Chapter 29

I glance up as the silence reigns over the room once more. I don’t know how long I’ve sat here stewing over my thoughts. Looking around, I see fear in the human’s faces while the talnarins look relieved or in awe. I don’t have a chance to question it when I see Malik standing just inside the doorway. He scans the faces before him until his golden eyes land on me. I will myself to meet them and not flinch back.

After what feels like an eternity staring into his soul, Malik gestures with a jerk of his head for me to follow him. I pause before pushing to my feet. I don’t bother saying goodbye to those I sat with, instead I settle for a simple wave. I never was good with goodbyes.

My pace is slow as I meander around the freed prisoners, but I eventually make it out the door. Pulling to a sudden stop, I notice Malik and his men stand a few paces away. Thankfully, none of the talnarins acknowledge my presence. It allows me to swiftly move away and lean against the wall. I don’t bother to hide the fact I’m eavesdropping.

Just as I settle, I notice a hand offered in my direction. I follow the arm and find it belongs to Malik, who doesn’t even bother looking at me. I stare at the offending limb in disgust. What the fuck does he want me to do with that?

Determined to pretend they don’t exist while I still eavesdrop, I turn my head to the side and refuse to acknowledge him. His hand grips my wrist and I attempt to pull away without luck. He drags me closer, and suddenly lifts up my shirt.

I yelp, clawing and punching at his chest. It’s like fighting a rock. He releases me so suddenly, I stumble back. I glare up at Malik and snarl. Understanding dawns and with it comes fury. He took the journal.

For a split second, I’m tempted to call for my fire but one look at his expression stops me cold. He’d kill me before the flames even surfaced. I settle for spitting out, “Next time ask for the damn thing instead of going through my shirt, asshole.”

A smirk spreads across his face and he leans in to whisper in my ear. “But where’s the fun in that?” Without another word, he turns back to his little group. My cheeks flush. Bastard. Cocky, arrogant, infuriating son of a bitch.

Every time I think I can pull one over him, he somehow gets the upper hand. Now he has the paperwork, the vials, and the journal. And what do I have? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Except the daggers. For whatever reason, he let me keep them.

Even with the blades, I’m no closer to finding the answers than before. I thought my shitty luck finally turned around when I found this place. But then the talnarin vanished and the evidence was snatched.

Not to mention, I now have to bring Malik and his little gang to Him. If any of the Gods can hear me, please cut me some slack and have pity on me. When we get there, please let Him be missing. Better yet, let some accident happen that prevents this group from even getting near that village in the first place. It’s my battle to fight, not theirs. They’d only get in my way and ruin everything. I need to face this alone, not with the seven talnarins breathing down my neck every second of the day. This is my attempt at closure and revenge, other presences there would only delay those two goals.

Somehow, I need to throw them off the trail. Perhaps there’s a way to convince them it’s a fool’s errand. Or better yet, maybe I can bring them to the wrong village instead. If they were to ask, I’d simply say it’s been so long since I’ve been there, the details are hazy. But Malik said he’d kill me if there was any funny business, and I’d bet my revenge he’d think my detour was funny business.

For now, I’ll play it by ear. I’ll lead them in that direction and see how things progress. I can always improvise, though I can’t guarantee the success of that. Malik seems to always be one step ahead.

Always.

I’m pulled from my musing as the group of talnarins break away. Damn it, I missed what they said. Before I get a chance to even twitch, Malik looms in front of me. A glare settles on my face and a smirk settles on his. He says nothing as he stares me down; it’s unnerving. I look away first and from the corner of my eye, I see his smirk widen. It angers me since it feels like I lost a battle I didn’t even know we were fighting.

“We’re heading out tomorrow first thing, and until then, you’re mine, girl.” His tone almost dares me to argue, so, I do.

I whip my head around. “I’m not leaving until all the people here are taken care of first,” I say as firmly as I’m able under his intense look. I won’t break on this, I can’t. Who knows what he plans to do to these people.

“It’s cute that you think you have a say.”

I send him my fiercest glare and Malik remains unfazed.

“But worry not, little girl, all the ones released will be sent to Craforian come morning. Now, move.” He doesn’t even give me a chance to move on my own as my arm is once again in his grip. Though this time, Malik is far gentler as he pulls me along.

“I can walk just fine on my own, asshole.” I give a tug for good measure but he holds firm. As I grumble under my breath, Malik laughs softly. Glancing up sharply, I see a very amused Malik staring down at me.

What in the Hellvian? I snap out an angry, “What?”

“You’re amusing. It’d be a shame if I had to kill you.”

“Excuse me? It’s a shame for you? What about for me? You’d still have a beating heart when you walked away, I wouldn’t.” Almost as an afterthought I say, “And I’m not amusing.” Why is Malik so… relaxed? What is wrong with him? What is wrong with me? My face feels warm. He continues to drag me around until we end up in the large bedroom. As he pulls me in, panic swells, and I twist and pull my arm to no avail. I try to plant my feet firmly down but nothing seems to work, and my panic only continues to rise.

Nothing good will come out of going in here with him, I just know it. Despite never have been intimate with another, I’ve heard a thing or two. Small villages aren’t the best place for secrets and private things, after all. Everyone knows everything, always. Going into the bedroom alone with Malik seems to be just the type of thing my parents always warned me about, their ‘men have only one thing in mind’ speech.

But even if Malik didn’t have that in mind, I still wouldn’t enter the room with him. Being in such a confined space with him alone is nerve-wracking. I mean, it’s not a small space by any means but the point remains. Being alone with Malik is not a good idea, at all, ever. I’m rambling. I’m rambling inside my head. But it’s not because of the nerves. No, not at all. Nope.

I finally find my voice and nearly yell, “Let go! I can’t go in there with you. I’ll wait outside.”

A rumbling laugh escapes Malik. “Relax, little girl. I won’t do anything unless you ask.”

“Ask? I’m not going to ask. I’ll never ask.” I rush to say. This only makes him laugh harder. With a quick yank, I’m pulled through the doorway into the bedroom. As soon as I step inside, Malik releases my arm and moves further into the room.

I watch warily as he takes a seat on the sofa in the small living room area of the bedroom. He gracefully plops down and props up his feet on the table. Then, he pulls paperwork from a pocket and begins reading.

Hesitantly, I retreat a small step, hoping he doesn’t notice. Of course, Malik doesn’t miss a thing. In a quiet but firm voice he says, “Don’t leave this room, girl.”

Anger heats my face at the command and I clench my fists together. I am so sick of him thinking he can order me around. I am so sick of not fighting back for fear he’ll kill me for it. Frustration coats my tone as I snap out, “What in the Hellvian am I doing here?”

He doesn’t bother to glance up. “You’re here because I said you needed to be.”

“But why? I can go wait outside or with the other released prisoners.” I can’t keep the pleading from leaching into my words.

“You’re not leaving my sight. I don’t need you running off when you think we aren’t watching. I also don’t need you conspiring with the others under our noses.” At this he glances up with a smirk. “Besides, you caused me enough trouble for one day.”

I scoff at the accusation. “Trouble? I haven’t caused any trouble. In fact, I’ve been more than helpful. I gathered all the paperwork, the journal, and the vials, and kindly gifted them to you as a gesture of sincerity and goodwill. And for a little something extra just for the fuck of it, I’m even bringing you to a talnarin madman who tortures children. See, aren’t I just the sweetest?” I stretch my lips into the fakest smile I can muster before marching off to the far corner of the room. From behind me, I hear his rumbling laugh.

Choosing to ignore it, I slide down the wall until my ass hits the floor. I curl up my legs to my chest and grip them tight. Exhaustion weighs heavily on me, but my mind won’t give me peace.

As I sit in the darkened corner of the room, I deliberate over everything that happened today. Kidnapped by another group of psycho talnarins, finding other experimentation victims, running into Malik, and now having the information I need stolen away from me… it’s been too much.

Perhaps if I play nice with Malik and his band of asshole men, I could gleam some information off of them. If I act complacent and helpful, maybe it will allow me access to the information I need.

What am I going to do?