Page 16 of Fractured Fates

“That the authorities were as bad as the underworld gangs. Both would want to land their hands on me if they ever learned of my existence. Seems she was right.” I stuff a piece of eggy toast in my mouth. Even if she had told me much more than that I wouldn’t be sharing it with these two men.

“She was wrong. You will be safe with the authorities.” Stone lifts his roll and takes a large bite.

“In a cell?”

“At the academy.”

I hope he’s correct, but right now I’m not sure I believe it. My aunt always had my best interests at heart. She cared for me for as long as I can remember. Nursing me whenever I got sick, always forgoing her portion when we were short of food, teaching me all the magic she knew, taking the blows whenever we were attacked.

She said the authorities can’t be trusted, and I believe her.

For now though, I’ll go along with this situation. Then when the time’s right, I’ll be gone.

Stone lowers his sandwich and meets my eye as if he knows exactly what I have in mind.

6

Rhi

When I’ve eatenevery scrap of food on my plate and forced myself not to lick it clean, the man in black buys me a pastry. I eat the huge sticky thing in about three bites, licking sugar from my fingertips afterwards. Then, despite my protests, they lock me to the bike and we set off again.

The roads we cruise are empty. One or two beat-up trucks are the only other vehicles we pass. It’s not hard to understand why. The tarmac’s all broken up and the two men have to weave in and out of deep potholes.

We ride like this for a few more hours, stopping once to drink water, stretch our legs and relieve ourselves. Then we’re off again, not stopping until the sun dips low and the sky turns a pink that has my breath catching in my throat. I watch the horizon swallow up the daylight as we follow a side road and stop at a motel that looks as run down as the diner did earlier.

There’re a couple of old cars parked out front and some of the rooms have their curtains drawn. A light flickers in the front office and Stone disappears inside, returning a few minutes later with a key.

Only one.

“I’m not sharing a room with you guys,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

“And I’m not letting you out of my sight,” the man in black says, scooping Pip out of the box and following Stone up a rickety staircase.

Damn it! He has my pig. I’m forced to follow. He’s always one step ahead. I chase them up the stairs and into the bedroom, swinging my gaze around in search of Pip. He’s already hidden him out of sight.

“Apparently, there’s a vending machine downstairs. I’m going to pick us out some food,” Stone says, leaving the room.

The man in black unbuttons his cloak and slings it over the back of a chair before slumping down into it and scrolling through his phone.

I peer around the room.

“There’s only two beds,” I point out, relieved there’s no double.

“Phoenix and I will take it in turns to keep watch.”

“Keep watch? You really think–”

“Someone could ambush us again? Yes.” I chew on my thumb. “Don’t do that,” he tells me, not looking up from his device, “it’s a nasty habit.”

I scowl at him. “I can take a turn keeping watch too.”

His dark eyes lift to mine. “And sneak off in the night? No. Besides, you need a good night’s sleep.”

Do I? I guess I haven’t slept well since all this mayhem started. If truth be told, I haven’t slept well since my aunt passed.

“Okay, well, I’m going to take a shower.” I stomp towards the bathroom, fantasizing about hot water and soap.

“Wait,” he says and I freeze in the doorway as he lumbers to his feet. He sticks his head into the bathroom, peering around. There’s one shower, the screen covered in mildew, one toilet and a moldy-looking sink. “I’ll be listening at the door,” he tells me. “Don’t try anything.”