Page 108

“Gloves off,” I say as we step up to the tower and I unzip the chalk bag on my belt. The stone will be cold, but it’s dry, and the masonry is solid. We will make it to the top before our fingers give out. We chalk up, then begin the ascent.

A loud click echoes with every step I take, ticking the time until we reach the top. By the time we reach the open window, our fingers are burning. Dean climbs in first, then offers me a hand and pulls me in.

We pause to warm our hands as we look around the room. A sconce illuminates the small space containing only the necessities. My gaze reaches the door, and I walk over. I don’t believe what I see.

Several feet of the most beautiful golden rope I’ve ever seen are secured around the door and a sconce to keep it shut.

Violet’s hair.

I turn to the bed in the corner of the room and look over my slumbering princess in a tower. She’s tucked tightly in thick layers of blankets, only her nose peeking out for air.

“Violet,” I whisper as I gently place my hand on her shoulder. Her eyes shoot open, her hand swinging around from under her blanket. I catch her wrist; she’s holding the necklace I gave her. Blade out. Ready to fight. “It’s me, my Flower.” Her eyes widen, and she slowly sits up. The blanket drops around her, revealing her short hair. It’s chopped close to the scalp in some spots. A sacrifice to get every inch of protection she could.

“Cain?” she whispers. I kneel before her, grab her face, and gently press my lips to hers.

“We’re here for you. We need to go.” I say as I stand, offering her my hand. She moves the blankets, and a knot twists inside of me. They’re not caring for her in the slightest.

She’s lying in a puddle of blood.

Her dress, the blankets, everything is soaked.

She takes my hand, and I help her up. It’s only been four days, and she looks like she’s lost several pounds. Violet looks over my shoulder and smiles at Dean.

“What does it look like out there?” I ask, grabbing a ski mask and slipping it on for her.

“He always has five men on staff; two inside and three out. Roman is posted right outside my door,” she whispers. “It’s locked from the outside. But if I knock, he will open it, he’ll think I need to use the bathroom.” I untie the rope and stuff it in my bag.

“I’m keeping this,” I whisper to her.

“It was your idea…” Her lyric tone hits my heart.

No, my dear. My idea had you tied to the bed.

“Ready?” I ask, gently rubbing her arm.

“There’s no getting out of here without Marcus knowing.”

“I have no intention of letting him go this time.”

“No, Cain. He has Daphne.”

“What?” Dean asks, stepping to my side.

“He took her. He blinded her. We need to get her out of here.”

“We will.” I nod to Dean, and he takes his place behind me. “Stay behind Dean. When we get outside, you stay between us as we make it to the tree line. Dahlia, Mila, and Mikhail are waiting for us.”

Knife in hand, I knock on the door and stay just behind the sight line. When the man steps forward, I throw my arm around, grab his collar, pull him off balance in front of me, and thrust my knife into the base of his neck. He drops to the ground, and we descend the tower’s stairs.

“Their bedroom is at the end of the hall, that’s where the other guard is posted. He’ll see you before you get there.” We walk down the hall; I sheath my knife and pull out my slingshot with a 12-millimeter steel ball bearing. I take a breath, step around the corner, and shoot. He drops to the ground with a thud.

I load another ball bearing, then run and burst through the door. Marcus swings his legs over the side of the bed. I shoot, and he drops to the ground.

“Daphne!” Violet quietly calls to her as she brushes past me.

“What’s happening?” Daphne asks, her breath and body shaking as she sits in bed.

“Cain and Dean are here; they’re getting us out.”