Page 115

When she reached the front, she studied the two men distributing the food. Their hair was closely shaven, and they wore slim, grey uniforms that covered their entire bodies, including their necks.

But their expressions were too blank. Too empty as they mindlessly scooped food.

“What’s in this?” she dared to ask.

The two men didn’t speak. One of them slid his empty focus past Khalani, as if she didn’t exist, and stiffly handed her the bowl. The other looked directly at her, but his gaze was lifeless.

She swallowed, hands trembling as she grabbed the bowl and swiftly drew back.

“We have to find Jack and get out of here,” Khalani whispered to Takeshi. “Did Raziel give you any indication of who he might be?”

Takeshi shook his head.

Prisoners were scattered around the cavern, some eating alone while others huddled in small groups. Just as Khalani was about to find an empty spot to sit, she noticed the girl who’d helped them earlier sitting against the rock wall beside an older man, possibly the oldest man in the camp.

“Let’s go over here. She might be able to help,” Khalani said.

Takeshi’s gaze narrowed, no doubt preferring to maintain his distance from everyone, but he nodded and stuck close, clutching his bowl like he was prepared to break someone’s jaw with it.

The girl from earlier had her blonde hair pulled up into a disheveled ponytail as she sipped the food. Beside her sat the old man, his grey goatee and wrinkled skin matching his hunched over, frail back. His veiny hands trembled as he clutched his bowl, some of the liquid dribbling onto his beard.

When Takeshi’s and Khalani’s shadow fell over them, the girl glanced up with a deep frown, setting her bowl down cautiously.

“Can we sit with you?” Khalani spoke first.

The girl’s lips set in a thin line, her calculating gaze shifting between Khalani and Takeshi. The silence stretched on as the old man stared at his hands, admiring the silver ring on his finger, petting it adoringly.

“I don’t know,” the girl started. “He doesn’t look very friendly.” She pointed at Takeshi.

“He is,” Khalani lied with a forced smile.

“I’m not,” Takeshi responded at the same time.

Khalani shot him a glare that spoke of imminent murder, but Takeshi simply yawned.Yawned.

But the girl seemed pleasantly surprised by his honesty and snorted. “Me neither. Have a seat.”

“Thanks.” Khalani quickly sank to the ground before the girl could change her mind. “Do you mind if I ask why you helped us earlier?”

The girl waved her hand dismissively. “That was only because I didn’t want to hear you scream and break your vocal cords when they shocked you for missing Dr. Strauss’ inspection.”

Khalani gulped, brushing her hand along the metal cuffs. “How the hell do we get these things off?”

“You can’t. If you try removing them without the right device, they’ll pierce your wrists with metal shards. You won’t die immediately, but you’ll bleed out over several hours. I’ve seen it happen.”

Takeshi set his bowl down. Harder than necessary, his forearms bulging. Apparently, that put a wrinkle in the alternative escape plans he was no doubt brewing.

“What’s your name?” Khalani asked.

The girl didn’t answer right away. The awkward silence stretched forever, but whatever the girl found in Khalani’s eyes must’ve satisfied her, because she answered.

“I’m Elise. This is my father, Clyde.” She turned to the old man, her eyes softening. “Dad, can you say hi?”

Clyde stared at the ground, mumbling over and over, “Key. Ring. Save. Key. Ring. Save.”

Elise heaved a deep sigh, the crestfallen expression apparent on her face as she mumbled, “Sorry. My dad’s not feeling the best these days. What about you?”

“I’m Khalani. This is Takeshi,” she said, absently tilting her head toward him, forcing a smile. Takeshi, on the other hand, offered his all-time favorite greeting—a long, uncomfortable glare.