Chapter Eleven
EVE KNEW she wasn’t walking into Thurland Castle naked. Okay, so she had no tech so the team could listen in, but she had Hashtag and Roadkill to relay everything Theron said.
That’s if he’ll see me.
Hashtag’s voice was warm. He’ll see you, honey. But remember, stick to the story.
She walked at a brisk pace along the road that led to the castle. Before she reached the imposing gray stone archway across the moat, she paused at the statues of two lions that flanked her way. She patted the head of one of them.
For luck, okay?
Eve hadn’t been worried about this part of the mission, but she’d woken up with an unexpected case of the jitters.
This could all go horribly wrong.
She shoved the thought from her mind. Negative thinking was not going to help the situation. She marched up to the gateway, shoulders squared, back straight as she crossed the moat.
It’s a beck. Give it its proper name , Roadkill quipped.
And who taught you that? Eve demanded. Now is not the time for a geography lesson. Then she caught herself and realized what she had just done. I’m sorry. I guess I’m really nervous.
We’re always with you , Hashtag reminded her.
That helped calm the tremors. She shoved the thoughts from her mind once more and did her best to breathe evenly. A guard appeared, and she knew from the bulge in his jacket that he was armed.
“Can I help you? The castle isn’t open to the public.”
One sniff told her the guy was a shifter, and Eve recognized the moment he got a whiff of her.
“I’d like to see Theron, please.”
The guard blinked. “There’s no one here by that name. ”
She smiled. “I think we both know that’s not true. So let’s cut to the chase. Call the castle and tell Theron I was with Fielding when he died. Trust me, he’ll want to see me.”
The guard gave her a doubtful glance. “What’s your name?”
“Eve Duncan.”
“Wait here.” He stepped out of sight, and Eve’s stomach chose that moment to start churning.
What if he doesn’t take the bait?
He will , Roadkill assured her. His curiosity will get the better of him. You’ll see.
You know what they say about curiosity. It killed the cat. Is it too much to hope he’s a kitty shifter?
The guard reappeared. “Follow me.”
See? Worrying about nothing.
Eve wished she had half of Hashtag’s confidence in that moment. Her own seemed to have packed its bags and gotten the fuck out of there.
She walked behind the guard into the large courtyard, the castle rising up before her, the main door to her right beneath a huge stone arch.
She glanced at the smaller buildings around the yard, searching for signs that one of them was used as a barracks.
She saw only two guards standing several feet away from the door, relaxed enough to be on their phones.
The guard in front pushed open the heavy door, and she stepped inside.
The castle’s interior was cool enough to chill the perspiration that had popped out on her brow.
She followed the guard, crossing the worn stone flags that comprised the floor, the walls covered in oak panels adorned with shields, portraits, and the occasional head of a deer.
Nice. Cozy.
I think it needs swords on the walls. Suits of armor. An instrument of torture or two.
Eve mentally rolled her eyes. Guys? Please?
She needed all her wits about her right then. Going in there distracted was a surefire way to end up dead.
“In there.” The guard pointed to a wide oak door.
Conversation isn’t one of his strengths, is it? That was Roadkill.
Eve gave a snort. I don’t think he’s here to indulge in small talk .
She took stock of her surroundings, searching for something that could be used as a weapon if things went to hell. One of those swords Hashtag had mentioned, for example. Even a heavy vase would do in a pinch.
A stone fireplace dominated the room, and on either side were two heavily carved chairs, their wood dark and glossy from many years of care.
The space was stuffed with furniture, none of it appearing remotely comfortable, especially the high-backed chairs beneath the leaded windows.
An octagonal table stood in the center, its surface inlaid with warm veneers.
Two dark green couches faced the fire, but again Eve doubted anyone ever sat on them.
It was a cluttered room, claustrophobic despite its size, and she got the feeling nothing she was seeing had anything to do with the present owner.
“Eve Duncan. Served in our military from 2015 until six months ago, when you quit, supposedly to start a family.” The words sounded as though they were accompanied by a sneer.
She turned. Here we go.
Theron was shorter than her, and so much older. He wore a suit, which kind of surprised her.
What was I expecting? Robes?
His bald head gleamed in the lamplight that caught in the white of his beard. Many lines crossed his brow, but what drew the attention were his eyes.
There were as cold as stone.
Then his gaze raked her body. He smirked, and Eve had to fight to hide the disgust that swamped her.
“Gorilla shifter, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.” She was grateful—and surprised—that her voice came out strong. Behind Theron, a guard stood at the door.
“And why would you leave for such a reason when you could have been part of the breeding program? With your strength, you could give us many powerful babies.”
Fuck . She wanted to shift and rip into him right then and there. “Because at the time it was suggested that I be part of it, I preferred being on the front lines.” The coldness of her tone matched his.
He shook his head. “Women are supposed to do as they’re told.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I managed to distinguish myself. Surely that’s in my records too.”
Theron waved a hand. “Whatever. ”
“But the reason I really left was—”
“Silence.” Without breaking eye contact, he called out, “Bring him.”
“Yes, sir.” And then the guard was gone, leaving her alone with Theron.
A cold trickle of sweat slid down Eve’s back. What the hell are they up to? And how am I supposed to convince him if he won’t even let me speak?
Theron regarded her in silence, and she did her best to return his stare, back straight, shoulders squared.
I could take him out. End it right here.
We might need him. And you have no idea of the forces he keeps around him. Hashtag’s voice was gentle. You’ve got this, okay?
A few moments later, the guard returned, followed by a huge man. One glance at his face told Eve he’d been in plenty of fights, some of them recent, judging by the bruises, not to mention a mélange of scars that made her think his face had been hamburger at some point.
Theron pointed a bony finger at Eve. “She will be your opponent. Do what you have to in order to win.”
The hulking guy smiled at her, showing several missing teeth. “Of course, sir.” He turned his head toward Theron. “Same deal?”
“Yes, yes,” Theron replied with a touch of impatience. “Win, and your family will receive food and medicine. Lose, and they will suffer.”
“I will not lose,” the man vowed, his accent thick. Eve couldn’t figure out where he was from, however.
Sounds Russian , Hashtag observed. Or somewhere in that area.
“Take her to the courtyard,” Theron instructed. “The guards will be on standby. And I shall be watching.”
Disgust seized her once more, tightening her throat. They’re forcing him to fight so his family would be cared for? That really sucks. The guys had told her about Brick’s parents, and she couldn’t help wondering about this mountain on legs. Who’s to say his family is still alive?
Then she realized she had more important things to worry about.
Like not dying.
He led her back into the courtyard that was easily the side of a football field.
Insane villainy apparently pays well.
The hulking man took a spot on one end, pointing to the other. “You stand there. ”
Eve had no idea what was going on, and right then she wished fervently for someone to explain the rules.
Theron appeared at an open window above that overlooked the courtyard.
“On my command you will each shift, then rush to the center to fight tooth and nail.” His voice rang out in the still morning air.
As a gorilla she had an advantage. Or so she thought until the guy stripped down, revealing an ocean of muscles. Whatever he was, it was going to be massive.
Eve stripped off her clothes and tossed them aside.
“Duncan.”
She raised her head to stare at him.
“If Victor wins, you will become part of our breeding program, and Victor will be the first to use you.” Even at a distance, she caught the gleam in Theron’s eyes. “And be warned, he’s quite… animalistic in his approach to mating. Trust me, you’ll likely end up wishing he had killed you.”
“And if I win?”
Theron smiled broadly. “If you win, I’ll listen to whatever it is you came here to say.”
Victor can fuck right off. She heard the loathing in Roadkill’s voice.
Then Victor shifted, and a hippo faced her, solid as a rock, a wall of gray flesh.
Well, my strength will be worth zip. The only thing I’ve got going for me is speed. A regular gorilla would have no chance in such a fight. She’d have to rely on her training.
Use your brains. That was Hashtag.
I remember reading once about animals that could beat a hippo. One of the answers had been both amusing and scary as fuck—a gorilla with the Infinity Gauntlet. Then a line came to her, and she had to smile. Any hippothetical one-on-one battle will be won by the hippo, unless —
Listen to me , Roadkill interjected. Stay out of his reach. Keep higher than he is. And go for his eyes. His vision is poor, but you need to make it nonexistent. He groaned. Theron isn’t looking for a matchup — he wants to see a slaughter.
What he said , Hashtag added. But if what I’m seeing from you is accurate, the guy has been in a lot of fights, so maybe he’s not that good. Maybe they’re relying on his size to intimidate you.
Then it’s working , Eve affirmed. I’ve never seen a man his size before.
Told you one day we wouldn’t be enough to satisfy her. She likes the big ones.
She rolled her eyes. Hashtag, remind me when I get back to kick your ass.
Gladly. Get out of there in one piece and I’ll be happy to let you do it. Or if you’d rather, give the word, and we’ll abort the mission and come running.
Of course they would. Eve knew they loved her. She felt the warmth of that love flowing through her every time they glanced her way.
Nah, I got this.
One last thing , Roadkill added. Keep him off balance. He’s huge, yes, but he’s not a true hippo. His human brain is in control, so just confuse the fuck out of him and stay away from his jaws.
“Duncan!”
It was time.