Page 49

A sinking feeling formed in my stomach. I wanted to deny her words, but they had the ring of truth.

The guards hadn't skipped rounds … ever. Or at least not since I'd arrived.

What did it mean?

Liam watched me, brows knitted in a frown, but I looked away.

I wouldn't let him manipulate me into doing what he wanted. And my heart said that was exactly what he'd been trying to do last night with his cruel words.

Tye must have convinced him to help somehow —

The door to our cell block let out a familiar squeak, and all faces turned in that direction.

Everyone held their breath.Was it time?

Several heartbeats passed and there was no banging on the bars like Holden enjoyed, no thrum of guards coming to drag us all out of our cells.

Just a single pair of heavy footsteps alternating between walking and pausing … perhaps stopping at each cell.

But why? And who?

I strained to look, and my stomach plummeted at the sight of a familiar blue uniform.

"You're out of time," Tye growled. "Did that Liam guy convince you yet?"

"What? No — he did not," I snarled, casting a glare towards Liam. "Have we arrived?"

He pulled out keys and began unlocking my cell. "No, not yet. But we're nearing land and almost out of time. You're coming with me."

The door swung open, and I looked incredulously from him to Liam, before crossing my arms across my chest.

"No."

Tye looked angrily at Liam. "I thought you were going to convince her!"

The hairs on the back of my neck pricked, my blood beginning to boil.

"Excuse me, but I make my own fucking decisions," I said, poking a finger into Tye's chest.

His chest rumbled with a low growl, but I ignored it, taking in the prisoners watching us. They were frightened and confused — that hateful side wasn't them … or at least not the biggest part.

And regardless of what they wanted, I couldn't go back to willingly working for Frexin. I just couldn't do it. Not again.

"Sorry," I said, pulling the door closed. "But I can't go with you, no matter what you, Liam, or the others want."

Tye's eyes went wide and his jaw pulsed as he yanked the door back open. "Mage forsaken, Witch! You have NO CHOICE! You MUST leave now!!"

My heart slammed wildly against my ribs and I narrowed my eyes at him, backing further into my dark cell.

I felt surprisingly strong at the moment, something inside of me itching for a fight … refusing to let me back down.

"It doesn't matter what you say,Lieutenant. I'm NOT going."

He growled and stepped closer, hands lifting.

"If you want me," I sneered, "you'll have to come get me."

Tye's yellow eyes flared gold, and he opened his mouth to speak, but the door to the cell block squealed open.