Bear refused to answer any questions Kane put to him on their way to the warden’s office, as his mind was focused on one thing: Scarlen.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ bellowed the warden as soon as Bear was presented to him.
Bear waited for Kane and Cardell’s assistant to depart before he closed in to speak his mind. ‘How the fuck am I supposed to look after Smithson when she’s in Red?’ It wasn’t his deal falling apart he was placing on the table. He wanted Scarlen out of Red because he cared about her way more than he thought he would. ‘Pretty sure her father wouldn’t want her in there.’
It was clear Warden Cardell agreed, judging by the look in his eyes. ‘She broke the rules in the War Zone.’
‘Fuck the rules! You’ve been changing the rules of the Zone. How do you justify that?’
Cardell rose from his comfy chair and thumped his chest with his thumb. ‘That’s not on me. The viewers wanted more.’
‘You mean your rich fucking friends thought it would be fun to watch the general’s daughter fight for her life?’ Bear leaned towards the desk between him and the warden. ‘If his enemies are that harsh, then why not send someone in here to kill her?’ He straightened, fists unfurling. ‘Or is that Judd’s quest?’
‘No one is trying to kill Scarlen. She is to be protected.’
Bear couldn’t help but scoff at that remark. ‘How the fuck is she protected? She was sent into the Zone. Twice!’
‘It was unfortunate her name was chosen, that’s all.’
‘Bullshit.’
‘Her father is the king’s general, not the keeper of our prisons. He doesn’t get a say in what goes on in places like this, but if he did, he might want his daughter to be a warrior.’ Cardell’s shrug was slight. ‘Makes sense.’
Are you trying to tell me something?Bear couldn’t be sure if there was a hidden message, not that it mattered. ‘I want her out of Red.’
Cardell’s brows fell together. ‘You also don’t get a say in how things are run here.’
‘If I don’t walk out of here to head straight to Red to take Smithson back to Green, I’ll show you exactly what say I get around here.’
‘Are you threatening me, Vyer?’
‘No, Warden Cardell. I’m giving you a heads-up.’
The warden bared teeth as his eyes flitted between wild and nervous. ‘I can put you in Red, sedate you until you don’t know what year it is, let alone day, forget who you are altogether. Don’t you test me, boy.’
‘Then do it.’ Bear held his stare, no bluff on offer, just pure hate and madness reigned.
It was in Warden Cardell’s best interest to not only show the inmate who was in charge but to also submit to the threat of a riot that would take place if such a leader were to give the word, and word would spread if Bear Vyer was made a Red. Bear wouldn’t have to say anything for his followers to attack, especially the Flames. There was no need to give Varklee an excuse.
‘I was only keeping her there for a week anyway,’ said Cardell, clearly lying. ‘Judd has been healed, and Smithson has been punished. She was due to return to her cell tomorrow.’ He circled a finger in the air. ‘So your little rant was uncalled for.’
Bear relaxed his jaw. ‘I’ll take her myself. Now.’
‘You’ll need to take her to the healer first. She’s been refusing to eat all week.’
It wasn’t so much what the warden said but the way he’d said it, so nonchalant, uncaring for someone who was supposed to be of help to Scarlen.
‘Has the general not been informed of his daughter’s treatment in here?’ There was no sarcasm in Bear’s question, simply curiosity.
Cardell returned to his seat with a heavy sigh. ‘He knows.’
‘And what? He doesn’t give a shit?’
‘Like I told you, he isn’t in charge. She’s to serve her time and go home, like most people in prison. No one can be held accountable for how she decides to spend her days here.’
‘You put her in the fucking War Zone.’ Why did he have to remind him of that?
‘And it will help make a strong woman of her.’ Cardell waved his hand towards the door as though flicking away a fly. ‘You are dismissed.’
