Page 376 of Hunters and Prey

“Yes. Although she refused to take a mate, she did blood bind to the three Dreki lords, and that connection was painfully severed at the moment of her passing. It was an impact that resonated within their very souls.”

There was so much to learn about the Dreki. “You have lords?”

“Yes, I—”

“Anya?” Helgi rolled over in her sleep.

Dante’s tone grew urgent. “Come with me, and you will see the truth with your own eyes. We could use you, Anya. There is so little time left, and we must do everything within our power to protect this world from the Jotunn.”

My mouth was suddenly dry. A better person would be worried about humanity, about everyone who stood to be hurt by the Jotunn if the Dreki failed, but my mind went to Dad and the kids. My family. It was them I’d fight to protect. The cell was suddenly too small, the air too thin. If death claimed me in here, then what would happen to the twins? What would happen to June and the toddlers? The resistance had to come through for us, because if they didn’t, then I would be forced to make an unthinkable decision—one that would haunt me for the rest of my days.

Dante’s eyes were closed, and his breathing had evened out. Asleep, just like that. Lying back on the mattress next to his, I forced my body to relax. I’d need my wits and my strength for what was to come, and thankfully sleep agreed with my assessment.

Alone and trapped. How could this have happened after everything I taught you? Vigilance. A growl of exasperation.

That voice....

... have to find a way out. Need to fight ... not our story ... Damn him and his vow. Damn him to the pits of oblivion ...

Something cold brushed my cheek, yanking me from the warm place between waking and dreaming. Beady red eyes glared into my soul, a scream locked in my throat, and then the rat hobbled away, its battered, impossibly alive body squeezing through the bars and into the thick shadows beyond.

A rat.

A fucking dead rat.

“Anya?” Dante’s voice was thick with sleep.

“I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” No way was I telling him I’d just seen a dead rat. That was my psychosis to bear.

“Sleep now, Anya,” Dante said, more alert now. “I will watch over you.”

I wasn’t used to being watched over, but it felt good to let go, to close my eyes and relax my weary muscles and forget about dead things, forget about the voice and its chiding. If it was back, if I was indeed going crazy, then I’d deal with it once we were out of here. One problem at a time. Right now there could only be one focus for my energies.

Tomorrow and the resistance.

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