Page 15 of The Eternal Choice

I feel a small shift in Ernestino’s mood and he steps back. “You’re dismissed. Go home.”

Nario jumps to his feet. “You can’t pull me off, I’m in this, this is my kill.”

“Your kill,” I echo. “I thought the job was to torture the man to get some inside information.” Glancing at Ernestino and Ivano I ask, “Was I wrong to assume such a thing?”

“Ivano, get Nario home.” Ernestino grinds his teeth and pulls his phone from his pocket.

A puff of smoke billows from Nario’s nostrils and the look of hatred he’s giving Ernestino has tripled compared to a moment ago.

Ivano shoves Nario against his shoulder and it seems to jolt the fucker out of a mental plot to kill his brother. At least, that’s what it looks like from my point of view. Damn. I should consider myself lucky with only one brother, and the relationship I have with Fiero. Yes, we disagree at times, and do fight, but the hatred I just witnessed against a sibling? Nah, that shit ain’t right.

There’s more going on than just a brother being pissed at his own blood brother being clan leader because he couldn’t get the title himself. This hatred lies deep, much, much deeper.

“Thank you,” the prisoner murmurs.

I cross my arms in front of my chest. “A little presumptuous, don’t you think? The only reason I cut your mouth open was to get some answers while I’m torturing you.”

The prisoner’s gaze bounces from me to Ernestino.

“Don’t look at him,” I snap and have him by the throat within my next breath. “You look at me. I’ll be the one cutting your throat when I think you’re as useless as you seem to be.”

He inhales and gives me his eyes when he says, “You’re a vampire.”

A grin starts to appear on his face, and I barely restrain myself from rolling my eyes. I mean, come on, does he really think fire is going to kill or harm me? I cover his mouth with my hand just before he inhales and is about to breathe fire. Yes, I’ve read about dragon shifters being able to do that without shifting. I also might have read about toxins building up if they have to swallow it down.

“I’m not opposed to stapling your mouth shut, asshole. Growing back eyebrows takes longer than my skin healing. It’s annoying, not even close to life-threatening.” In one fluid move I’m standing behind him to give him a chance to reply and do better while I press the ninja star against his throat. “You, on the other hand, have suffered enough torture over the past few hours and are very easy to kill if I cut your neck deep enough. Any last words I might accept in exchange for your life?”

He snorts and leans forward, letting the ninja star dig deeper against his neck. “You don’t have any authority to make decisions.”

Ernestino takes a step forward. “My brother might have fucked up by opening his big mouth, thinking he can make decisions for me, but this woman right here is doing the questioning right now. I’m right here with her. Talk and we’ll decide.”

“Promise me free passage to my aunt and I’ll give you all the information I have.” The prisoner keeps his gaze locked on Ernestino.

“Clan name,” he only grunts in response.

“Lanroussos.”

Ernestino gives a slight nod, and I remove the ninja star from the prisoner’s neck.

“We’ve been targeting the mine to keep the focus on the main entrance. Meanwhile, on the other side, we’ve been digging a tunnel. Last night we finally managed to reach the vein.”

Ernestino’s fingers curl into fists. “It explains the sudden explosion of violence this morning. Tell me, how long has Marshgloom been digging those tunnels?”

The prisoner seems truthful and yet everyone lies, if it’s a small, harmless loophole or about crucial things.

The prisoner hangs his head. “Seven months.”

I empty my lungs and focus when I breathe in while Ernestino replies, “They reached the vein last night and haven’t managed to–”

The prisoner cuts Ernestino off by saying, “Tony wanted to wait until your focus was with the loss of the fallen men. I presume they will start later tonight and place bombs on the other side for distraction. This way they can transport the gemstones without suspicion once they blast them free.”

This fucker’s lies leave a sour taste on my tongue.

“Lies,” I snarl and my ninja star is pressing right beneath his ear. “Tell me, are there even tunnels?”

“Yes,” he grits. “I’m telling the truth. Why would I lie? Ernestino promised me a free passage if I gave him useful information.”

Dammit. He’s telling the truth about the tunnels. So, why did I taste a lie? Oh. Fuck. “Then enlighten me about the useful part when I’m pretty sure the reason you’re telling Ernestino about the tunnels isn’t about saving the gemstones in the mines but all about trapping most of their men in those mines. Hell, maybe even hope Ernestino takes lead because he’s been fighting right alongside his men.”

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