Page 86 of The Heart of a Villain

Then, despite the throbbing pain in my neck and shoulder, I grab the thick lock and insert the wire into it.

“I’m so tired of this.” Tears fall down my cheeks as I twist the pin inside the lock, but no matter how much I try, it doesn’t open. “I can’t do it!” I exclaim, throwing the pin away and sitting on my butt while more tears come.

It’s my tenth attempt, and everyone finished the assignment but me. My stomach grumbles in displeasure, wanting to eat something after spending the whole day here.

All the dads took us on a family camping trip once again, coming up with new assignments for us to finish, from jumping into the lake to finding food in the wild before starting a fire.

The icing on the cake was all this, putting us inside some kind of cage, where we can get out only if we pick a lock.

Most of the kids aced this assignment easily, since Uncle Micaden taught us how to do it, and got out an hour ago.

But me? Despite being the best in everything else, I’m the worst when it comes to such assignments.

Maybe because I don’t understand why we need them all and why I can’t just rely on some good person to save me.

And why would I need saving anyway?

“Stop whining and get to work,” Dad speaks up, making me jump, and I look at him teary-eyed, but it doesn’t sway him.

All the other dads left with their kids, so it’s just us, which sucks, because Uncle Arson can always be swayed.

“I don’t want to, Daddy! I’m thirteen. Why do I need to know this?” I shake the lock. “Let me out! This is cruel.”

Something flashes on his face, his usual gentleness toward me, but the harsh stare replaces it once more, making me swallow. “Get yourself out of the cage, Aileen. Learn that your survival depends on your own skills.”

“But that’s the thing, Daddy. I don’t have any skills.” I lean on the bars. “Please save me, Daddy. You’ve always called me a princess, right? Well, those are saved by knights.” I’m really not even a confrontational type, and the idea of being alone in such a situation scares me. “Please.”

“No.” He perches on the table and orders, “Pick up the pin and get yourself out.”

“Why? I’m not good at this. I’m sorry I failed, Dad, and now you’re the only one who has a daughter who can’t pick a lock.”

“I don’t care about that. You need to learn.”

“Why?”

“Because you are my daughter. You do not have the privilege of not knowing how to save yourself in any situation.”

Twisting the wire in the lock a few times, I bite my tongue, waiting for the perfect click to free myself, while thanking my dad for being so freaking strict back in the day.

Even if I did ignore him after those camps and would pout for days, hating him being so mean to me.

Only now, with the truth out, I can truly appreciate all his teachings.

“What are you doing?” Jesse asks, and I roll my eyes, because seriously?

“Getting us out of here, what else?” Lavender’s voice sounds way stronger and surer than usual.

“But even if she opens it, they’ll be back!” Jesse exclaims.

Valid point, but I have a plan.

“Come on,” I say, twisting the wire a few more times and begging for all that’s holy to let it be quick this time.

Finally, the clicking sound echoes in the basement, and the lock falls as it comes open. “Yes!” I get out of the cage and then quickly motion for the girls to follow, pointing at the other cage holding the butlers, who already sit up straight. “Get them out. Just break the lock with a hammer.”

Jesse nods and quickly runs to pick up a hammer before slamming it into the lock while Lavender grabs another, joining in.

I rush to the weapons table, scanning through their usefulness but mainly which items I can handle.

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