CHAPTERFIVE
I walked up another set of iron stairs. My wrists stung from the dark, rough rope holding them captive behind my back. The pointed end of a sword pressed between my shoulder blades. My kidnapper climbed the stairs behind me. This train cabin was ancient, rust discoloring the outside, but the clean blue energy powering the transport was thrumming with perfection.
I stopped just inside the train, my eyes scanning the interior. There were two seats inside, the rest bare. My frightened eyes snared on a female on her knees and facing the far wall. With her hands tied behind her back as well, her forehead rested against the wall as if she slept or was unimpressed with being held prisoner.
My eyes snapped to my captor. “Who are you?”
His sword swung to the other woman. “Go over there. On your knees and keep your mouth shut.” The mask didn’t allow me to see any of his features, except for his brown eyes. “I need you alive, but that doesn’t mean your body has to be in perfect condition for this.”
I snapped my mouth shut with his threat.
I fisted my hands inside their binding and hurried to the woman. My dress snagged on my knees. However, I managed to land on said knees without injury, facing the wall. Our kidnapper tapped a destination onto the panel, the door shut, and the old train jerked slightly as it started to travel. I sucked in a sharp breath when he squatted behind me and tugged on my arms, pulling them up.
“What are you doing?” I mumbled, my face hitting the wall. “I did as you ordered.”
“Actually, you’re still talking,” he grumbled.
I held still as he pushed the rope just a little. My lips thinned as he began messing with my silver bracelet on my right wrist, the one item my parents could track if they needed to.
“He took mine too,” the woman grumbled in annoyance, her forehead still against the wall and staring at the floor. “Do you know how long the line is at New City Hall to get another one of those? And the fine I’ll have to pay?”
“Shut. Up.” The man grunted and removed my only protection. He released my arms and stood to his feet, only to sit on one of the chairs. “You two don’t listen very well.”
I pulled my face back from the wall and peeked at the woman. I hesitated to rebel against our captive’s dictates, but if this woman knew something I didn’t, I wanted to know it.
I whispered, “Why aren’t you scared?”
She sighed and turned her head, her forehead still leaning against the wall. Her blue eyes, not unlike my own, stared directly into mine. She mumbled, “I’m sure my dad is up to this, another one of his ways to torment me. We won’t be hurt—not seriously, anyway. When he’s done having his fun, we’ll be released.”
I pulled my brows together. I kept my voice down, even though she hadn’t. “Why would your father have you kidnapped? Or have me taken?”
I didn’t know this woman.
“Because he’s a twisted sonofabitch. He enjoys watching me suffer.” A black brow lifted. “And bringing you, a complete stranger, is to show me he has no mercy. He can find me anywhere, do anything to me, and bring innocent people along for the ride if he wishes it to happen.”
I stared. “You should contact the CA about him.”
“I’ve given up on them. There’s never proof.”
“Oh.” My mouth gaped open.
She turned her head to stare back at the floor. She breathed in exhaustion. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry this is happening to you.”
My lips thinned, overwhelming sympathy for her as I lowered my tense shoulders—even given my predicament. “And I’m sorry you have him for a father.”
She grunted as she peeked at me again. Her guarded eyes scanned my face for sincerity, finding it easily. A strand of her black hair fell across her left eye. “I’m Megan Marshall.”
I attempted to smile, though it probably resembled a grimace. “My name’s Mina Kramer.”
Our ‘captor’ kicked my feet from where he was sitting messing with my bracelet, tiny tools in one of his hands. “I won’t say it again. Keep quiet. Or I’ll start removing your tongues so you can’t speak any longer.”
My nostrils flared in alarm. That sounded like a ‘serious’ injury to me, even if Megan didn’t think losing body parts was. I scooched closer to her, removing my person from his kicking range.
The man’s chuckle was smug. “And just so we’re all clear on one fact, Ms. Marshall’s criminal father has nothing to do with this. Absolutely nothing.” He eyed both of us as we snapped our attention to him. It sounded as if he were smiling as he stated simply, “Master wants to test both of you.”
