“Maybe, but if Ericks is occupied, flee. Don’t stay here and let them torture you. Banshee, they’re cruel bastards. Sealgair Uilebheist won’t care about your feelings and emotions. In fact, they’d want you to have them so they can hear you scream. Don’t allow them to use you. If you get a chance, run, and don’t look back,” Mitch warned.
“What about you?” Banshee asked. “Why are you here?”
“Because I trusted the wrong man—I was trying to reach the woman I loved.”
“Why would Ericks lead you to her?”
“Because they’re friends. Banshee, don’t worry about that. Just concentrate on getting out of here.”
There were footsteps, and Ericks appeared, wearing a gloating smile. “Look at who’s awake. Are you enjoying your company, prisoner?”
“What do you want, Ericks?”
“Revenge, it’s simple. You betrayed your own blood. You’re a traitor.”
Mitch frowned. “Traitor?”
“Yes. But I’m appreciating the flash drive you kindly presented me,” Ericks sneered.
“Leave Jess out of this,” Mitch warned.
“Why? Jess is beautiful, isn’t she? I bet she’d scream deliciously,” Ericks taunted.
“Jess knows nothing. She’s someone I dated,” Mitch changed tack, and Ericks laughed.
“Is she? Nobody special?”
“Nope.”
“Then why are you giving her a flash drive full of Hunter documents?” Ericks demanded as Mitch frowned again. “If Jess is only a casual lay, why offer her your secrets? Why out your family and the Hunters? No, Jess Mayhew means something, and if I have her, I control you.”
“If you want money, I’ll give you everything I have,” Mitch ground out.
“But what if I want Jess?”
“No!” Mitch launched at the bars, and Ericks laughed.
He slid a plate into Mitch’s hands. “Eat. You’ll need your strength for what’s coming.”
Ericks walked away with a dark laugh, and Mitch looked at the bread and butter.
“Here,” he said, offering it to Banshee.
“What? You wish to torture me, too?”
“No! You stated they’ve not fed you. Eat this while I work on getting us out.” Mitch placed the plate near Banshee, keeping his movements slow, and backed away as soon as he’d set it down.
“Why are you not shocked by my existence?” Banshee demanded, eyeing the food with distaste.
“Because I’m aware people like you exist,” Mitch replied as he bent and studied the lock.
“How? Only Hunters know we exist,” Banshee snapped.
“Banshee, my family are Sealgair Uilebheist, or Hunters as you call them. And I’m here because I’m Neach-brathaidh,” Mitch muttered.
“What is that word? Neach-brathaidh?”
Mitch slowly turned around. “It means traitor. Why so many questions about Jess and me? What is this? Who are you working for?”
