“Valkyrie… what an unusual name. I’m Grace. I’m not from around here, so you’re going to have to tell me where to go.”

“I don’t even know where we are.”

“I think we’re in Kildare. I’m so sorry, I’m kind of lost.”

“Do you have a phone? They took mine.”

Grace winced apologetically. “I have, but the battery’s run out, and I left the car charger at home. I think the best thing we can do is just head for the nearest town.” She took a right turn. “I passed one about five minutes ago.”

Valkyrie frowned. “We’re going back?”

“Not the same way. I think this road loops around.”

“I really think we should be getting as far away from here as possible.”

“You don’t have to be afraid. There’s no one about.”

“I don’t think you’re getting how serious this is. They’re not going to just let me escape.” Valkyrie frowned. “Are you sure we’re not headed back on the exact same road we were on? This looks familiar.”

“Oh, no,” said Grace, “I’m quite sure. Why are you looking at me like that? You seem almost… Oh, my. You think I know those men, don’t you? You think I’m bringing you back to them?”

“Let me out,” said Valkyrie. “Let me out right—”

The van reared up at Grace’s window and swerved into them, and there was a crunch of metal and the world spun and Grace was screaming. The car dipped sickeningly and hit something and the air bags rushed out, knocking Valkyrie’s head back.

Suddenly it was still. The engine was running, but they weren’t moving.

Valkyrie opened her eyes. She heard Grace moan, and started to push the air bag down. They were in a ditch. Her thumb clicked the seat-belt release catch, and she reached for the door, but it wouldn’t open. She moved her head, looking back at Grace. There was movement outside. Someone was opening the driver-side door.

“Help,” Grace said softly.

The man reached in and took hold of Grace’s head, and he twisted until her neck broke. Then he looked over at Valkyrie.

“Told you we’d get you,” he said.

They dragged her to the cell and this time they didn’t take their attention off her. The man with the keys opened the iron door and his companion threw her inside.

Valkyrie stumbled in. Her foot hit something and she fell. The door shut and darkness swarmed. She stayed very still, on her hands and knees, and listened for the beast, but she could only hear her own breathing.

Moving slowly, she tracked her hand back to whatever she’d tripped over. There was a cold metal ring bolted to the middle of the floor, and a thick chain led from it and snaked towards the far right corner of the cell.