the worst prison known to man.
"Caine, I need to hurry with this. You and I both know Lyra won't hold up well in a place like this." Talon tried to relate about a subject he'd never get my sympathy on.
"Aww, is someone worried about his sheltered princess no longer being sheltered?" I pouted at him.
"Shut your mouth, Caine. You have no idea the things that Lyra's been through," he growled, rising from the table.
"Oh, that's right. I've been left in the dark about it all." I gave him a thoughtful look to mock his plea. "Huh, funny how you want sympathy from me for something you don't want to tell me."
Talon leaned over the table, getting in my face. His eyes slit into white lines with black orbs around them. Sometimes, he was a scary fucker, but I would never let the warlock know it.
"Listen to me, and listen closely, fallen one," he seethed, causing some smoke to simmer from his hands. "I've worked thousands of cases, and not a single one has ever compared to Lyra's. It's her story to share, Caine. It's also one you might not be ready to stomach."
"You're a lot of talk." I smirked. Though, I also couldn't let him see the growing knot in my stomach. Lyra hid many secrets, and she knew just how to evade answering the right questions.
"I'm a cop, Caine. I do my job and keep villains like you off the streets."
"Villain?" I grinned, chuckling as I spoke. "I kind of like the sound of that. You know who else might like that title?"
"Who?" he responded, playing along.
"My new neighbor." Waiting, I wanted to build the anticipation of who I was about to mention. It wasn't a secret after what that fucker said the first day we arrived, but I also witnessed how the creep watched Lyra now.
"You have me on pins and needles," Talon drawled. When he went to fold his arms, I saw his black brandings. Most would think he was heavily tattooed, but I knew it was to regulate his blood for spells.
"Dolion Garrek." I winked at Talon. I didn't know the story, but I knew our new neighbor had been involved with this wicked tale. I bet he was the one that killed Evangeline Stamos.
My mouth salivated, wanting to know everything. Though, I knew I still wouldn't get it.
And just like that, my interrogation turned into a mission. Talon bolted out the door, rushing to move my stepsister from this Dolion guy. Maybe he could tell me what really happened.
As the guards dragged me away from Talon, I puckered my lips at him. I let my kiss blow into his scowling face. "Don't worry, Crow's Foot. I'll watch my inmate for you. Word is, Barcel has his beady eyes on her, so watching sounds delightful."
My words sickened him. I could see the paling in his face as he understood what I admitted. I planned to break the sheltered princess once and for all... even if it took a malicious vampire king to do it.
Worrying the cop was just a perk to it all.
Once I was out of the holding room, the officers unleashed me to walk freely down the hall. It would be almost lunch time, but I needed to go to my room first. I needed to make sure a certain little bird left her gilded cage.
As I neared our cell, I could hear Dolion singing from his side. He stood at the bars, annoying my stepsister.
"Sing, sing, Canary! They can't crack me, but they'll crack you!" he cackled, wheezing to catch his breath.
I paused, waiting in the distance. My curiosity only heightened, wanting to know whatever their issue was.
"Sing?" Lyra surprised us both by actually stepping forward. They were right across from each other, snarling. "I'll sing, Dolion. I'll let everyone hear the hearkening of this angel."
"Hearkening? You're too dirty for that, Lyra. We both know what you did that day." Dolion gripped the bars tighter in front of his face.
Lyra appeared nonchalant, but I knew it was just her face. I knew if I placed my fingers over her jugular, choking her in my grasp, her pulse would thrum below.
Without hesitation of the trouble she could get into, Lyra spread her wings. Her hand moved to showcase the one tainted marking on her beautiful body.
"We both know I only have one sin God could not forgive. I didn't even ask him to." Her fingers wrapped around the misfit among the white, yanking it