Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Even in a prison full of creatures most humans had nightmares about, Vasilios and Sven were the unusual ones, the unknown, mysterious demons from another dimension whose powers might be far vaster than even the most powerful prisoners inside the stone fortress.
Realising I was staring at them for far too long, I lowered my gaze and hoped to blend in with the crowd. I looked a mess, far removed from my usual put-together self, and I hoped that worked to camouflage me, at least for a little while. I wasn’t ready to approach them, especially not in the state I was currently in. And besides, it would be far too suspicious if I announced myself right away. I needed to make it believable that I’d been convicted of murder and lost everything. I needed Vasilios to think his plan had worked and I’d hit rock bottom.
I sipped a spoonful of soup, and the hair on the back of my neck rose. Someone was looking at me. I cursed inwardly because I’d clearly been spotted, despite my effort to blend in. It seemed nothing new went unnoticed, and since I was sitting all alone at the empty end of the long table, I would stand out.
I tried to focus on eating and looking as pathetic as possible. The hairs on the back of my neck persisted, a tingling sensation skittering down my spine. Why was he still looking at me? Was he intrigued by the fact that his plotting and scheming had worked so well and so quickly? Was he suspicious that I’d been convicted and sent there so fast?
I refused to meet his gaze because a part of me was angry. Imagine if the Guard hadn’t determined that I’d been framed and offered me a chance to go undercover. My entire life could’ve been destroyed, and it would have been his fault. True fury burned within me. The monster who lay dormant inside me struggled to be let free, to lash out and attack.
But no, that was a terrible idea. I was weak, and attacking anyone wouldn’t end in my favour. That was the problem with anger. It was the emotion I endeavoured to listen to the least because it always wanted me to make stupid, impulsive decisions.
When I was done eating, I picked up my tray and stood. I walked in the direction of the exit, but I couldn’t manage to keep my eyes to myself. I glanced at Vasilios instinctively, and a shocking whoosh of air expanded in my lungs. I’d forgotten how bright and blue his eyes were, and right then, they were levelled directly on me. Sven was busy eating, but Vasilios sat still as stone, his gaze inscrutable and unwavering as it fixed on me. His dark blond hair had been shaved tight, the floppy, wavy locks he sported the last time I saw him gone completely. I almost stopped moving, but I forced my feet to keep walking. I made sure he saw the hatred in my gaze before dragging my eyes away and leaving the dining hall.
Outside, I had to lean against the wall for a second to gain some composure. I hadn’t anticipated seeing him would affect me so strongly, but it had. I wanted to burn the entire prison to the ground just to watch him burn. It took a while for me to calm down. I was so lost in the anger that I hadn’t even noticed I’d left the dining area entirely and was almost back to my cell. I was still a little bit amped up because when someone put their hand on my shoulder, I swung around, grabbing them by the throat and slamming them against the railing.
The short, brown-haired man made a choking sound as he struggled in my grasp. I realised he was merely a warlock as I took him in. I released my hold and stepped back.
“Fucking hell, you nearly killed me!” he exclaimed, pawing at his throat as he gulped in air.
“You shouldn’t have touched me like that,” I replied. I mean, come on. We were in prison. Who went around grabbing people by the shoulder and not expecting to be attacked in response?
“Well, I’ve been calling out to you for a good five minutes, and you didn’t hear me, so it was a last resort,” he complained, and then I felt bad. Clearly, I’d been so lost in my anger at Vasilios that I hadn’t even heard him calling for me.
“Okay, well, sorry about that. What do you want?”
“I’m Baker. I head up the boat repair crew, and I’ve been informed that you’ll be working with us starting today,” he said, and it all made sense. I was supposed to be given a job, and apparently, I’d report to him.
“Boat repair crew?” I asked, curious.