Everything turned silent again, and my skin shivered.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that he might end up doing something stupid. He was always looking after me, ever since his family took me in… I only wished I was of more use to him than a burden.
Slowly, I backed away, turning my attention towards the bag. When I opened it, my eyes widened. He had stolen ten potatoes and two water-skins on the verge of bursting.
“Stupid,” I muttered, my eyes burning with tears that threatened to slip out.
Quickly, I devoured a potato, before taking two big mouthfuls of water. Finally, I hid the bag behind me in the corner of the cell and sat down again.
The silence was eating at me, the slightest movement felt as if it echoed in the space. Then whispers, as if I heard the muffled voices above me, or perhaps there were other people down here after all? Maybe they had gone mad in the darkness.
“If you’re going to ignore me, keep it down,” I mumbled and the whispers ended abruptly.
Weirdos; probably why they were down here in the first place.
My head fell back, leaning against the cold stone, eyes fighting to stay awake. The smell of smoke lingered in the air, like fire consuming a birch log. I inhaled it, the scent giving me some peace of mind, before it twisted, the smell of metal… perhaps copper, taking over. A cold chill went through my spine.
“Bad dreams,kitten?” The voice slithered through the dark, velvet-smooth and venomous. My eyes flew open.
The Lieutenant leaned against the bars, jacket draped over his shoulders like a cloak, hands tucked in his pockets as if he was out on a casual evening stroll. His smirk grew as our eyes met, deliberate, taunting.
My chest tightened. How long had he been there? Had he seen Lionel slip out? No. If he had, Lionel would be bleeding on this floor beside me.
I forced a snort. “Sorry if I don’t salute yousir, I have no respect for liars.”
He let out a low huff, raising a brow, disappointment sharpening his expression. “Two days in chains, and still so proud. Or perhaps you’ve had… help?”
My hands tensed, my brows furrowed in an attempt to look hurt by the accusation. “Will you release me or not?”
His face turned blank, his eyes staring at me as if I had cracked a bad joke. A brief moment of silence passed, before I saw his jaw tensing.
“Why are you here?”
His question stunned me, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or shout.Hewas the one who put me here!?
“You—” I began, rage quickening my pulse.
“Not this cell, I meanhere.”
I clenched my teeth, pushing down the anger that he had stirred. “What is anyone doing here? I’m here to survive, you hardly get any food if you don’t become a soldier. What do you want to know next? My birthday? My favorite color? I don’t think there’s any law that forces me to tell you about personal things unless it’s affecting me as a soldier… Besides, I still don’t even know your name.”
“Maybe I’ll make it a rule, just for you.”
A wicked smirk appeared on his face, making me uneasy as he unlocked the door to my cell and swung it open. I rose to my feet, taking a few steps closer, my hands balled into fists. He was the doorway, there was no way out but through him. It was a challenge.
He took a slow, calculated, step forward and by instinct, I took one backwards. Hesitation filled me, I wasn’t able to read him at all and he was towering above me in this small space. He took another step, herding me towards the wall and my eyes caught the dagger resting in his belt.
“Yes,” he said dryly, amusement coating the word. “Kittensuits you better. Always bristling, always hissing, and striking only when cornered.” His gaze followed mine to the blade, and he clicked his tongue, as if chastising a disobedient pet.
“What do you want?” I clenched my teeth, straightening myself to meet with his icy stare.
He huffed, his breath hitting my face, as he took another step forward and my back hit the wall.
I snapped, grabbed the dagger from his belt and pressed it to his throat. The steel kissed his pulse. He only smiled, calm, unbothered.
“Malakai.”
“What?” I blurted, confused.
