Page 85 of Consumed By Fire

I do as he says, and the other one clicks on shackles. I wince as they bite into my flesh. Then, I am being escorted down the hallway and into a bright room. A fluorescent light buzzes above our heads as we enter.

“Turn around.” My shackles are removed from one hand.

“Sit,” another one of them says.

I do as instructed, and the shackles are fixed to the table.

I sit and wait for what feels like a long time, but is only about half an hour or so in reality.

A male enters. I recognize him from earlier, despite his face still being covered. He has the crest of the general on the front of his armor. This is worse than I thought. The general himself feels the need to question me. We’re in trouble. He takes a seat and stares at me for an age. I want to squirm, but I manage to rein myself in.

Don’t say anything.

I recall Octane’s words to me. I’m assuming that he has concocted some or other story. Since I can’t find out what that story is exactly, I am expected to remain silent.

I don’t see how it will ever work, but I will do as he says until I am forced into a corner. My first instinct is to tell them everything and to plead for Octane’s life. Thing is, I tried the direct approach before, and it didn’t work out so well for me.

“Why did you meet with the Draiger?” the general asks me. He is also one of the princes. I’m not sure whether to call him “Your Highness” or “General.”

“Is he okay?” I wince. Five seconds into this interrogation and I have already given my hand away.

“Why do you care either way? He is a Draiger. Our enemy.”

“I don’t care. It’s just that he seemed…nice.” I know Octane. I’m sure that he is going to do everything in his power to protect me, which means pretending we don’t know each other. He called me “female.” I know it was to send a message.

“You’re saying you’d never met him before today?” He narrows his eyes, leaning forward a little.

“Yes…no… I mean, no, I never met him before today. You are right; the answer to your question is no,” I say, speaking far too quickly and saying too much. I need to get a grip.

“The two of you seemed…close. You were touching him. Why would you touch a stranger?”

“Did I…touch him? I don’t remember that.” A flimsy reply at best.

“You did. What information did you give him in return for the money?” he asks in a clipped tone.

“What money?” I frown.

“Don’t play innocent with me, female. You know what money. It was there in the bag.” He sounds irritated.

“Oh…I didn’t know that. I didn’t look inside the bag.” I shrug, making a face.

“There was fifty thousand dollars inside it.”

“Fifty? What?” My eyes bug out. “That’s a lot of money.” I had no idea Octane was going to give me that much money. He’s nuts…and in trouble, and it’s all my fault. I feel my eyes prickle.

Not now!

No!

I sniff a few times, trying to keep my emotions in check. It doesn’t work.

“You seem upset. Why?” He leans back and folds his arms.

I frown and give him a dirty look. “Are you kidding me? You have me locked up…for being at the wrong place at the wrong time,” I throw at him. “Besides, I’m pregnant, which means that I’m hormonal. I cry for nothing. I looked at a bird in the tree the other day and started crying. I thought I recognized him as a bird I once knew, but I guess that’s beside the point. Looking at a bird made me cry. I hope you’re satisfied with my answer.”

“Not even close.” He shakes his head in disgust. “Last chance; how do you know the Draiger?” he asks me.

“I don’t!” I tell him. “I saw him for the first time today.” I pray that I’m right in my responses.