“Fuck.” He tugged the thick wool scarf from around his neck and then a smaller cotton one that protected against friction.
“His too.” I gripped Scar Jaw tighter, ready to cut if needed but hoping I wouldn’t have to. “Both scarves and his gloves.”
Lilac Eyes glowered, but a glimmer of calculation in his eyes told me he was still weighing the odds. His jaw clenched, and then he stepped forward and uncoiled the scarf. He yanked off the gray leather gloves and stepped back.
I was a little disappointed he didn’t take a theatrical bow. He could at least have some personality under pressure. Oh, well.
“Front and center in the cell.” I jerked my head forward to indicate where I meant. “Lay them out on the floor with no sudden moves. I will hurt him if you make me.”
Sighing, he laid the scarves and gloves down between us, fingers lingering like he was calculating if he could lunge.
I tightened my hold on Scar Jaw and shifted the knife enough that Lilac Eyes’ gaze snapped to the blood welling from the last light cut.
“Since that’s done, you’re going to tie your friend’s wrists,” I said.
His brows bunched together. “You think you can force me to do that?”
“I do—otherwise, you’ll be responsible for your friend’s death.” I pitched my voice higher, my tone bright.
Lilac Eyes stared at me, then at Scar Jaw. Something passed between them, but all I could read was anger. Lilac Eyes set the scarves out so that I could see there was nothing else in them.
“You’re dead when the king finds you,” Scar Jaw ground out, voice rough against my arm. “You know that, right? He’ll make it slow.”
I was well aware, which was why these two needed to hurry so I could get on my way. “Then I’d better not get caught. Hands. Wrists. Tie.”
Lilac Eyes knelt, movements jerky, and grabbed one scarf. “Behind him or in front?”
“Behind.” I stepped back but kept the tip of the knife against his throat. I moved swiftly as I turned Scar Eyes, keeping the blade steady and my grip tight. The scratch from the blade tip had left a raised mark, and if I slipped even a little, he’d be in serious trouble. “Crisscross. Don’t half-ass it. If he gets free and kills me later, I will come back from the grave and haunt you personally. I can do that because I’m not like you all. I’ve got powers.”
Scar Jaw snarled, but he didn’t resist as Lilac Eyes yanked his arms behind his back. The scarf wound around his wrists, thick and tight. Lilac Eyes cinched it with more force than necessary.
I smirked. “Wow, good to see you putting so much energy into this.”
“Shut up,” they muttered, almost in unison.
I chuckled. “Now step back.”
Fingers flexing, Lilac Eyes’ breath fogged the air. He was close enough for me to see a tiny scar by his lower lip and a fine tremor in his hands.
“One more thing.” I nodded to his hands. “Your wrists.”
His chin jerked up. “You want me to tie myself up? Really?”
“I don’t need you to go that far.” I smiled brightly despite my insides knotting. The longer this took, the more likely someone else would come. “Yet. You’re going to make two nice loops for me. Big enough to slide over your wrists. Then you’re going to put the loop around one hand and hold the second loop. You’re going to put both your hands behind your back and slide your other hand through the second loop and then step within grabbing distance, and I’ll finish the job. Or,” I added when he opened his mouth, “I can open Scar Jaw’s throat right now and roll the dice on whether you get me first or I get you.”
His lips pressed into a hard line. “You’re a menace.”
“Thank you! That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard all day.” I sighed deeply. “Blue scarf. Loop. Let’s go.”
He yanked the second scarf off the floor, fingers working the blue wool. He tied a loose circle around one wrist, formed another loop, and held it, not pulling it tight, the knot clumsy on purpose.
I had to speed this up. He was stalling. “Higher. If you try something like that again, I’ll stab Scar Jaw here out of pure irritation.”
“Just do it,” Scar Jaw rasped.
Adjusting the knot, Lilac Eyes made the first loop snugger but still with slack while the other hand remained free.
“Good.” I nodded. “Now come here.”
