Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Anna stepped back from the cell. “Before the storm I was standing in that very room and it was empty.”

Was she having some kind of an out-of-body experience? It was damp here, so there must be mold and the spores were causing her to hallucinate. Inside the formerly empty room was a man. Dressed in period clothing, he was seated at a table with what looked like bread and a goblet. There was a bed in the room, and as she stood there with her mouth open, other sounds reached her ears.

The sounds of voices. Yet none of them sounded happy. These were the sounds of broken men.

“Are you part of the tour? Do people pay extra for this experience?” She tried to see out the small window in the cell. It was dark. “You’re way past schedule. This place has been closed for hours.”

No. There was nothing in the brochures, and the way she’d found this place…no way they’d let tourists move through secret passages. So what was his deal ?

“How did you get in there?”

The man chuckled. “The king’s men provided my accommodations. All of us are awaiting our deaths.” He stalked over to stand in front of her.

Was the door locked? He might be some kind of psycho.

“The guards are occupied playing cards and will soon be in their cups. They did not bring you in to please them. I ask you again, lady. How did you come to be here?”

Anna swallowed and took a step back. The tone of his voice made her look around for help. He might be locked up, but she was feeling like the one in a cage.

Her teeth started to chatter. “I got lost and somehow came through the passageway that brought me here. But there was no one here before the storm.”

“I can assure you, lady, I have been here a fortnight and this is the first time I have seen one such as you. For I would remember your face.”

She slowly turned in a circle, peering into the other cells. Each one contained a man. Some looked worse off than others. They looked and smelled very authentic. What was happening? Something was very, very wrong.

“I’m not sure what you’re doing here, but I have to go.”

The man peered at her through the close-set bars. He had long blonde hair down to his shoulders and kind brown eyes. Anna sucked in a breath as she got a good look at his face. The guy could rival any movie star in the looks department. Her breath whooshed out and relief flooded through her veins.

“I must have fallen asleep. You’re filming a movie, aren’t you?” Now it made sense why there would be people here after hours. A rational explanation always made her feel better. She looked around but didn’t see any cameras or any movie-looking people. Had she ruined their shot? Maybe they were on a break.

The man took a step back. “Are you unwell? I have heard tales of prisoners here who have lost their wits. Perchance you are lost and should go back to your cell, lady.”

Replaying the words over, making sense of what he said, Anna scowled.

“I’m not crazy. And I’m certainly not wasting another moment talking to you.” She spun on her heel then faltered. How did she get out? There wasn’t a lighted exit sign anywhere.

The chuckle she heard infuriated her. Anna rarely lost her temper. She couldn’t remember the last time she was really angry. But something about this man made her furious. She knew she wasn’t much to look at, but did he have to be such a jerk? Making fun of her looks and saying he’d remember her face. And what was up with the “wits” remark? Just because you got lost didn’t mean you were crazy.

It seemed to be getting warmer. Anna stomped back over and pointed at him through the bars.

“You listen here: just because I ruined your scene doesn’t mean you have to be such a jerk. It isn’t nice to call someone crazy. I’m having a really bad day.”

Instead of throwing something, she took a couple of deep breaths and looked to the end of the corridor. There were torches burning on the walls, and as the light flickered she made out another door. It was open.

At this point she didn’t care if they arrested her for staying in the tower after hours. Or for ruining whatever movie they were shooting down here. Movie stars. Arrogant, good-looking jerks.

“My apologies, lady,” came the soft voice.

Why did his voice have to sound so sincere? She stopped.

He spoke again. “The ring of keys hanging on the wall. Take them and set me free. I will help you find your way back to wherever you need to go. You have my word.”

The keys hung on an old black iron ring. They looked old, and she had to give the movie people credit. Everything looked authentic. She loved going to the movies. But Anna always refused to watch the behind-the-scenes specials. No sense in ruining the magic. Instead, she liked to believe everything just happened. There was something about knowing how it was done that took all the fun out of it. Made it harder to suspend belief.

This man sounded like he could help, and given her bad luck so far in trying to find the exit, she could use some help. He might be a spoiled movie star, but she was willing to accept his offer if it got her out and on the way back to her hotel. All she wanted was a bubble bath, a pizza, and a gallon of root beer.

The keys were heavier than they looked.

“Wow, I would’ve thought they’d been made of plastic.”

“Plastic? Lady, you speak strangely.”

“Whatever.” Anna stuck her tongue out at him. “Keep making fun of me and I’ll leave you here.”

He hadn’t made a move to open the door. Would the movie people really lock the actors in the cells in between scenes? Maybe it helped them stay in character. Who knew? She didn’t have a clue what went on during the shooting of a flick. Though didn’t the guy in those Lord of the Rings movies sleep with his sword outside during filming? From what she’d read, actors were an odd bunch.

The first key didn’t fit the lock, so she tried the second and third. The fourth one clicked and turned easily.

“I didn’t think I’d ever find the right key. You would think they’d all be the same.”

The door swung open and he put a finger to his lips. “Quiet. We must leave without being heard.”

Okay, she’d play along. Anna pursed her lips and stood back to let him out. He was really tall. She only came up midway to his chest. Typical movie star—he had the most perfect physique. Muscles in all the right places, and that gorgeous, to-die-for face. And the voice. His voice rasped over her and made her feel all warm and comfy inside. He must be six foot or six foot two. And, of course, he was the total stereotypical blonde god. The kind of man who would never look twice at someone like her.

A perplexed look on his face, he pointed to the door. “Shall we go, mistress?”

“Yes, let’s.” She made a face at his back and followed him through the doorway into the gloom.