Page 10 of Caged By the Ruthless Thief

I glance at the door. “I need to go. But the short version is that a long time ago, I made some mistakes, and now I’m paying for them. So yes, I’m going to have to do more than save Nico.”

Her eyes widened.

“Yeah, I didn’t think that would be enough for you.”

“What sorts of things do you do?”

“Things other people don’t want to. Respectable people, people like your mate.”

“Nico?” The tips of her lips tilt up.

“Well, maybe not Nico. Holter, then.”

She nods.

“I’m going to go save Nico. I’m sorry about you having to stay in the dark here, but I had to give myself an alibi. One that involves a kraken maiden and a lot of Dragon Ale on the other side of the city. I need it to appear that I’m here sleeping off my indulgences.”

“Couldn’t you get a timer for your lights?”

My smile is back. I fully expected her to ask about the kraken maiden. “I know you want to go back to Glyden. To Holter. But it’s not safe. There are bad people out for you, and for Nico’s family too, I fear.”

With her arms wrapped around her torso, she appears as young as my sister. “I can stay away from the window. Anything else?”

“No, I think that’s about it.” I move close to her. I’m not sure what I expect. Her to jump up on her tiptoes and give me a passionate kiss goodbye?

Instead, she raises her eyebrows again and pats my arm. The same way my old schoolmaster used to do when I was going into a test he knew I was going to fail.

“Right, I’ll be going then.” I give her arm a light punch.

“Sounds great.” She punches me back. “Wait, Eros... I’m really grateful that you’re going to help Nico. I’m just... I’m just confused.”

“I like you too.” I wiggle my eyebrows and lean in and give her a kiss on her forehead. “Be careful. I don’t mean to scare you, but you’re not safe. Well, you’re safer here than you would have been back in Boston. Stay put.” I’m really trusting that she understands the danger she’s in. I don’t know how much more I can spell it out without scaring her to death. I grab my water bag and stop by the door.

“I’ll be here. Promise.” She brushes her hair behind her ear. “I know I haven’t done anything to earn your trust either, but when I make a promise, I keep it. I’ve had too many broken to do that to anyone else.”

My jaw ticks. I don’t like the idea of anyone ever breaking a promise to Annabelle. She gives me another little nod. I’m hoping someday I’ll deserve her kisses more than her light-hearted punches.

“I’ll bring him back.” And I realize after I’ve said it, it’s a promise. A promise I damn well hope that I can keep.

“You will.” Her voice is steady as I pull the door shut behind me.

4

NICO

Ican’t feel my hands. They’re shackled behind my back. I stretch my knees, moving my legs like a clam shell. I’m careful not to tense them up. I must stay relaxed. A silver chain connects the cuffs on my wrist to the ones on my ankles. They’re embedded with Arg-leth, a poison. It’s designed to slowly draw the strength out of the wearer. I’m not letting it go. I’m not giving up. I’ve seen enough males almost dead after the first day from struggling to get out of them. This is about peace, slowing your heart rate, and keeping the enemy at bay. Eyes closed, I focus on my breath. Here, the enemy is yourself. Myself. I’ve slowed my heart rate, so it’s the only thing I hear.

The jostling lets me know we’re moving. I’ve lain on the damp floor for hours. The noise of the government transport, theomada aguvan bajeskåf, has faded into the background.

The voices of the driver and the guards on board drone on. Idle chatter. They try to talk to me, to ease my pain. They’re only trying to ease their own consciences. Two days in shackles like these equals a week without food or water. Three is extreme. Four brings death to most.

I don’t remember being placed in the back of the transport. I remember this morning, the light shining into the hole. Having a guard shake my stiff arm until I grunted. I’d kept my eyes shut to the light since they put me in there.

We arrive at the chasm. It’s a trench, but “the trench” doesn’t put fear into the population. We’ve called it the chasm forever, since we came to this place. No point getting correct now.

Theomadashakes and slows.

“Commander.” The guard clears his throat. “Nico Portsmouth.”

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