Page 73 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“You’re going to kill me eventually, so why not go down fighting?” I throw a sarcastic smile his way, and maybe it’s the lack of food and water, but I swear he looks impressed.

“All you have to do is tell us where the others are and we’ll let you go.”

So, they’re looking for other people. Has Julian sent others to try to take down the prince? It wouldn’t surprise me. I wonder how many died before me trying to get the job done.

I wonder,Athriel drawls.

I tip my head back and laugh, trying to ignore the pain it sends through my chest.

“Yeah, right, that’s my only bargaining chip right now. I killed your prince. You’ll kill me the first chance you get.”

He shrugs. “True, but at least this way it’ll be a quick death. You keep up this little game, and a few of the others won’t hesitate to start torturing you.”

I push my body off the wall and look him dead in the eyes.

“I look forward to it.”

He shakes his head in disbelief, but he doesn’t hide his smile either.

“You’re pretty badass for a human, I’ll give you that, Red.”

I squint my brow. “Red?”

He shrugs again. “You used your blood to poison the prince so…Red. Feels like a fitting name.”

I go to correct him and tell him that it was black at the time, but this may be one little secret that I still hold. If they don’t know exactly how I poisoned him, then there is every chance that I can take down a few more of them. All I need is something sharp and a way out of these shadow bindings.

“Well, it sounds stupid,” I say, and a smile twists the tawny beige skin of his face. For the first time, I realize how alike he and the one he called Kaia look. Except where he seems playful and happy, she is cruel and deadly. The thought of them makes my mind wander to Willow. My gut twists in response, fear trickling through me as I wonder if she may be in a similarsituation. Gods, I hope not. I would tear this entire realm apart to get to her if she is.

But Amabel made a promise. Not that I trust her, but for now, that’s all I have—the only thing I can truly hold on to. I have to believe that killing the prince is keeping Willow alive, because if it isn’t, then I truly have nothing left.

The days go by in a blur, and I almost lose sight of what life was like before this cell. My only company is Athriel and the dripping water.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Kaia came back the day after she first graced me with herdelightfulpresence, but this time the blond male was with her. His name is Eamon, General of the Royal Guard. He doesn’t speak much, but I’m pretty sure he only came down to make sure Kaia didn’t kill me.

Piper made her first appearance a few days ago, and I almost laughed at the obvious technique these fools are using. Send in the one who seems sweet and kind. Oldest trick in the book. They think it’ll help to break me down, but it only proves that whatever information they think I have is too valuable to kill me over.

Piper just arrived a few minutes ago, and now she is wrapping a bandage around my arm, covering a cut I received when I tried my luck with the shadow bars of my cell. They look wispy, but they are sharp as hell. I learned that today when I tried to squeeze between them. She’s being ridiculously gentle as though I’m a piece of glass. If only she knew that even if I were made of glass, I’d use myself to slit her throat. I nearly felt guiltyearlier at the thought of killing her, and that was my clear sign that I needed to get the hell out of here. Vampires are master manipulators. It’s how they reel us in and then take the kill. I don’t trust a single one of them, especially ones who appear to be nice like her. In fact, they’re the most dangerous of them all.

Yet, I do look forward to her visits since they’re the only ones where I receive food, and I need all I can get if I plan to get out of here. I wince as she wraps the bandage a little too tightly, and her hands instantly still.

“Sorry, did I hurt you?”

I keep my eyes on her. I can actually see her through both of them now since she’s been applying some kind of ointment to the swollen one.

“I know why they sent you in. Give me food, tend to my wounds, make conversation. It’s all very clever, but you can tell your little friends that it won’t work. Let me leave, and you will receive the information you want.” The lie falls off my tongue with ease.

“That’s not a decision I can make.”

I scoff. “You’re a part of the royal guard, aren’t you? Surely your opinion stands for something.”

She shrugs, and sadness flickers across her face, but it’s gone before I can even think on it.