Night Study (Soulfinders #2) - Maria V. Snyder Page 0,122

said, shredding that last bit of hope.

When a loud bang signaled the entrance of another group of soldiers, ice coated my insides with dread. But only Bruns and a handful of guards walked in. Relief warmed me.

Bruns surveyed us while his men slid trays of food into each cell and added oil to the lanterns. No one said a word.

“You have a choice,” Bruns said, breaking the silence. “Eat and drink the meals we bring, or not.” He shrugged. “At this point, I don’t care if you die of thirst. You’ve all been a pain in my side since the beginning. But know that after you’ve had a few meals here, you’ll be welcomed to my team. And you won’t be able to fake it, and there’s no chance of recovery. I believe you’re all familiar with the talents of Loris Cloud Mist.” Bruns turned to leave.

“Is that why you didn’t assassinate them? So they can work for you?” I asked.

“Yes. Not only does it make them grateful, but no one wastes time searching for the dead.”

“You stole that idea from Owen.”

“Yes, I did. And why not? The tactic has a little bit of life left in it. Of course, it won’t work anymore.” He swept a hand, indicating the cells. “But I don’t need it to.”

“Did you save Ben, as well?”

Bruns met my gaze. His expression remained neutral. “Eat your breakfast, Yelena. I told your heart mate I’d keep you alive if he cooperated. Don’t go making me a liar, now.”

It took every fiber of my willpower not to react to his comment. Instead, I said in a neutral—I hoped—tone, “Too late, Bruns. We all know not to trust what you say.”

A half smile twisted his lips. “Fine. Believe what you will.” He left, taking the guards with him.

Leif sniffed the food. “Don’t eat it. We can last a couple days without food.”

The enticing scent of warm cinnamon tea drifted to me. My stomach cramped with hunger. It’d been over a day since I’d last eaten. I lifted the mug and cupped it in my cold hands.

“Yelena,” Ari said. He was in the cell across from mine. “Valek’s not caught. I don’t care how many magicians and null shields they have. Bruns does not have him.” Pure conviction vibrated in his tone.

“Have you heard from him?” I asked. If he was close, I could wait.

Ari shook his head, his expression bleak. I calculated the distance to the rendezvous point. If Valek left right now, then it’d take him three days to arrive. Plus he’d need another day or two to figure out a way inside the base. Too long—I’d need to eat by then. I glanced at Leif, looking for guidance. Of all of us, he had the most medical knowledge.

My brother pressed his lips together, clearly unhappy. Then he signaled, It’s your choice. You can probably go another day, but no longer. Think about it. You can save yourself now and have another baby later.

“No,” I said as Ari gasped. He’d been watching Leif. I held up a hand, stopping Ari from voicing his questions about the baby. “I need another option.”

“I don’t have one,” Leif said.

“I do!” Janco jumped to his feet.

The poor man hadn’t said a word or moved since they had dragged Dax in.

Janco’s hands almost blurred as he motioned. Wouldn’t Brother Horror’s power not work on you because of that blocking thing?

That’s just speculation. I can’t risk the baby.

You might not have a choice if we’re here for a few days.

True.

“Can someone tell us what’s going on?” Dax asked.

“It’s better if you don’t know,” Ari said. He sank onto the pallet of straw in his cell. “Did you know about...that before you rushed off to rescue Leif?” he asked me.

“Yes, and don’t yell at me. Leif and Janco already have.”

Ari grunted, but kept quiet. I sipped the cooling tea. It tasted divine, warming me. However, I planned to wait another day before I ate the food. At this point, I didn’t have any other options.

* * *

The following day passed in a slow trickle of nothing. Without a window, we marked time by the guards’ entrance. Trays of hot food arrived, cooled, congealed and were replaced—three per day. I started eating after the fourth delivery. By that time, dizziness made it difficult for me to stand.

Leif made a few obvious gestures to explain to Dax and Hale why I risked being turned into Bruns’s minion.

After two days, the others started drinking the Theobroma-laced water.