“Cal gave his life to create that collar,” Edwidge said.“And he loved Baz.No way is Cal letting you go to hurt him.”
“Soooooooo megafucked,” Levin repeated, his smile widening to match Aziza’s.
Although nothing physical had changed, the collar suddenly tightened around my throat, as if Alobaz’s big hands were actively throttling me.It was difficult to breathe.
“Take it off me,” I said.I’d meant my request to be gruff, harsh—that of a warrior unperturbed by such insignificant weapons I knew I’d find the way to slip.Instead, it sounded like a plea to my own ears.Weak.Vulnerable.Broken.
Failing to avenge my brother when I already had failed to save him and my sister.
“Or I’ll murder you twice,” I grit out, now perfectly biting.
But it was too late for that.I knew it.They knew it.
Seasoned soldiers, every one of them, they would have a keen sense for weaknesses and how to exploit them.
They were right.I was fucked.
“Tell me who you are and who your brother is, and I’ll consider it.”
“Fuck off and die already.”
Alobaz’s face was hard, but his eyes were soft when they shouldn’t be.
“I fucking hate you.”
His eyes remained sad, seeing far too much.“I can see that.”
He examined me.I glared back like my eyes were a faithum weapon capable of carving him to bits.
With those stupidly deep eyes on me, he spoke to the others.
“She gets no sustenance, not even water.No blanket.No reprieve from the cold or the darkness.And no answers.Félix, you take first watch.Not sure how Mauldrene will deal with her, so eyes and ears alert.”
“Understood,” Félix the Elf said.
“Ed, you relieve him.”
“Got it,” Edwidge said.
Eyes boring into mine, Alobaz said, “When you’re ready to talk, or to feed, let someone know.You can end your suffering whenever you want.”
“What, no torture?”
“Don’t tempt me.”
As long as you don’t tempt me…
“I’ll do what I have to in order to protect my friends.And this empire,” he added, as if an afterthought.
He stared at me for several beats too long, turned, and left without another word.The others followed him out.
The door shut with a heavy snick.A single heartbeat remained outside while the others retreated.
I would hold out—of course I would.I wouldn’t reveal who I was—and I really wouldn’t—couldn’t.If I did, he’d kill me simply for being a D’Arco, and then he’d go after Alonso and Rafaela and who knew how many others for being associated with an attempt on his life.
But as time slipped past, the scar that would betray me regardless drew nearer to its reveal.
I didn’t want to agree with any of them or anything they said, but it was true: I was majorly fucked.
