t granted solitude during mealtimes. Ademir seemed concerned I’d palm a butter knife and attack my way out with it. “Looks like an oatmeal bar today. You interested?”

“I told you I’m not hungry.”

“Your loss. There’s even a ladle for if you want to add heavy cream.”

A pint-sized woman approached the table. It took me a moment to realize I’d met her before, during my initial visit to Paradise.

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