For a few seconds, she says nothing.
“What—” she gasps before stopping. “Why are you down here?”
“It’s a long story,” I sigh.
Fi shrugs. “We have time.”
“I’ll give you the quick version,” I say, not wanting to dive into the details of my past.
“Okay,” she whispers.
“When I found my mate, I knew I had to protect him from my father. He found out about us and he?—”
My throat dries out at the flashbacks that haunt me.
“He nearly made me kill him,” I say through gritted teeth. “And I promised to come with Ryker if he left my mate alone. I couldn’t risk seeing him hurt or being forced to do unspeakable things to him. I didn’t know this was what I’d be walking into.I shouldn’t have expected anything less, but I wasn’t thinking at the time. All I knew was I needed Evan to stay safe.”
I allow my head to hang low as Fi’s eyes bore into the side of my face.
“I’m sorry, Caleb,” she says sincerely.
“Me, too,” I say with drooping shoulders. “He made me reject him.”
Fi nods. “I know what it’s like to have that bond ripped from you.”
The lump in my throat returns. As much as the rejection tore through me, at least I know he’s still alive. I can’t imagine what she’s going through.
“If he stays unharmed, then you know you’ve done the right thing.”
“Yeah,” I whisper vacantly.
“It’s coming up to the end of the week.”
I frown at her. “What do you mean?”
She raises her fingers and brushes the wall behind her. My eyes flick over the lines that have been carved into the brick.
“Every week, he takes a random prisoner and kills them as part of a sacrifice."
“Sacrifice?”
“He believes that he gets stronger every time he sacrifices a wolf. His powers get even deadlier. There have been nine so far. Everyone is on edge.”
I stare at her for a long, long moment. I don’t even know what to do with the information. But nothing surprises me when it comes to him and his delusions.
“Has anyone tried to escape?”
“Tried.” She nods. “And failed. This place is under watch at all times.”
I glance out of the cell at the others who are sitting in silence. “You said you know this place like clockwork.”
“Caleb, it’s not worth it.”
“I think I’d rather die trying than nothing at all.”
Fi’s eyes glow in the darkness.
“Are there only four guards?”
