Page 16 of Broken Fate
“I tried to destroy the Fate Stone,” I said, looking around to see what sort of reaction that got.
More than one set of eyebrows shot up. Someone whistled low and long. Others talked among themselves, a mixture of impressed to downright disbelief.
Behind them, the tall auburn-haired woman stared at me with sudden intensity. Her eyes narrowed. Then she turned and walked out of my sight. I craned my neck, trying to see where she’d gone, but it was impossible.
“Damn,” my cellmate said. “That’s badass. I’m surprised you’re alive.”
I looked at her in surprise. “You really think they would kill me?”
She snorted. “Seriously? Look at where you are. Feel your back. Are you still that naïve about the world?”
My gaze slowly dropped. She was right. I needed to stop thinking that the Alpha and his men were incapable of such things. They were not the benevolent, gentle rulers I had been led to believe. The crisscross of marks on my back was a testament to that.
“They still might,” I said slowly. “Andracis said he was coming back for me after I was healed. A second round of interrogation, apparently.”
“Ah, damn.” She got up and crossed to her bunk, abruptly dismissing me.
“What? What did I do?” I asked, confused.
“Nothing personal,” the woman said without looking over. “But if they’re gonna take you again today or tomorrow, then I don’t wanna waste time getting to know you. It only makes it hurt more when they take you, and you stop coming back. No offense.”
I gently lay back down, my back protesting. “Yeah … none taken.” I sighed, staring at the stone ceiling for several long seconds before closing my eyes. “None taken.”
What would happen next? Would I return the next time Andracis summoned me? Or would his “questioning” be too much for my body to take? Perhaps he would tire of me and order my death.
The clanking of the door stirred me from a sleep that had snuck up on me. Sitting up, I peered into the darkness, noting the shape of someone as they pulled open the cell door.
“Hello?” I whispered nervously, wishing I had a weapon. Was this it? Had Andracis decided I was awake enough for more punishment?
A light flickered into being, a tiny candle being held by none other than the tall woman with golden eyes.
“Good, you’re awake,” she said without any emotion.
“The door isn’t exactly quiet,” I pointed out. “And how did you get it open anyway? Are you here to kill me?”
She sneered. “Not all of us bow to the whims of those who think they’re our betters. Do you understand?”
I stared. “What?”
“Do. You. Understand?”
“No, not at all,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t get any of this. I just wanted to slow things down. And then I acted, and now, I’m in prison, and you’re talking about bowing and whims in the darkness with only a candle. What’s going on?”
This wasn’t how I’d imagined things would go at all. But then, I never was one to think of the consequences. Not since I was a child …
“It’s time for you to decide,” she snapped at me. “Right here. Right now.”
I looked her up and down, noting the clean, loose-fitting pants and shirt she wore, which concealed a body lean with muscle, I was sure. Her boots were stretchy and looked like they could come off in a hurry if need be.
“Well?” she prompted.
“Decidewhat, lady?” I said, a bit annoyed now. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
An impatient sigh followed. “Are you in, or are you out?”
“I’minmy cell, clearly, as are you,” I said, glaring at her as she pulled back a lip in a silent snarl. “Look, lady, I have quite literally no idea what you’re talking about or why you’re here, so I don’t know what you want me to do or say.”
“I’m offering you a chance,” she said, exasperated.
