Defy the Sun (Beware the Night #2) - Jessika Fleck Page 0,15

might’ve been playing in my mind about who the Night really are and how Raevald and the Imperi were involved.”

“And did he know?” The guard’s stare is piercing, her hair framing her face like a black hood. “Did the High Regent know you were his granddaughter then?”

“I don’t think so.”

She’s watching me. Observing. Taking in any hints I might be lying because she’s also wary it’s a trap.

We’re not so different, her and I.

How do I get her to see that?

“Wait…,” she says, slowly moving away from me. “How would the High Regent and the Imperi be involved with the Night?” Confusion covers her face, because of course it does. She’s not ready to hear that Raevald’s been framing the Night by ordering his troops to kidnap and execute Basso—much less believe it.

“Just that…” But my mind’s suddenly blank because it is the truth. I’m not sure if it’s the lack of sleep or absence of human interaction, but I blurt it out, desperate for her to help me. To believe I’m not the enemy. “It wasn’t the Night who were taking Basso, but the Imperi commanded by Raevald. All of the stories about the Night are made up. A fear tactic to keep Bellonians loyal to the Imperi.” The minute the last word leaves my lips I regret it. Too much too quick. Damn it, Veda.

She picks up the candle. Stands and backs away.

“I was told you’re cunning. That you’ll lie to get what you want.” Her eyes cascade over to me. “I swore to keep your location secret at all costs. To capture or kill you if you try to escape, because having you dead is better than having you on the loose. Earlier … even though I heard the High Regent’s words … maybe I didn’t hear all of it. Maybe I heard wrong. I don’t know, but I can’t—” Her sentence breaks off as she turns to go. “I can’t do this.”

She leaves and locks the door behind her.

I fall onto my back and stare at the darkness around me.

I feel sorry for myself for a good ten minutes.

Then I sit up. Force my body to stand.

If I can’t count on her and I don’t see the Night storming this place anytime soon, I’m going to have to get out of here myself. I don’t know how or when, but it’s not happening in my current state. I don’t have the strength to make it down the hallway much less across Bellona.

I start slowly by walking the perimeter of my cell. I’m out of breath after a measly five times around the square room.

I lose hope as quickly as I gained it.

Leaning against the cool stone wall, I slide down to the floor. Sit a few minutes. Wallow in the fatigue that’s so quickly taken over my mind and body. The realization that I might not escape this place. The place where my jaw still stings from Arlen’s boot despite the fact that it’s been nearly two weeks.

My nose stings from anger, tears I refuse to allow to surface. I resist the urge to punch the wall because I know it won’t do me any good to set my knuckles stinging too.

Then I get back up. Walk seven laps. This time faster.

* * *

AT SOME POINT, as I’m fantasizing about fresh pools of crystal-clear water and being able to drink to my heart’s content, I fall asleep. But I’m awoken with a jolt to the door flying open and clicking shut.

A match strikes.

The same candle that left in the guard’s hand is once again before me, along with the same guard who is clearly distressed; her face red, cheeks streaked with angry tears and dirt.

I sit up, fearing the worst. “What’s wrong?”

My question must surprise her because she does a double take like she’s making sure she busted into the correct cell.

“You need my help getting out of here?” she asks, all business.

Is she kidding? If she is, it’s a very cruel joke.

“What? What do you mean?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Yes” is all I say, but there are about a hundred questions and doubts spinning around my head. Is this a trap? Did Raevald put her up to this? Are they going to let me think I’m getting out and then catch me escaping? Take me right to the Coliseum in a glorious spectacle? Raevald does love a bit of drama.

The guard sits down across from me again, sets her mouth in a soft line, then swallows