Darkblood Prison - G.K. DeRosa Page 0,15

and Ella close?” The stupid words popped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“I trained her when she first arrived at headquarters, so yeah. I take a personal interest in all my trainees.” An indecipherable flash of emotion streaked across his eyes. He lowered his gaze and pushed himself off my bed. “Anyway, you start tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I squeaked.

“The sooner you’re out of here the better, right?”

“True.” I wrapped my arms around myself as anxiety squeezed my lungs.

“Anyway, like I said, I’m pretty tired so I’m going to hit the hay.”

“Oh, okay.” My shoulders deflated, and I convinced myself it was only because I was desperate for company. Maybe Hayden would wake up soon. At least I could watch him do push-ups. If there was one thing the angel was good for, it was eye candy.

Talon must have noticed the whiney twinge in my voice because before he hopped onto the top bunk, he turned back. “I’m sure I’ll feel better by tonight. If you want, we can go a quick round then.”

I suppressed the excitement in my tone and sank down on my bed. “Okay, cool, if you’re up to it.”

Valeria’s wings fluttered nervously behind her seat as her gaze remained trained on the large vampire at my side.

“Go fish,” said Dallas.

I grabbed a card from the stack in the center and whooped in triumph.

“I don’t understand this stupid human game,” Flix grumbled. He sat beside Valeria, the four of us taking up our own table in the rec room. Talon had been asleep all day, he’d even missed dinner. I didn’t have high hopes we’d get in our workout session like he’d promised.

“What’s the matter, precious? You look like your favorite hell hound just died.”

I shot my substitute bodyguard the finger and collected my candy winnings. “Nothing. I guess I’m bored.”

“Bored?” Flix’s lips curved into a pout. “How could you say such a thing?”

Dallas flicked his wrist at my pixie friend. “Don’t mind her, she’s just grumpy because Talon didn’t come out to play.” He burst into a chuckle, and I jabbed my elbow into his side. He didn’t even flinch.

“I am not,” I muttered.

Valeria leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table. “Spill, girl, is there something going on with you and that delicious dragon?”

“No,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

Flix and Valeria arched matching skeptical brows in freakishly perfect unison. “Fine, sweetie, if you want to keep your torrid love affair a secret, that’s okay by me. For now.” He winked and started to shuffle the cards. “Now it’s time to play one of my favorite games—Winter King.”

“Ugh. You’re going to have to explain the rules again. I did not get them the first time we tried.”

“Oh, Azara, don’t be such a spoil sport,” said Dallas. “If you can figure out how to wrangle Talon, this game should be cake.” A mischievous grin split his full lips, and I resisted the urge to punch him. Only because the guard was peering in through the window in the rec room door. Talon insisted I had to be on my best behavior if I wanted this SIA thing to pan out.

I glanced back at the entry, and the C.O.’s eyes widened before his thick head disappeared from view. The sound of a faint scuffle kept my attention on the door, but with the chatter filling the rec room I couldn’t make out any details.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I grabbed Dallas’s arm. Before I opened my mouth to speak, the door flew open and slammed against the wall. Dembrat, Delacroix’s elf henchman, and a few more goons I recognized filled the doorway.

Son of a demon!

“Everyone out except for the demon soul-sucker,” Dembrat hissed. His watery eyes met mine and a sinister smile curled his puffy lips, showcasing a row of yellowing teeth.

Valeria shot out of her seat so fast I thought she was flying. Flix’s panicked eyes met mine from across the table as he slowly stood. “I’m sorry, kid. I can’t get in the middle of this.”

I gave him a nod, but a pang of hurt streaked through my insides. It wasn’t like I expected him to put his life down for me, but… maybe I did. If the situation had been reversed, I wouldn’t run away like a coward regardless of how scary Delacroix was. Or at least that’s what I liked to believe.

A second later, the entire room was empty. The sound of my breathing was all that