On quiet nights, when I examined my feelings closely I had to admit that he might already own my heart.
I was still facing him, but my refusal to move had his chiseled features dropping into stern lines, highlighting a dark captivating beauty. His brown hair was short again but it still fell messily across his forehead. He was a giant man, and in this cell he almost reached the roof. Six and half feet easily. He shifted slightly to one side as Lucas moved to stand next to him.
My eyes flicked across to the blond; he wasn’t as tall or as broad as Brace, but he had an icy beauty that was interesting all the same. Lucas, who is the next Crown Emperor of First World, had decided to join us for this planet-jumping journey. I still didn’t know what his end game was and I was pretty annoyed to be surrounded by such secretive men.
Mostly, I went out of my way to avoid Lucas since he believed I was his to-be-crowned Empress. And even though I’d done my best to set that straight, he was still here. Besides, any interest I could have in Lucas disappeared the moment Brace entered my world. He eclipsed everything else.
“Abby, you haven’t moved,” Brace said, his tone still stern.
I shook my head in his direction, my full lips curving up. I hated being told what to do.
“I might just have a quick look,” I said as I moved closer to the window.
I was tall enough that if I grabbed on to the bars and pulled myself up I’d be able to see out.
“Abigail, get your ass away from that window.” Brace was right at the forefront of his cage now. He gripped the wooden slats. “Samuel, Lucy ... get over there and stop her.”
Lucy laughed out loud. “Brace, I’ve seen Abbs fight. Trust me when I tell you, I’m not getting in her way – my nose is just too perfect.” She crinkled said perfect nose.
She was referring to our fight classes on Earth, where I may have broken a few of the girls’ noses.
“All four of those incidents were accidents,” I said in my defense.
She snorted.
As soon as I was under the window I reached up to grip the wooden slats. I only had to pull my body weight up a few inches to see out. I paused at a loud banging noise. Spinning my head around, I could see Brace slamming his crossed arms into the wooden slats.
“I’ll come for you. Don’t mistake me, Abigail. And I’m going to be ... annoyed ... when I get over there.” For some reason, the depth of his tone sent a thrill of excitement through me.
What was he so worried about? I was just going to have a little peek. What’s the worst that could happen?
Damn it, I had to stop saying that.
I threw a look over my shoulder; it was pure challenge. Yeah, I did feel pretty safe in my barred cell. Lucy had sat down at this point, pulling Samuel with her.
“This is great. Wish I had some popcorn, though.” Her hands were clasped in front of her, face alight with delight as if she’d just settled in to watch her favorite movie. “Ten bucks on Abby.”
I grinned, none of the First Worlders would have a clue what ‘ten bucks’ was. They didn’t use money; their world ran on a much more efficient barter-for-skills system.
Another burst of noise from outside drew my attention again. It sounded like there were a lot of Spurns arguing out there. I couldn’t quite make out the words, especially with all the lisping. I still had a grip of the slats, so I slowly pulled myself up. Swearing echoed around the room behind me. Ignoring the noise, I enjoyed the familiar burn in my muscles. I was going crazy locked in this little cell, so even a small physical release was welcome.
Once my eye level was above the ridge I could see a large group gathered. There were many Spurns with the same blue hair we’d already seen, but for the first time there were also Spurns with green, yellow and gray hair. They stood around a crouched girl.
My observations were cut off as strong hands gripped me around the waist. I was almost yanked off the bars, but at the last second managed to catch hold again.
“I swear to the Walker gods, Red, you’re going to be the death of me.”
At the sound of his voice, I let go in shock and Brace and I tumbled down.
Using his nicely muscled chest, I dug my elbow in as hard as I could to push myself up to stand. He groaned and I looked toward his old cell. There were large holes in both doors. Brace-size holes. I turned my eyes toward the angry towering-over-me man.
“How ... what did you do?” I stuttered out.
He shrugged, but his expression was burning – I felt like prey, and I wanted to run, fast.
“You know I can manipulate energy, and my power levels are no different here.”
“What. The. Crap.” Lucy, showing no fear, punched him in his thigh, which was the easiest place for her to reach. “Are you telling me that you could have gotten us out of here straight away?”
She pulled her fist back to hit him again, but Samuel gathered her up in his arms before she could.