Page 27

Vera

My wrists are still sore from the cuffs. I rub them absently while I wait. The floor is uncomfortable, but I’m not moving and Erik threatened to tear down the bars or walls of any cell they put him in if they didn’t let me stay near him.

With stiff legs, I rise on my knees and twist to look through the window into the little room they’re keeping him in.

He sits on the only piece of furniture in the room—a fold down bed hanging from brackets on the stark white wall. He’s too big for it. He has to perch right on the edge, and as he shifts, the whole thing sags as if it’s about to collapse.

My heart aches for my big, beautiful monster. Can’t they see he wasn’t the villain here?

With cold satisfaction, I think again about the limp and lifeless body of Dmitri lying beside the mangled car. He deserved no better .

I can hardly believe he stooped to kidnapping me himself, only I know he would have wanted to draw out my torture and enjoy my suffering in person.

Finally, the kind old officer who has been in and out to check on me returns with a paper in his hand. “Are you still feeling OK, Mrs. Thorvarsson? I’ve got some good news and some bad news.”

He hands me the paper and I stare down at it, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar English characters.

“The judge set bail. Which means we can release your husband.”

I brighten. This is what Erik needs. He needs me to hold him and reassure him that he hasn’t done anything wrong. “That’s wonderful.”

“But it’s ten thousand.”

I blink. “Ten thousand dollars?”

He nods grimly. “Now I can put you in touch with a loan agent if you want to talk about a loan, but be sure he won’t breach the conditions. That’s an awful lot of money. If you don’t mind me saying.”

I stare at him. Where are we supposed to find that kind of money? “C-can I talk to him about it?”

Officer Adams unlocks the door to Erik’s cell and I quickly explain the situation.

When I’m done, Erik grimaces. “That’s too much. We can’t afford that. I’ll just have to wait until the trial.”

I want to say something comforting, but there’s no sense lying. I have no idea how a monster will be treated in an American courtroom, but I know how this would go if it were in Russia. I would be saying goodbye to my husband right now .

Erik sighs. “Would you do me a favor, Inessa? Could you ring my work and tell them? I don’t know when I’m getting out, but I guess it’s not any time soon.”

He shows me how to find the number in his phone and then Officer Adams has to close the cell again. He offers for me to wait in a more comfortable part of the station, but I know Erik wants me close.

Erik has two numbers saved for work in his phone. The first is the warehouse, but when I call, it goes to an answering machine. The second is a mobile number. A male voice answers after only a few rings. “Yes?” The voice is clipped and I worry for a moment that I've called at a bad time.

“Hello. This is Inessa Thorvarsson calling. My husband, Erik, works for you. He asked me to call to let you know he might not be able to make it to work this week.”

There’s a huff on the other end of the line. “And he couldn’t call himself?”

I bristle. There’s no need for Erik’s boss to be so rude. “No. He couldn’t. He’s been arrested after saving me from being kidnapped and tortured, so he’s a bit busy right now.” I have to admit, my own voice is rather hostile.

“We’ll see about that.” The line suddenly goes dead, and I pull the phone away from my ear to stare down at it. Did he hang up on me or was reception no good?

I’m about to ring back when I think better of it. He has the message. If he’s going to be a jerk about it, then that’s his problem.

I’ve lost track of time when Officer Adams returns with Snickers on her leash. It feels like evening, but I doubt it’s even lunch time. My stomach rumbles to remind me all I’ve had to eat is tea and cookies.

“Sorry, ma’am. It’s the end of my shift and the others said they can’t keep her in the office anymore. She’s chewed up two files and peed on the floor.”

I take the leash and shoot a dirty look at Snickers. She wags her tail and gives me that all-too-sweet look she has perfected for Erik.

Poor thing. I can hardly blame her. She needs a walk.

I can’t keep her here all night. Which brings me to the larger problem of where we’ll stay. Our home is not an option, and I have no money and no place to go.

At that moment, a tall, green-skinned dragon with wings spread wide comes storming down the corridor, a skinny officer hurrying along in his wake. “I can’t understand what all the fuss is about. Nor can I see why he’s had no access to a lawyer yet.”

“Sir, he declined legal advice.”

The dragon rounds on the police officer. “Declined or was bullied?”

I recognize that voice. It’s the clipped tone of the guy from the phone call. How did he get here so quickly, though? Erik said he lives out of town.

Oh right. Dragon !

Snickers breaks away from my hold on her leash and darts forward yipping. I can tell she’s not being aggressive by the way her tail wags furiously, but I’m also a little bit scared she’s going to pee on his shoes with how excited she is.

“Shhh. Snickers! Sidet!”

She sits instantly, looking back at me with a little whine and a lick of her lips.

The bossy dragon finally looks at me for the first time and inclines his head. “Mrs. Thorvarsson. I’m glad to see that someone around here has some sense.” He glares down at Snickers. “You are still a brat, I see.”

She gives a joyful yap, and I think I see the glimmer of a smile at the corner of his mouth for a moment.

“Well...” He turns to the officers who are both standing open mouthed, watching. “Which one of you is going to open this cell and which wants to lose his job first?”

They practically fall all over themselves unlocking Erik’s cell.

Through the window, I see Erik stand and blink at his boss. “Mr. Kivrayn! You didn’t need to come down here.”

Kivrayn huffs. “Someone has to sort this problem out. We’ve got a very important shipment arriving tomorrow. I can’t trust it to anyone else.”

“You know we really can’t—” Officer Adams begins.

“Oh we really can. Once my legal team arrives, there will be hell to pay, I promise you. How could you let this poor woman sit here on the floor for hours?”

How does he know I’ve been here for hours? Oh right. I’m still in my pajamas.

I’ve forgotten to be embarrassed about it .

“I’ve posted bail for the orc and all further requests for information will go through my lawyer from now on. Is that clear?”

Officer Adams swallows. “Yes, sir.”

Kivrayn turns back to Erik. “Come on. I’ve arranged a place downtown for the rest of the week. You can thank me later. Just make sure you’re there on time tomorrow morning.”

Erik grins at me as he comes for a hug, taking Snickers’s leash. “He’s not always this grumpy, I promise. But today I’m glad he is.”

“Me too.” I slip my hand into his larger one and we follow Kivrayn outside the station to where a fancy black limousine is parked, waiting. “Come on, husband. Let’s get you home.”