Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“You should’ve thought of that during your break. Get back to work.”
“But—”
“I said get back to work,” he ordered, his voice brooking no argument.
The fact that I couldn’t quench my thirst seemed to make me even thirstier, my dry throat almost torturous. I limped back to the boat, lifting my head as I approached and noting Vasilios’s attention was pinned on the guard who’d reprimanded me. If I thought he’d been shooting me murderous looks, it had nothing on how he stared down that guard, who, by the way, was completely oblivious.
I returned to scraping, unsure how much time had passed when I sensed movement. I paused, glancing to my right, but no one was there. Vasilios and Sven were silently working. Then something on the ground caught my eye. A small paper cup of water had been placed by my feet. I peered at it in confusion, having no idea who’d put it there. I should’ve perhaps thought about it a moment before drinking, especially since drinking poisoned water started this whole thing. But my thirst was so great that I didn’t hesitate to pick it up and down the lot. Thankfully, it didn’t taste like it’d been tampered with. In fact, it was the best water I’d ever tasted.
Obviously, one of the other inmates had snuck it over to me while the guards weren’t looking. Baker, perhaps. He seemed like a decent guy. Well, as decent as anyone could be in a place like that. Then another thought hit me … Had it been Vasilios? I glanced in his direction, but his back was turned to me, muscles moving and flexing under his jumpsuit as he scraped at the paint. No, there was no way he’d gotten me water. I was pretty sure he’d stand by and watch me die of thirst if the situation allowed. But then, why had he been staring daggers at the guard after he’d denied me access to the water fountain? Surely it was unrelated, and he hated that guard for another reason entirely. Yes, that had to be it.
I returned my focus to my work, hoping there weren’t too many more hours left in the shift.
8.
A few hours later, our shift was over, and the guards escorted us back upstairs. I was tired and hungry as I limped to the dining hall again, where they were serving sloppy mashed potatoes with a brown stew. I took the food without complaint, absolutely starved after working all day. I also grabbed a glass of water, downing it all in record time before refilling it and taking the same seat I’d taken earlier.
Again, no one sat next to me. My attention wandered across the hall to where Vasilios and Sven sat. They appeared to be deep in conversation, and I wished I was sitting closer to hear what they were saying. I looked away before either of them noticed me watching and got suspicious. Instead, I let my eyes wander over the other prisoners, taking in the dynamics.
I spotted Serg sitting with a group of other shapeshifters. They claimed the largest table right in the centre of the dining hall. Other prisoners seemed to give them a wide berth, and I remembered what my cell neighbour, Lara, had said about the shapeshifters ruling during the day while the vampires were in charge at night.
Glancing out the window, I was relieved there were still a few hours of daylight left. Once night fell, I would make sure I was safely tucked away in my cell so that I didn’t cross paths with Mack again.
When I was done eating, I stood and returned my tray before heading for the exit. I hesitated, forgetting whether I was supposed to go left or right to reach my cell.
“Get out of the way,” a gruff voice complained, and I glanced behind me to find a bunch of shapeshifters. Then I saw Serg standing among them, and he raised a questioning eyebrow.
“You okay, princess?” he asked, and I quickly nodded. Now that I knew he was one of the most powerful prisoners, my demeanour around him changed. I wasn’t sure if his calling me “princess” was a term of endearment or something more predatory. Lara had said he could be scarier than Mack, so I thought it wise to be respectful. I kept my eyes downcast.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I replied, glancing at him a moment before looking at the floor again.
“You don’t look fine,” he said, stepping closer as he inspected me up and down. “You look like you’ve been through the wars, though, I must say, you gave those vamps a good showdown last night. I was impressed.”
“It doesn’t matter. They still got me in the end.”
Serg frowned, then turned and nodded to his crew, some silent signal for them to leave us alone. They went, and I suddenly felt less safe. Why did Serg want to be alone with me?