“What the hell, Frieda?”

Protz’s query broke through my panicked thoughts, but he fell into stunned silence when Irena grabbed his collar and pulled him close. Meanwhile, I watched in horror and prepared to wrestle the gun from his grasp.

“You heard me, you stupid bastard. Get the hell out of my way.” She pushed him aside and turned to me, her voice deep with rage. “This bitch is mine.”

On the outside, I tensed, but on the inside I could have cried with relief. Of course she had reacted like Irena. She’d seized the opportunity to “give him hell,” as she would have said, but used it to our benefit. How could I have doubted her?

For a moment, Protz didn’t react, then he relaxed and put the gun away. He stepped back to watch our exchange; time for us to put on a good show. Irena closed the distance between us while I panicked.

“Forgive me, Frau Aufseherin, please, I didn’t—”

Irena kicked the empty cauldron out of my hands, and I shrank away. “You made a big mistake, didn’t you, 16671?”

As I apologized, I glanced at Protz. He looked convinced so far, but he seemed to be waiting for the inevitable. With him watching, Irena couldn’t avoid it. It’s what any guard would have done in this situation, and if she didn’t she’d be exposed as a fraud.

She had to hit me.

I’d known this time would come. Amid my pleas, I lifted my eyes to Irena’s, urging her to do it. So she obliged.

The back of her hand smacked across my cheek, bringing my frantic apologies to a halt and sending me sprawling onto the ground. The familiar numbness followed by pain spread across my face, then I realized I’d bitten my lip, so I spat the metallic taste of blood out of my mouth. While my mind cleared, Irena’s shadow loomed over me. I drew myself in and raised an arm to shield my head, as if preparing for the next blow.

“Listen carefully, Polack. You’re going to clean my uniform until every button shines brighter than the damn sun, do you understand?”

Before standing to do her bidding, I spat out another mouthful of blood. I was tempted to aim for Protz’s shiny boots, but I dismissed the amusing thought and refocused on my part. Once on my feet, I stole one more glance at Protz, who appeared satisfied. I was satisfied, too.

You don’t get both of my friends, you vile schmuck.