I didn’t ask them, not with the anger rolling off Callan in palpable waves.
Every time I thought about risking it to demand answers, my mind played me images of what he’d looked like while fighting in the ring, shivers coursing down my spine because I doubted I could withstand one of those punches.
Callan wasn’t foreign to violence with me as my first few days of technical captivity had proven. My fear of him kept me docile and quiet, the questions unasked as we navigated back to the mansion and walked inside on hurried feet.
The second we arrived, he left me with a guard and took off, to where I didn’t know, but the instruction was for me to remain in Gretchen’s sight for the rest of the day, at least until he called for me.
I’d been allowed to shower and use the staff facilities, had been given a few hours in a spare bedroom to myself. I didn’t believe those hours were a kindness. It was more that Gretchen was unsure what to do with me. Apparently, it hadn’t been discussed. Either way, the time spent without anything to do only twisted me tighter, words and warnings racing through my head, memories fluttering around like butterflies beneath a violent sky.
I was almost happy to see Gretchen when she returned.
Almost.
Now, here I was. Waiting. Being watched. Not just by Gretchen with her perma-scowl and sensible shoes, but also by the staff members who were eating their dinners. Undoubtedly they were still concerned over my breakfast on the floor this morning.
I thought I’d eat alone until a brave little bird hopped over, Holly’s blond hair hanging over her shoulders in loose waves now that she was off work for the night and out of uniform.
“Are you okay?”
No.
“Yes. Why?”
She angled her head to peer at Gretchen from behind the curtain of her golden hair. Eyes returning to me, she smiled, the expression timid. “I know you don’t like him. And while I don’t know why he treats you differently than the rest of us, I know he isn’t kind when it comes to you. So, I just want to make sure you’re fine. That he hasn’t-“
I placed a hand on her forearm. “I’m fine.”
Holly nodded before selecting a slice of fish from the buffet and spooned herb butter sauce over the top of it. “Where were you this morning? I saw you leave with him.”
There was no point in lying, even if the place was technically on the list of things not to be discussed among the staff.
“The pit.”
Her eyes snapped my direction, but she did a good job of not moving her body or her head. Voice a bare whisper, she asked, “So you know now? About what happens there.”
I shrugged, still not understanding what was so scary about a fighting ring. Those types of things were broadcast all over the world. Champions made. Millions of dollars earned or won. Why was she so frightened of it?
“There wasn’t much to see. The building was impressive. Although, it was odd that the ring was hidden away.”
Holly shivered, her eyes studying the food in front of us while her hands were unmoving.
“I worked there one night. Sometimes we’ll take extra shifts for more money. It was during my first week here.”
Pausing, her body tightened at my side, so tense I thought she might snap or shatter. “The violence was bad enough, but what was given to the winner at the end-“
Unable to finish the thought, she scooped some steamed vegetables on her plate.
I wasn’t as careful as her, my head snapping her direction at the words she wouldn’t say. “What happens at the end? What are you talking about?”
Holly’s eyes met mine, pure fear dancing behind them. She opened her mouth to answer but Gretchen’s voice was a whip crack across the room.
“Lisbeth! I’ve given you a certain amount of time to eat. It’s best not to waste it on chitchat.”
The color drained from Holly’s face, her shoulders hunching forward as she stepped away from the food to walk to a nearby table.
Not wanting to risk getting her in trouble, I chose a seat on the other side of the room, my stomach twisting so hard that it was almost impossible to chew and swallow.
The food refused to settle in the churning acid of my gut, every second ticking by, filling me with more questions, more fears, more dread. From here, I’d return to the family suites, and I wasn’t ready to face a