Defy the Sun (Beware the Night #2) - Jessika Fleck Page 0,13

he kept begging me to go and how each word pained him.

The look in his eyes when they dragged him away: shocked, angry, eyes unwavering, set on mine as he called my name.

The Night—all black, hooded—surrounded him, pulled him by the arms as he screamed in pain. They were just coming back for me when I was taken away by the Imperi.

But they took Nico first, didn’t they?

They took him first.

The Sindaco knows Nico’s value.

My one saving grace is knowing the Sindaco wouldn’t touch a hair on Nico’s head, much less execute or torture him.

But Nico’s wound … His wound was severe.

No. Stop.

I shift my focus to the officer. My guard. She wasn’t happy with how Raevald spoke of his estranged and assumed-dead son. So much so she came back to tell me. It’s not at all lost on me the risk she took in sneaking down here and listening to my conversation with the High Regent. Then again to give me that small message. And one she’s not even convinced of.

But something the High Regent said, or the way he said it, really hit a nerve.

At least we’ve got that in common. I can work with that. If there’s even the tiniest of cracks there, I’ll find it. Gain her confidence. I’ve no choice. But I’ll have to be careful, extremely cautious. Take my time because it’s delicate. She has to trust me.

On some strange level her change in manner reminded me of Nico.

Because in here, surrounded by darkness and unknowns, it always comes back to Nico.

How, when I’d suffered an especially horrible blow at the hands of Arlen or one of the soldiers guarding the Hole, he’d insist not all Dogio are cruel. That not all Dogio and Imperi see Basso as less than.

I’d always shove the sentiment aside, explain that he and only he was different. A complete fluke in the order of things. That I wouldn’t believe it until I saw it myself.

“Damn it,” I whisper, rolling my eyes. I run my thumb over the cold medallion in an arc back and forth, the smoothness comforting.

If Nico were here, he’d say, “Well, Veda? You finally saw it with your own two eyes. Now what are you going to do about it?”

“All right,” I’d say, annoyed he knows me so well but not giving him the satisfaction of hearing me admit it. He’d smile knowingly, flash his dimple, completely sure of how it leaves me defenseless. Then I’d look into his dark eyes. Try my best to be defiant yet fail miserably. All I’d be able to get out is, “I know…” Because I’d still refuse to say he’s right.

Yes, Nico, I know …

Ad astra.

* * *

AT SOME POINT the clicking of my own personal Offering medallion lulls me to sleep. I awaken to the scraping of a metal tray on the stone floor—a far cry from the masterpiece I composed with nothing but the side of a coin earlier.

Instantly, my senses alert me. Bread. And not the stale, moldy version I’m normally tossed. This is real bread. Somewhat fresh bread. The kind we always drooled over in the baskets outside the bakery but never could afford.

An untimely snack. I know it’s untimely because it’s been too short a time since my first meal and not long enough after my pail of cold soapy water.

Whoever left it is already gone.

I lift the roll from the tray, hug it between my palms. Just there, on the underside of the crust, it’s warm.

Warmth … something I’ve longed desperately for and forgotten existed. I tear the bread open and am instantly bombarded with steam.

I’m honestly not sure whether to stuff it in my mouth at once, savor each crumb one by one, or smother my face between the two sides and bask in its warm, delicious glory while it lasts.

I allow the briefest of pauses, then take a huge bite.

And another.

As I simultaneously stuff it in my mouth, savor each crumb, and bask in its glory, I bump the tray with my foot. A couple of somethings shuffle; one item rolls across the metal.

Reaching down, I find what can only be a candle and a match.

Could it be? Could the guard have gifted me warm bread and light?

I remove the treasures, then I push the tray back under the door. Leaning down, I peer through the small space and out into the hallway. No one.

I move to the far corner of the cell and light the candle. After being in