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I struggled against my restraints. They were magnetized handcuffs and there was no way out of them. But if I could wrestle the guards aside, find a little slack and take advantage of it…
I knocked one guard aside, then a second. But as I rose to my feet, a third and fourth guard tackled me to the floor. Half a dozen others leaped on me.
They pressed their weight onto me, driving my helmet hard against the floor. My back ached and I thought my arms were going to snap. And if they did, I doubt I would have even felt the pain. Nothing could compare to the intensity of my breaking heart.
The Supervisor smiled at my reaction. “Oh, yes. I almost forgot. I have a gift for you. Something one of my predecessors left in storage. Although this might not be its original purpose, perhaps it might be of use in this particular situation.”
The Supervisor turned and one of the guards handed him something. As he lowered it into my vision, my heart rate spiked even higher.
It was a helmet. No, not a helmet, but some kind of mask — an iron mask. It was a solid lump of barely tempered metal in only the vaguest shape of a Nor head.
There was a single tiny hole for the mouth and a pair of slits that gave only the barest view of the outside world. I could already feel the claustrophobic effect of it.
The Supervisor held it up. “It reminds me of something I read in a human book once. There’s nothing advanced about it, nothing that can break. And better yet, it will keep your little ability to yourself. You will never escape from your cell. You’ll never again see the open sky or touch your beloved Lily. Although, you may rest assured that many, many other males will.”
I struggled once more but with the press of the guard’s knee on my neck along with the others resting on my other limbs, there was no chance of escape.
The Supervisor left, along with all those not wearing helmets. As they took my helmet from me, I lashed out at them — both physically and with my ability. Neither made contact.
They removed my helmet and placed that gaudy monstrosity on my head.
Then they dragged me to this cell.
I shook my head of the memory. I had relived it a hundred times in the past hour alone.
My cell door creaked as it swung open. Several large inmates marched into my cell, turning sideways as I had to.
I got to my feet and balanced my weight to spring forward and attack — attack was always the best defense.
They were likely there to beat me down — another part of my daily punishment. But they stopped, leaned to one side, and let a bulbous figure waddle into the room between them.
Seeing him sent my blood cold.
He peered at the narrow walls, the bucket in the corner, and the tiny shaft of light from the window above. He nodded. “Finally,” he said, “you are where you belong.”
Druin grinned at me through his broken teeth and chuckled. None of the other inmates joined him.
“What do you want?” I said.
Negotiation was the only card I had left to play, and I wasn’t sure I had much to offer. But sometimes the things you considered worthless could be priceless to others.
“I wanted to come see you were being well taken care of,” Druin said. “I can see I needn’t have worried. Oh, and you might be interested to hear I’ve decided to take part in the championship. I’m the favorite to win too.”
It took only a moment for me to realize what he was saying. The truth was, no one would stand up to him — not when he held the reins of power in the crime syndicate. He would pass straight to the finals and walk into the Prize Pool and Claim her…
Claim my fated mate.
My stomach roiled and I felt myself growing sick. “Don’t do this. Whatever happened between us, it has nothing to do with Lily. Protect her. Keep the pledge Thillak made me.”
Druin snorted. “And why should I do that?”
“Because word of your honor would spread among the inmates. They would respect you.”
“They already respect me!” he spat.
I nodded. “Respect you even more. More than any other boss.”
It was pathetic, but stroking Druin’s ego was something he’d always liked. And when you were in my position, with nothing left to lose, you tried everything you could think of.
