The men’s eyes dart between the sergeant and each other, but they follow the order. Collins opens the cage door, leaving it wide enough to meet the bars. One of the men outside the cage unlocks the double doors.

I give Belanger a questioning frown. He returns it with another one of his smirks. I want to kick it off his face.

“Put your crossbows away and step back, boys,” he orders.

There’s a long pause, the men sharing doubtful glances. They’re as confused as I am. But they do as he says, folding away their small bows and hooking them back onto their belts.

Belanger turns to me. “The cage is open, the double doors unlocked. The entrance at the base of the stairs is also unlocked. And outside this keep, you have a clear run across the grass and over the wall.” He grins, showing off his bright teeth. “You have two choices, blood whore. Make a run for it and take a chance at escape. You never know, a fit man such as yourself might just make it out the gate. Or you stay here and take what’s coming to you.”

So that’s what he’s doing, creating the pretense of escape, a believable excuse to work me over.

I glance between him and the open cage door. The part of me that yearns for air and sky clamors with a need to take his offer and make a run for it. I’d make it out of the double doors. I’d probably reach the bottom of the stairs before one of the men had a crossbow ready.

But would I really find the doors to the outside unlocked? Probably not.

And if the doors were unlocked, would there be a clear run outside the place the Guardians keep prisoners? Unlikely.

I assess the soldiers surrounding me, their postures tight as coiled springs, ready to chase. Their eyes shine with the hungry glint of predators. These men want payback. They want to see the Blood Servant bruised and cowed. Running will get me a bolt hole in my leg for the trouble. Staying will involve a fight I can’t possibly win.

I look at the door one more time, burying the wistful longing for grass and trees instead of walls, as well as the shower and hot meal I was promised. Yes, I could run for it, but my chances of escape are zero, and I’ve never run from a fight in my life. I’m not going to start now.

I turn to Belanger with a sigh. “Shall we just get this over with?”

Chapter 13

13

Belanger turns to his men. “Get in the cage, lads. Let’s teach this little bastard a lesson. Vander, bring the spreader bars.”