“Well, do yourself a favor, girl, and forget your mother. She’s not coming back. Kabir won’t let her.” I flinched at the change in her voice, like she was angry. Suddenly terrified, I didn’t want to ask how she knew he wouldn’t let Mama return.
“Can you save me? Take me away from him,” I asked instead.
Zarina’s laugh was louder than the first. “Save you?” She stared at me, her eyes big and scary. “If Kabir belonged to the mafia, he’d be the don of the underworld.” I frowned, not understanding. Slowly, she shook her head. “There’s no saving you, Cinder. You’re what people in my world would call spoiled goods or precious cargo, depending on who you encountered.”
Spoiled Goods? Precious Cargo?“What does that mean?”
She leaned toward me. “Forget about running, girl. You won’t get far; even if you do, he’ll hunt you down. No one defies Kabir and gets away with it.” For just a moment, she looked sad. Then she sat back. “The best thing I can do for you is find you a new Master.” She looked out the window again and laughed.
I didn’t like that sound. It made my skin feel funny, scratchy.
What happened to the nice lady who’d combed my hair and dressed me?
As I shifted my gaze away from her turned head, I noticed Luke glancing at her over his shoulder. Because there wasn’t much light, I couldn’t see his expression. Was he her friend or Master’s guard?
I tried to forget her words then she looked at me and sighed. “I’m sorry, Cinder, I shouldn’t have said those things.” She smiled. “I can’t save you from my brother. I don’t think anyone can. He’s always one step ahead and has deep connections to people who cover his back no matter who goes against him. I wish I could get one up on him for a change.” She looked sad again, and I squeezed her hand, saying nothing.
Trying to enjoy the ride, I looked out the window. It was dark, and I saw many different colored lights in the distance. I wondered if we were going there and couldn’t wait to explore. Then the car turned, forcing me to look out the back window, and as we drove further away from the lights swallowed up by more darkness, I wondered if this represented my first experience out of my cage.
Master might be cruel, but at least he gave me light, food, and shelter. I’d waited for this moment for so long, what waited for me once the car stopped?
Chapter 4 – Cinder
Blackhall wasn’t acastle, but the inside was everything I expected. My breath stalled in my throat, my eyes couldn’t move around the room fast enough, soaking up the tall pillars, cream walls filled with paintings, high ceilings, dark brown carpet, and beautiful chandeliers I read about in my stories. The room was so huge and filled with so many people dressed in pretty clothes, it took me back to how Cinderella must’ve felt at the ball.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Zarina squeezed my hand lightly.
I nodded. “So pretty.”
“You don’t think it deserves a smile?”
I tried to, but I couldn’t force my lips to take the shape of hers. As if my subconscious knew this visit was short-lived, it prevented my body from wanting to react.
“Don’t worry, it will come when it’s ready.” She took my hand. “Come.”
After she walked me around for a bit, I waited while Zarina chatted with her staff. The waiters and waitresses, dressed in all black, I found their jobs fascinating. How they walked the floor carrying drinks on a tray had me wondering how they didn’t spill any.
