36 Dirty Work
I'm hanging from the ceiling by my wrists.
It's Gideon's favorite position to have his prey on display for his sick viewing pleasure. He's circling me like a vulture, waiting for me to die before diving in and feasting on my body.
Though I'm not really sure what he's waiting for.
He stops in front of me and tilts his head. I repress the shiver that threatens to roll through my body. Jace looks so much like him. But something about Gideon sets off all the alarm bells. His fingers reach out and I flinch away from them. His smile splits his face.
“Isobel Ashthorne,” he whispers. He reaches for the leather cord around my neck and rips Tex's ring off.
“No…” I croak.
My body jolts instinctively, wanting to reach out and grab it back. I grip my hands tighter. I can't let him take the pebble, too.
Gideon holds up Tex's ring in the light. It looks dulled from the sweat and grime that covers my skin. My neck feels empty and hollow.
“Ah, the Ward heir. Tex.” He licks his lips.
“What a fun piece he was to move around on the board.” Gideon slides the ring into his pocket.
“Give it back.” I pant each word.
“It's not doing any good on your useless neck.” Gideon turns and takes a seat in front of me, next to his table of toys.
“I'm going to tell you a story.” Gideon takes a sip of his coffee like he's at lunch with an associate. “The original Ward heir, was insufferable. He was absolutely useless, just like his father. It was such a surprise when I discovered Tex and how well adjusted he seemed to be.”
He takes another sip.
“So, in order to get him here, I took care of the original heir. David wasn't pleased, but he didn't want to lose his status in the guild, so he accepted Tex in name.”
Gideon sighs.
“He was supposed to get information. But you compromised him.” Gideon shook his head. “So he had to go too.”
A tear slides down my cheek. Gideon’s eyes gleam when he sees it.
“Ah, yes, I've heard you love him or something ridiculous like that. Oh, I’m sorry. Loved. How unfortunate.” Gideon chuckles.
“I'm going to kill you.“ I hiss out.
“Good luck with that.” Gideon waves a hand. “You'll likely die here when my plans are finally set to be enacted. Meanwhile, your stepfather is quite impressive. He's rather useful. He seemed to take my proposal like a fish to water.”
An icy chill runs down my spine.
“Who knew just eliminating the Ward heir would whip Jace in shape. I thought having him around would push Jace, but I can see now it hindered him. Alas, it's no longer an issue.”
I swear to all and any gods that are listening that I will survive long enough to get out of here. If there’s anything I know how to do, it’s survive. I need to get something useful.
“What is your plan?” I ask.
Gideon claps his hands.
“Oh, I’m so glad you asked.” He sets his cup down, standing up and begins to pace.
“Doubt is spreading. I mean, who loses their daughter twice? How competent can he really be to run an entire Guild if he can’t keep track of his daughter?” He laughs.
“As I whisper into people’s ears, it’s spreading like wildfire. I’m gathering their favor, gaining support. When I finally challenge him, I’ll be the one with the backing of the Guild. Not him.” He sighs, a dreamy look in his eye.
“What does that have to do with Daniel?” I try to swallow, my tongue feels stuck.
“Ah, yes. As missions are ongoing, targeting him, I’ve had my insiders sabotage these missions. So as missions continue to fail. More doubt is amassing. All the while I provide Daniel the resources to do my bidding. No need to get my hands dirty if he can do it for me.”
Gideon shrugs as he lifts a knife from his table. The blade glints in the light. My stomach lurches.
“Though I do like getting some blood on my hands. It really makes one feel…alive.” He smiles as he slices across my stomach.
“Isobel,” Luca’s voice filters in. “Iz, wake up.”
I jerk. Luca’s brown eyes are the first thing I see.
“Hey, hey,” he whispers, “You’re okay.” He rubs his hands up and down my arms. The heat grounds me, slowing my pulse.
I’m sitting in a plastic chair placed in the back of the interrogation viewing room. I must’ve dozed off waiting for the others.
I tilt my head back to look up at the ceiling, blowing air through my lips.
“What do you need?” Luca’s voice is low.
I need Tex’s ring. But that’s not his problem.
Taking a swig of the water in my lap, I savor the hydration.
“I’m okay.” I give him an encouraging nod. “Just some nightmares.”
Luca takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “About the basement?”
I clear my throat and nod. “Yeah. Gideon was talking about Daniel.”
It’s still hard to talk about the basement, but I’m trying to let the others in. To let them help me.
The door opens. Lucian, Jace, and Noah walk into the room. Lucian takes one look at me and raises an eyebrow. I lift my chin in response. I’m okay.
He sets some files down on the small table in front of the viewing window.
Jace and Noah settle against the far wall.
“What did he say about him?” Luca keeps his voice quiet.
The dream moves in my mind like I’m wading through honey. I chew on my lip as I walk through it.
My eyes widen.
“He said Daniel was doing his dirty work. He knows what Daniel has planned because he laid it out for him,” I say loud enough for the others to hear.
Lucian pauses in his movements, the papers falling silent in his hands.
Jace sits up in his chair, his jaw set.
Noah looks up from his tablet. The screen reflecting off his lenses.
“Do you know what Daniel was doing for him?” Lucian asks, turning to Jace.
Jace’s jaw flexes. “No, I didn’t hear about any plans he had with Daniel. If I had to guess, he laid out the plan beforehand to limit communication between them.”
Jace stands moving to the window.
The rest of us follow.
Gideon sits in a metal chair as if he’s here on his own terms. His hands and feet are strapped to each arm and leg.
“I want in there,” Jace says.
“You know how this goes,” Lucian replies.
“That’s exactly why I want in.” Jace turns to face Lucian. “He was the one who taught me how to survive this shit. Which means I know what’ll hurt him most. Where his defenses are weakest.”
Lucian continues to stare through the glass. “You’re too close to this.”
“No, I’m close enough. I’ll do what it takes.”
“I’m going too.” I step forward on the other side of Lucian.
I swear I hear a fly fart in the next room.
“No,” Jace says. “Isobel— just no.”
Lucian gives me a look. “Absolutely not.”
“I can help!” My eyes bounce back and forth. “He’s in my head. He played this game with me. He kidnapped me for months!”
“You’re too much temptation for him. He’ll just work to get back under your skin.” Lucian’s eyes hold mine.
“Who says I got him out?” I lift my chin. “I’m not made of glass. I have nightmares to last a lifetime, but I’m still standing.”
“No one’s saying you’re fragile.” Jace steps around Lucian to me. “But this is different. It’s…ugly. Iz, you don’t come out of an interrogation the same.”
There’s something in his eyes. Something broken. And I know, he has been on both sides of the table.
“I don’t want that for you,” He whispers.
I swallow, the words catching in my throat.
Luca takes my hand. “Just watch from here, pretty girl. Trust me, that’ll be enough. If you have something you need to say, Jace will have an earpiece. We can still communicate.”
Noah nods. “I’ll be recording and monitoring the whole time.”
Luca squeezes my hand as I breathe.
“Fine,” I snap. “Make him pay.” I let Jace see the fire in my eyes.