Chapter 24
Twenty-Four
Autumn rested on the floor of the cave. The glow from the fire danced along the ceiling in spirals and swirls. Her appetite was finally sated, but she still hadn’t recovered from the day’s catastrophe.
How embarrassing to be resuscitated by her captor , she cringed.
She was more exhausted than usual, and it took longer to catch her breath. Her muscles screamed in pain and a headache threatened to conquer her. If only she hadn’t been so eager and had taken the time to strategize, she wouldn’t be suffering.
Armienti stood in the snow with the shirt of his uniform off. His defined blue muscles gleamed in the pale moonlight as he cleaned and prepped the fish for tomorrow’s meal. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the side of his arm before their eyes locked for a moment too long. He smiled, white teeth sparkling in the evening light, before looking away.
Her cheeks warmed against her will. Her heart raced. As much as she hated him for putting them in this situation, he’d saved her life many times. And despite her better judgment, he looked handsome tonight. Although he briefly crossed her mind, she snapped back to reality. He was a traitor, and she had a husband who she adored out there somewhere searching for her.
She closed her eyes and rerouted her thoughts to Dante. His smiling face and arrogant swagger. His amber eyes flecked with green when the light played off them the right way. Would they ever see each other again? Or would she spend the rest of her life wondering what could’ve been?
Dante strode down several flights of stairs hastily. The captain of the guard raced after him. His standard issue boots clicked against the steps, weapons wavering in his holster. He had to be sure, had to see for himself. If there was any possibility of Autumn being down here, he had to at least check so he could cross Planet Joule off his list.
“The hole is to your right, sire,” the captain’s shaky voice echoed through the corridor. They approached a large steel door. Shadows danced across the ceiling and over the pristine white walls. The breath caught in his throat.
He turned toward the captain, pulling his communicator from his back pocket. He stared at the time. At this rate he was going to be behind schedule.
“Open the door at once, or I’ll rip the hinges off.”
The captain quaked, sliding his fingers over the digital keypad. Red buttons clicked and beeped and blinked. They were granted access and the door slid open. Inside was pitch dark.
He ignited a flame in his palm to use as a torch and sauntered inside. Mildewy water covered the floor. There was no bed to speak of and no facilities. The foul stench of excrement assaulted his senses. Dante choked on the disgusting smell.
Autumn wasn’t there, and this time, he was thankful.
In the far corner, the prisoner he’d been wanting to see sat cross-legged against the wall, face buried in his hands.
Dante hesitated for a moment, then approached. A lump formed in his throat. This was all his fault. He was solely responsible for his misery.
“You’re coming with me.” He knelt to help the prisoner to a stand, wrapping an arm over his shoulder. He steadied him on his feet.
A gun cocked, and a set of ragged wings flashed across the wall. “I’m afraid neither of you are going anywhere.”