Page 28 of Ruby Queen
Chapter 19
Anthony woke to the sound of scraping as the door was forced open. Glancing toward Dimitra, he realized she’d come to stand between him and whoever was coming into their dank prison.
“Dimitra, what are you doing?”
“You’re still recovering. I don’t want them to hurt you, Anthony. You need to live for Rory. I won’t let her lose us both. Now shut up and follow along. Lay back and close your eyes. Let them think you’re asleep. Please…” She shot him a wary glance.
Anthony winced, his wound still throbbing reminded him he’d nearly lost his life at the explosion. Pressing his eyes closed, he laid flat against the cool concrete and listened – as the Diamond Queen had ordered him.
“I see he’s still unconscious.” A man’s voice echoed off the walls.
“What do you want with us?” Dimitra bit back.
“It doesn’t matter… everything will be revealed in due time. Look,” Anthony heard his footsteps move closer, “you need to just do what he says – I don’t want your blood on my hands.”
Dimitra gasped, “You’re being forced to do this, aren’t you?”
Anthony cracked an eye open, trying to see what was happening.
“Stop pretending to be asleep, I can see you’re awake.” The man barked, causing Anthony’s eyes to fly open.
“Why are you doing this?”
The man peered over his shoulder, checking the corridor, “Look…” he lowered his voice, “He has my sister… if I don’t go along with his plans, he will kill her. I can’t let that happen. She’s only nine. He already killed my parents.”
Dimitra sighed, “Help us escape, and I promise to help you save her.”
“I can’t. He’ll kill her the minute I betray him.”
“So what? You're going to kill us?” Dimitra demanded.
“No…, he has a plan for you – but him,” the stranger pointed toward Anthony, “he’s not important.”
“Please don’t kill him. I’ll come with you – willingly. But Anthony needs to be set free.”
The man seemed to be at war with himself. He glanced once more into the corridor, “I will tell him you're dead. You,” he motioned toward the queen, “will have to put on a big show about him being left dead in this room. I will leave the door unlocked, but you will have to wait a day or two before trying to leave. There are six of us here right now. But we have been ordered to move her.”
Anthony grunted, “Your Majesty, I can’t allow you to do this.”
“You don’t have a choice. You’re the only one who can clue everyone in on what’s happening.”
“Can you tell me anything that would be helpful?”
The man pondered for a moment, “The place where fire meets water and is covered in darkness. That is where he will take her.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“That’s all I can give you… I’m sorry.” He reached out for Dimitra’s arm, “Come. We have to go, or he will become suspicious.”
“Wait… can you unlock his chains? Please…” Dimitra yanked free and ran to Anthony. Squatting down, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “Take care of my cousin.”
“I’ll find you, Dimitra. I promise.” Breaking apart, Anthony looked to the man, “What’s your name? Can you give me that?”
Sighing, “I…” he looked at the queen, “my name is Jason. Jason Castor. And I promise to protect her – I swear I will not let any harm come to her where he is taking us.”
Anthony nodded as Jason unfastened his chains. Rubbing the flesh where the metal had bitten into his ankles, Anthony watched as Dimitra was pulled from the room. The slamming of the door made him startle and wince. He closed his eyes for a moment and listened. He could hear banging, and then silence fills the space. Remembering his promise, he leaned against the wall and waited.
He’d find Dimitra… but first, he had to get to Rory. She needed to know he was alive. Then Anthony would stop at nothing to save Dimitra. He had a feeling Rory would burn the world down to find her cousin.
