me clean, but I hate cleaning, so then I get more stressed out, which starts the damn cycle over again.”
I tried not to smile as he fidgeted with the scouring pad he wore as shorts.
He was anything but invisible, his outfit screaming for attention.
Boom!
The sound of all the prison doors opening at once thundered through the building, vaulting me up to my feet. People strode past my door, heading in the same direction.
“Breakfast, Fishy. Better hurry and wash up. They only make enough for one serving per person here. And some take what they want.”
Meaning many didn’t get to eat.
I looked back at Opie. “Why are you helping me?”
“Helping? I drew the short broomstick on who got the newbie’s cage. Usually, it’s full of vomit, piss, and tears.” He snorted, his booted foot tapping at the broom. “And take what I said as a strong warning.” He smirked as Bitzy took one of her long fingers and slid it across her throat.
Okay. Wow.
“Move it!” a guard yelled from below, scrambling me up onto my feet, heading out of the cell.
“Don’t forget this. You will get a lashing if you forget it.” Opie held up my toiletry kit.
“Thank you.” I took it from his small hand, tucking it under my arm with the towel.
“Oh, you really are fresh meat.” His brown eyes rounded on me with pity. “Like a baby bird.”
“I’m tougher than you think.”
“Oh, Fishy-Fish.” He clicked his tongue. “You just think you are.”
In the sweep of bodies, I was hustled down the catwalk. Across the courtyard, I could see other levels with prisoners all heading in the same direction wearing the various colored uniforms—gray, blue, yellow, and red mingled on each floor. I grew agitated at the stomping of feet, bodies shoving me from behind and whispering threats in my ears as they pushed past me.
All the prisoners on my level were led to a large lavatory down a corridor. I wondered if every level had their own, keeping numbers manageable in the space.
One side held rows of toilets, the other side open showers, and in the middle were sinks with unbreakable metal mirrors. Guards with guns, tasers, and several sets of cuffs stood at the entrance and exit.
Another realization hit me quickly—the bathroom was not only unisex, but everything was out in the open: no doors or our own space. Our training room had unisex restrooms, but we still had privacy—curtains on showers, doors on the bathrooms. And you could go back to your room if you didn’t want to shower there. There were levels of cushion. Safety.
This had all been ripped away from me in a brutal blow. Standing there, watching the prisoners do their business, everything on display, made me feel totally exposed and vulnerable. Opie was right. I had thought myself so tough, but I had been sheltered at HDF.
Locking in my emotions, I tucked my head down, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. My bladder ached, but my skin crawled at the thought of sitting on a seat so many had before me—dirty and pissed on. At HDF, I had a maid who kept everything pristine and a bathroom bigger than four of my prison cells.
“Come on, princess.” An elbow knocked into my side. “You have to piss with us filthy fae eventually.”
My head snapped to a petite-boned woman next to me dressed in a red uniform. About my height, the girl was gorgeous, around my age, with long blue hair braided down her back. She seemed confident and strong. I saw nothing soft in her pale navy-blue eyes, which changed like glitter in the light.
I stepped back.
Demon.
My muscles locked up, my body turning defensive. Demons were high on our kill list. You could decipher their level of power by their eye color. Red and navy meant great power but were not the most dangerous. Yellow-green marked the emperor of all the demons. The King of the Unified Nations had those, his power unequaled. All demons’ eyes turned completely black when they were “on.” Black soulless pits.
“Relax, human.” She rolled her eyes, brushing a strand of blue hair off her face. “I can’t hurt you in here.” Her head turned to me with a wink. “Well, not in the fun way.” Her gaze roamed over me. “Though it might be really fun to roll around with you.”
“What?”
“Fuck. You are a little lamb.” She shook her head, her voice gruff, contradicting her petite frame and pretty face. “Most humans who come through here