Caught Beast Mate(28)
“I don’t like you, boy.”
“I don’t like myself either.”
She glanced at my leg. “Did you ask your mate to help you meet our Great Mother?”
“She did nothing wrong.”
Hasel’s lips tipped up. “Of course not.”
Chapter Thirteen
Sienna
The beasts kept cages in the basement. I’d cleaned them before, thinking I’d never end up in here. A good girl, I did as I was told, ghosted through the hallways, minded my own business, I didn’t think I’d end up in one of them. Yet, here I was. Caged like an animal, allowed potty breaks down here in the hole in the ground that acted as a bathroom. What would they do to me now? Why oh why had I agreed to poison him?
Torrent would cook me. Alive, maybe. I’d squeal like a lobster.
Yup. He had me locked up down here until he prepped the carrots and parsley. For flavor. Acid rose in my throat, and I gagged. Thinking of my future made me sick. I scooted into the far corner and cradled my knees. I rocked, back and forth, back and forth, wanting my dad to find me. Maybe he’d come and rescue me now.
Stupid gullible me. Shouldn’t have done it. Should’ve kept my mouth shut and continued on with my life, bided my time until Dad came for me. I shouldn’t have believed Momma Jo no matter how nice she’d been to me.
Maybe if I apologized to Torrent, asked for mercy?
Keys clinking against one another made me lift my head from my knees.
Cole walked inside. He said nothing to me, only unlocked the cage and held the door open. “Potty break.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“I’m not supposed to speak with you.”
“Nobody’ll know.”
“He’ll know.”
“Who?”
“Torrent. Took over the community. We answer to him now.”
“Oh, this is not good.”
“He’s no Zarik or Hasel. I can’t believe you tried to kill him.”
“Cole,” I whispered. “Help me leave this place.”
He shook his head. “Torrent broke Zarik’s nose just for speaking your name.”
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes. If I helped you escape, who knows what he’d break on me.”
“You’re right. Forget I asked.”
Cole bound my hands with rope, leaned in, and whispered at my ear. “I got your backpack. Buried it at mark fourteen.” He leaned back, gaze still on the floor. “In case you can get away. This place is gonna blow.” He sniffed.
I took his face between my palms. “You’re a brave…” I wanted to say boy, but I said, “man,” instead.
Cole led me to the hole in the ground where I managed to do my business in his presence and with my hands bound. He led me back and untied my wrists. Before he left, I hugged him tight and swiped a spearhead tucked into his kilt. I sat back in my corner and waited for Cole to close the door. Once alone, I rolled up my sleeves and fanned myself. I didn’t know if the basement was hot or if I ran a fever. I eyed the lock.
Hasel walked in.
Crap.
I tucked the spearhead under my bottom.
She grabbed a chair and sat down in front of the cage, arms crossed over her chest. She didn’t seem mad. Disappointed. She looked disappointed in me. For some reason, it hurt. She’d trusted me more than the other girls, let me do my thing, and I’d betrayed her trust. Hasel sniffed the air and said, “You are afraid.”
“I’m in the cage.”
“Torrent wants to talk to you.”
“There’s nothing to say. I didn’t do it.”
“He says you did.”
My heart sped up. “He took all three vials of that medicine you gave him. It made him sick and delusional.”
Hasel tapped her foot. “Child, I have cared for warriors all my life. I know what I’m giving him and how much. I predicted he’d take all at once, which is why I diluted the medicine. What did you put in his food?”
“Nothing.”
“Where did you get it?”
“I didn’t!”
Hasel smiled, though it was a show of teeth. “I have learned a great deal in my years and have met a great number of beasts and now humans. I smell lies, and you lie.”
I shook my head. “No lie.”
“Reagan once tried to poison Mayhem. She didn’t have the courage. I would never think you would. Not in a million years.” She paused, waiting for my reaction. I said nothing, so she continued. “I hear Momma Jo had a word with you yesterday. I went there today and smelled something odd. It is not food she’s been cooking. Oh, there is food, but underneath, my nose scented something else. Momma Jo was as pleasant as ever. She’s up to no good.” Hasel paused again. I waited. Hasel snickered. “You’re a smart one. Keep your mouth shut. Deny deny. I know it’s you. You tried to kill Alpha’s beast in my house.”