“Does it look like he needs saving?”
“How about we let him decide?”
“Prisoners of war rarely get to decide.”
“If you consider him a prisoner of war, then yes, hedoesneed saving.”
Hector smiles, looking mildly impressed. His normal appearance makes it easy to forget he’s a monster, but I know firsthand that monsters come in all shapes and sizes.
“I’m beginning to understand why Caden jumped to save you. His heart almost exploded when he recognized you.”
I can imagine.“Will I be allowed to see him?”
“You just revealed to me that you have sneaked into my city to help him escape.”
I cross my arms. “If I’m your prisoner, then I’m not going to help anyone escape.”
“True, but you clearly are a sneaky little bugger, and I haven’t yet decided what to do with you.”
I see his point, so I don’t push. Only yesterday, I was coming to terms with my unavoidable death, so I should be smart about choosing my battles. “Will I be staying here?”
“Clint claims you belong to him.”
My face flushes in anger. “I’d kill him before I let him touch me again.”
“Well, you’ve proven to be more than capable of taking someone’s life, so I believe you. And yes, you will be staying herefor now, as long as you don’t give me a reason to change my mind.”
I nod, finding myself grateful despite everything. “Thank you. Am I allowed to leave this apartment?”
“Alone? Of course not. Are there any others you’re supposed to meet in the city?”
“No.”
“I don’t like liars, Finn, unless it’s me doing the lying.”
I place my palms on the table and hold his gaze. “I have no one to meet in Denver. I’m alone here. Can’t you sense if I’m telling the truth?”
He narrows his eyes. “I do, but I don’t blindly count on my instincts. Tell me, was last night your first time in the arena?”
My heart skips a beat, knowing where this is going. “I’ve never fought there before.”
He smiles. “You know that isn’t what I’m asking.”
I try to keep my expression stoic. “I’ve only been there once since I got here, and I didn’t stay long.”
Hector leans forward on the table. “Interesting. You see, a few days ago, I felt a piece of my past after many, many years. It was faint enough that I dismissed it as an unexpected memory, but now… now I’m wondering if perhaps you know me a lot more than you let on. Am I right?”
“I don’t know anything.” Even in my own ears, the lie sounds feeble. Hector stands up sharply and walks around the table. He grabs my hair and pulls me up, then drags me toward the glass wall.
“Stop!”
He presses a button that slides open the glass, letting in a gush of cold wind. I try to escape his grip, but he shoves me backward until I start to fall. Faster than I can blink, he grabs my hands, leaving me to dangle from the ledge.
I scream, my body fully outside the window. The only thing stopping me from plummeting to my death is Hector’s firm grip, but he can let go at any second.
“I distinctly remember telling you I dislike liars, Finn.”
“I’m sorry! Pull me up!” Every one of my bruises pulses in agony as gravity pulls me down.
