‘I’m not allowed.’Which is another reason I ran away.
‘Right, well, in here, you’re Scarlen Smithson. Stay that way and you’ll be safe.’
The scoff came out before she had time to think. ‘I’m in prison. How will I be safe?’
Warden Cardell looked almost insulted. ‘You’re to go back to your cell now. All will be well.’
There were many things to say, but there was no point. All punishments from her father were cruel, and she figured this was his way of scaring the living daylights out of her. But onething she did know, the warden was on her side. At least, she hoped. He was under the king’s orders, so surely he would make sure she was kept safe in prison. Had Milon been safe or had he fought for his survival?You should have told me, Milon.
Miss Goolan eyed her suspiciously on their walk back to Green Block Two. ‘Who died?’
‘Aunt.’
‘You don’t look upset.’
‘I never liked her.’
Miss Goolan blew out a small laugh. ‘Cold, Smithson, cold. You’ll fit in well around here.’
She needed a distraction. Something to stop her insides from trembling, to halt the nausea twisting her gut. ‘What are the other reasons you get to see the warden?’
‘If you’re one of his snitches or you’re causing too much trouble.’
Handy to know.
Miss Goolan brought her to a stop at one of the barred doors, as another guard was leading an inmate through the door to its side. ‘I thought he was supposed to be out all night.’
The chatter between the guards about lightning, the metal parts of the pillory, and the warden’s orders faded as Scarlen met Bear’s glare.
Whoa, he really does have silver eyes.
She held his stare, not wanting to show weakness by looking away first. His hair was dripping streaks of water to each defined muscle on his torso that she could clearly see through her peripheral vision.
Miss Goolan was still talking as the staring competition continued.
So you’re the one who was going to kidnap me. And do what exactly?
She almost snarled at him and was quite sure an eyebrow quirked her way in return. The thought of punching him in the face didn’t go amiss, but at the difference in height she’d be better off aiming for his solar plexus, which still could be problematic, judging by how solid he was.
Both Dionne and the warden had advised she keep her head down and simply serve her time. The Rebels didn’t know her, she was as safe as anyone on Horstal Island, and so it was for the best she didn’t go around eyeballing people. So, against her will, she looked away, then immediately regretted it when she heard a short mocking huff.
‘Move, Vyer,’ said the male guard holding him.
Bear glanced over his shoulder as he was led away, his cold stare directed at Scarlen, and a shiver ran down her spine as realisation hit hard. With or without bars, she would never be free, and even without her father’s input, there would always be someone out there wanting to hurt her.
2
‘Monday morning, rise and shine,’ shouted a female guard as lights lit up the cells, waking all inmates for the day.
Within fifteen minutes, every cell door had noisily slid open, and all prisoners stood in their doorways ready for the first headcount.
Dionne looked fit for bed, and even Scarlen had to stifle a yawn.
Perusing the cells opposite, she counted five in total, same as her side, perhaps ten above and below as well. She figured it was the same in the men’s section. Hardly any of the women looked up for a conversation, and Scarlen wasn’t sure if that was down to choice.
‘Showers,’ yelled the guard, and Scarlen followed the line, piled clothes in hand, as instructed.
There was some chatter in the shower chamber as people started to wake, and a few glances were cast towards Scarlen, but only because she was new, Dionne assured her.
