Shadows of Discovery by Brenda K. Davies
Chapter Seventy
Orin strodepast the closed doors of the cells lining the corridor of this long-forgotten prison. Established centuries ago, the stronghold sat on an outer realm that was barely more than a floating rock spinning through the fabric of time.
Misery hung like a thick, cloying blanket over the place. The smell of despair, sweat, and tears choked the air. He despised this place and rarely came here, but there was something he had to do.
He wasn’t concerned about the witch tracking him here. She could find him if she tried, but Sahira was otherwise occupied, and she couldn’t track all his past locations. Besides, he’d be back before anyone realized he was missing and started looking for him.
Behind the doors, some of the prisoners wept, others shouted, some begged to be set free, and others remained eerily silent. They had either accepted their fate or snapped completely. He’d seen those broken ones, sitting within and staring at the wall while they wasted away.
They refused to eat, and most were skin and bones as time marched relentlessly on. He’d wondered if some of them would eventually die, but it hadn’t happened so far.
He felt no guilt over their fate. They’d chosen their path when they decided to fight for the Lord, and they were paying the consequences of it.
The soft soles of his boots didn’t make a sound against the stone floor as he walked. He couldn’t see any of the prisoners behind their solid metal doors. He was aware they were there, but they didn’t have the same luxury of knowing about his presence.
Halfway down the corridor, he stopped outside one of the cells. A single window sat high up in the door. The metal covering was firmly closed and could only be opened from the outside.
Stepping forward, he grasped the small knob and pulled it open. Directly on the other side of the door, a pair of red eyes glared out at him.
He had no idea how the vampire did it, but Orin had yet to open this window and not discover the man standing there. He was tempted to believe the vamp never moved away from the door, but that was impossible. The vampire had to sit, sleep, and shit; he couldn’t do those things while standing there.
No, somehow, this asshole always knew when he was coming, and he was always waiting for him.
Hatred simmered in the vampire’s eyes as they stared at each other. Then Orin smiled.
“Hello, Del,” he greeted. “We need to talk about your daughter.”
* * *
Lexi and Cole’s story continues in Shadows of Betrayal.Preorder it now then turn the page for a sneak peek: brendakdavies.com/SBwb