Chapter 33

Time passed with a dreamlike slowness. I slept in fits and starts, unable to get comfortable on the packed dirt. I was cold and my lower back ached.

The next time I was awake, I explored the cellar, working my way around the outside and counting off my steps until I returned to the door again. My prison was a 10-by-15-meter rectangle (give or take a meter) with a neck at one corner that led to the door and the hall beyond.

On the far side of the cellar, I came across a pair of metal cuffs fastened to the blocks. Lower down I discovered another, single cuff, this one attached to the wall by a thick chain. I shivered, guessing they were silver cuffs. God, vampires could be cruel. No one—even a blood-mad vampire—deserved to be chained up in the dark, unable to move freely.

I needed to pee again. I made my way back to the door and hammered on it until Esposito responded.

"Here." He thrust a plastic bucket and a roll of toilet paper at me. "Take this. And be quiet, damn it," he added in a harsh whisper. "I'll bring dinner when I can."

"When?" I whispered back, clutching the bucket and toilet paper.

"Two, maybe three hours." He glanced around and lowered his voice even further. "It's almost sunset—they'll be up soon. Try not to draw attention to yourself."

I blocked the door before he could shut it. "Please—I need water. I'm so thirsty…"

He blew out a breath. "Fine. I'll get you another bottle but you have to let me shut the door."

Could I trust him? But what choice did I have? I stepped back and he closed the door.

I put down the bucket and toilet paper and leaned against the wall, waiting. The minutes ticked past. I'd almost given up hope when he returned with two bottles of water.

"Stay quiet, okay?" he muttered in a strained voice as he handed them over. "They're up. I heard them moving around."

"Got it." In the hours I'd been in here, I'd calmed somewhat, but seeing how anxious he was, my fears came roaring back.

With the light behind him, I couldn't see his expression, but he ran a hand down his face in a very Talon-like gesture. "I'm sorry about this. I didn't mean—" He shook his head and shut the door.

I stood there, limbs icy, chest heaving, the water bottles clutched to my chest for I don't know how long.

The vampires were up, so Talon was, too. He'd have seen the video by now.

What if he didn't come? Even if he wanted to, Brien might forbid it. Twilight was Brien's mate, after all—and I was only a thrall. Why would they choose me over Twilight?

It was the baby moving that brought me back to myself. That, and the urgent need to pee. I took care of that first, then drank a half bottle of water, conserving the rest for later, even though I was still thirsty.

Beads of sweat prickled my face. I swiped a hand over my forehead.

You could die in here.

They wouldn't even have to kill me. They could simply leave me here to starve.

I had the horrible feeling that Talon's father—because I was sure now that the man helping me was Talon's father—was the only reason I'd been given food and water. If something happened to him, I was fucked. If only I was some kickass slayer like Twilight. I would've given every penny I'd earned as a thrall for that switchblade in my sewing box. Why hadn't I kept it with me?

But I'd been taking a syndicate SUV to my mom and dad's house. Why would I think I'd need a freaking weapon?

I sat on the floor, arms wrapped around myself. God, I hated being this helpless. Hated having to depend on someone else to rescue me.

Talon will come for you.

I had to keep telling myself that, had to keep my shit together.

Surrendering to the fear was letting them win. And they would not win.

Time inched past. I did some yoga, paced back and forth. When Esposito returned, I was curled up on the dirt floor again, half-asleep, but the door opening snapped me awake.

I scrambled to my feet, blinking against the weak light from the hall.

"Here's your dinner." He thrust a baguette and an apple into my hand. His mouth touched my ear and I flinched, but he was only trying to tell me something. "Talon's on his way," he whispered. "I'll come back for you as soon as I can."

I grabbed him. "What's going on?" I whispered back.

A shake of his head. "I can't talk. Stay ready." Then he was gone.

I put the apple in my coat pocket and sat back down, breaking off a piece of the baguette. It was stale, but I took a sip of water and gamely chewed.

There were really only a couple of reasons why Esposito would help me escape, and they all boiled down to a single conclusion.

He didn't believe Talon would be alive at the end of this.