Page 12 of Ruthless Monsters

I smile back at him, because this is precisely what I need. I’m on my feet and my hand is jabbing into the guard’s throat before he can utter another word. He splutters, jerking back as his mouth opens and closes like he’s a fish starving for air. Before I can deliver another blow, the other guards step forward. One of them slams their steel baton onto my cuff, while another delivers a punch to my nose. Pain ricochets through me as I’m forced to my knees, and I smile as blood trails from my nose.

“And here I was hopin’ we might escape the obligatory beatin’ for new arrivals that’s common in prisons,” Nate mutters, finally moving from his relaxed position on the cot. “All right,” the shifter says, facing the guards as Prince Callan and Alaric tense. “Let’s get this over with.”

Chapter

Five

~ Prince Callan ~

My Ahalian Touizda has been taken from me.My mate.Rage makes my blood heat as my soul demands vengeance. I think about finding those who have taken her from me, and making them suffer unimaginable pain. Instinctively, I try to access my power, digging for that energy inside me, but pain rushes up my leg, making my muscles contract. Not having my magic is an incredible inconvenience, but right now the agony is like a breath of fresh air, and I breathe through the pain like I have done since I discovered the demon princess was gone.

When we were in the ruins of Perstalia, I’d thought I could handle not being with her. I’d deluded myself into thinking I could reject the bond and return to Toralyn alone, but now that lie has been shattered. Whether I want the bond or not, the demon princess is my fated, and I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do about it. The pain from the cuff helps me focus my mind, and I close my eyes, surrendering myself to it. I thinkabout the promise I made all those years ago. I need to get back to Toralyn, but it looks like I’m going to have to find a way to take my mate with me. Because she is…mine.

I open my eyes in time to see one of the prison guards slam his fist into Nate’s face. The shifter is thrown backward, and he laughs as he picks himself up from the floor. This angers the guards more, and they start dealing out blow after blow, attacking him mercilessly. The demon, Dante, gets the same treatment, the two of them sharing the punishment, but I don’t move from my position. It’s nothing Nine Lives doesn’t deserve, and the image of him bleeding on the floor of a prison cell reminds me of the first time I saw him in Toralyn…

“Ah, this must be your generous hospitality I’ve heard so much about,” the prisoner laughs, lifting his head from the filthy floor that’s smeared with his blood. Three angels watch on, and one of them flicks his hand sending out another wave of power. The prisoner curls up on his side, clenching his teeth as he hisses in pain.

“That’ll do,” I say, striding into the cell. “Leave us.”

The prisoner’s head slumps to the stone floor, and he lays there breathing heavily as the guards file out. When the door to the cell closes again, the prisoner peers up at me through bloodshot eyes. Claws peek from his fingertips, but the magical barrier around the cell stops him from shifting entirely. His lips twist into a crooked smile. “An audience with an archangel prince. Now what did I do to deserve this honor?”

I ignore his question and watch as he sits up and props his back against the cell wall. “Your execution has been planned for the end of the week to correlate with the queen’s birthday,”I say. “I hear, it’ll be quite the spectacle to have Nine Lives tortured and killed as the opening act of her party. The infamous shifter thief caught in Toralyn. It’s all anyone is talking about.”

The prisoner chuckles dryly. “The openin’ act? Had I known the angels loved me this much, I would’ve visited years ago.”

My brow wrinkles as I stare at him. I’m not sure whether he understands the gravity of his situation. “I don’t know exactly what the queen has planned, but I can assure you it will be unpleasant. Likely, you’ll wish for death long before the moment comes. I find it curious that you would even contemplate trying to steal our most sacred artifact, considering this palace is the most secure place in Toralyn.”

He smiles. “What can I say? The greater the challenge, the bigger the reward.”

My lips quirk up at the sides, and I cross my arms in front of my chest, surprised by the male’s casual demeanor. I’d prepared myself to converse with a savage thief, but had we lived different lives, I could imagine myself sharing a drink with the male across from me. It’s an odd thought that leaves me unsettled.

I lift my gaze to the camera in the left corner of the room. The red light is still not blinking, but I know I don’t have much time. When I turn my attention back to the prisoner, his slitted gaze is clear and calculating, and there’s something in his eyes that makes me think he already noticed the camera isn’t recording.

“Nine prisons,” I say. “I’m told you’ve escaped from nine prisons in the past, and nine death sentences, hence the name, Nine Lives. Can I ask, did you come up with the nickname yourself?”

He grins. “Actually, I’ve escaped more times than that, but Eleven Lives doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?”

“Well, unfortunately for you, this isn’t a prison you’re going to be able to break out of. The moment the queen realized who she’d captured, she took extra measures to ensure your…secure incarceration. Not even someone with your reputation could make it past the multiple security layers she’s put into place.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “If that’s the case, and I am fucked, then do me a favor and leave me in peace to enjoy my last moments, will you?”

His lack of fear intrigues me, and had this been a different situation, I would have walked away just so I could see if he is as great at escaping prisons as I’ve been told.

I glance at the camera again. Still no red light. “I’ll admit, I do regret stopping you from enjoying your time with the guards,” I say, smirking. “You’re somewhat of a celebrity around here, and I know they’re keen to get to know you.”

He lounges back against the wall. “In that case, if you’re done gloating.” He gestures to the door, but I don’t move.

My lips flatten. “I didn’t come here to watch you squirm, shifter.”

There’s a gleam in his reddish-gold eyes as he watches me. “Then why are you here, prince?”

I take the time to choose my words carefully. “It’s not possible for you to escape this place,” I say, hesitating before continuing. “But with a little assistance it could potentially be achievable.”

He stares at me warily, and though the movement is subtle, I note the way he sits up a little straighter. “Assistance?” he questions, speaking slowly. “And what would this assistance cost?”

I check the camera again. “I need to get someone out of Toralyn. If I can get you out of the prison, you must take them with you to the beast realm.”

His brows slam down. “I’m no smuggler.”

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