Page 40 of They Will Fall

Maybe she ran into some friends. Then again, she said she’s a loner. I can’t imagine she’s hanging out with anyone, especially when she knows I’m here waiting for her to return.

A thunderous knock at the door has me jumping up from the bed. Light-headedness ensues and I clutch the nearest wall for support until the feeling passes. It's a telltale sign that my body needs food. The last thing I ate was a pack of pretzels this morning that nearly killed me.

“Coming,” I say loud enough for Temper to hear. At least, I assume it’s Temper. Now, I’m not sure. Once I reach the door, I press my ear to it. “Who is it?”

There’s no response. Not a single sound can be heard.

I try again, hoping for a sign that it’s Temper. “Is someone there?”

Still nothing.

I can only assume it was a delivery and the sender left. I pull open the door just to be sure, but just as it comes open, I’m shoved back and someone else comes in.

Only, it’s not Temper.

Before a scream can even leave my mouth, a hand holding a cloth is smacked over it. I gasp and sputter, trying to get words out as my body tries to fight, but it’s no use.

Help me,I silently beg as everything goes black.

* * *

My eyes flutter open, and in a disoriented panic, I take in the scene. Shiny leather seats with tinted windows. Outside is nothing but endless fields. The second I try to move the hair from my face, I gasp at the realization that my wrists are bound together with a scratchy rope.

“Did you have a nice nap, Riley?”

My blurry eyes catch a pair of bluish gray ones in the rearview mirror. I blink a few times until more of his face comes into view.

“Who are you?” I ask through dry vocal cords while the scent of a cigar fills my nostrils.

He dubs out his cigar into an ashtray between the two front seats. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you. I have to say, it's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

My throat tightens as I hear my own voice echo in the enclosed space. “What do you plan to do with me?”

“I’d just like to talk. That’s all.”

“Are you…” I choke out. “Are you a Blue Blood?”

“I am.” His eyes soften as if he senses my disdain. “Don't worry, dear. You’re in good hands. I’ve come to help you.”

It’s hard to believe I’m in good hands when mine are literally tied. I suppose it’s possible he’s just worried I’ll try to escape like I did with Maddox.

“Do you know where my friends are?”

“The girl you were with? Temper, I believe, is her name?”

How does he know Temper?

“Her. And the others.” I’m not sure if he knows who I’m talking about, but I’m not sure how else to ask him who sent him.

“If you’re referring to Lev, I was hoping you could tell me that.”

“I…I have no idea. I haven’t seen Lev in a couple days.”

The car takes a sharp turn to the right, then the mysterious driver presses his foot firmly to the gas pedal, picking up speed.

Fear grips my chest. “Sir,” I say softly, but he ignores me and accelerates even faster. “Sir!” I shout over the roar of the engine.

“Did you kill Governor Saint?” He howls like a madman as he drives at full speed down the desolate road we’re on. Bumps in the road cause my body to jolt back and forth until my head is spinning.

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