Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Ryker
When I quietly pulled the chains free, I didn’t experience the rush of my powers returning to me as I’d expected…
which meant more than these manacles was keeping my powers bound.
The suppression of this place most likely extended beyond the cell; they’d probably designed the whole dungeon to keep us repressed.
I didn’t have my powers back, but I still held the key. The man’s crying had finally stopped by the time I pulled the key from the lock in the chains.
Without the manacles to clink with my every move, I silently crossed my cage to the front of the cell. Feeling over the bars, it took a little time to locate the keyhole, but my heart hammered as my fingers slid over the small shape.
Stretching my arm out of the cell, I slid the key over the panel until I found the hole again. The key slid easily in, but this time, when I turned it, the door didn’t open.
Without thinking, I hit the bars before restraining myself. The rattling, clanging sound reverberated through the dungeon as I fisted my hands and berated myself for being an idiot.
Bashing the bars would only make things worse and might draw someone into the dungeon. That was the last thing I needed.
Stay calm and think this through.
My power hadn’t returned after removing my chains, but that didn’t mean I was shit out of luck. Since my love for Ellery had deepened, lightning resided within me now, and I didn’t have to pull it from the air or earth anymore to unleash it.
Maybe, if I concentrated, I could pull that power forth. I focused on bringing it out from within me like I did when I killed Ivan.
With my eyes closed, I searched deep inside me, but instead of feeling a rush of energy, I experienced the empty hollowness of nothing.
“Fuck,” I bit out through my clenched teeth.
“What is it?” Tucker asked from the next cell.
I didn’t dare tell him what was happening. I couldn’t get his hopes up if I failed to break free.
“This place is a nightmare,” I said.
“I can’t argue with that.”
With care, I shuffled back to my cot to avoid crashing into it. When my foot connected with one of the legs, I rested my hands on it. I slid them over the lumpy surface until I discovered my abandoned tray of food, lifted it, and sat again.
I placed the tray on my lap, and my fingers brushed over the remaining food until I found the bowl of gruel. I didn’t bother with the spoon as I plunged my hand into it.
The cool, lumpy mess swelled around my hand and spilled onto the tray as my fingers brushed something hard. The object scraped the bottom of the bowl when I gripped it.
Smiling grimly, I pulled the small metal piece free and held it before me. I couldn’t see it, but I had no doubt it was a second key.