I reached through the bars of the cage’s door and felt around the locking mechanism with my fingers first. There was definitely a keyhole, but without anything to jam into it, I wasn’t sure how I was going to force it open.
I glanced down at my jagged stone tool, still lying on the floor where I’d left it. It might have been a little big, but if I could force it into the keyhole until it chipped away enough…
It wasn’t the best plan, but this whole escape business was a work in progress. If this didn’t work, I’d figure something else out. Lieja wasn’t going to release me until I started worshiping her like her stupid harem did, and even if I put on my best I’m so sorry act, she’d have to be even dumber than she looked to buy it.
Either I got myself out of here, or I’d die here in this cell. No other options. I had to act.
I let out a sigh of resolution and picked up the stone again. My palms were burning, but it didn’t matter. I’d spent most of my life working out for long hours and practicing until my feet bled.
Once I was free, I’d find some way off of this planet—then I’d find Savannah and figure out some way to get us both home. A little pain now was irrelevant compared to how incredible it’d feel when I was finally out of this dungeon, away from this palace, and telling Nightmoor to kiss my round, firm backside goodbye for good.
I stuck my hand back through the bars on the door and awkwardly shifted the stone against the keyhole. I knew I wouldn’t get it on the first try. I probably wouldn’t even get it on the hundredth one. But it was all I had right now, and however terribly my mama had raised me, she hadn’t raised a quitter.
I was just about to jam the stone into the lock when I heard something that made my blood run cold.
“Ahem.”
I froze at the noise.
I wasn’t alone.
From the shadows, just like before, a tall, orange-skinned body emerged. His black eyes bored into me. One of his eyebrows twitched, almost like I was doing something particularly amusing.
“I would not do that if I were you.”
Crap. I’d only just barely entered the second stage of my big escape plan, and already, I was caught.
“And why not?” I lowered the stone from the lock in resignation as Apex came closer. “You’re going to tell your girlfriend on me, I guess?”
“My…girl-friend?” This time, when Apex’s eyebrow moved, it arched up in confusion. “Queen Lieja is not my mate, if that is what you are suggesting.”
“Oh.” I took a step back, feeling a little embarrassed. That was what I got for making assumptions. “Well…good. Then help me out of here. I’ve got places to be.”
“There are no places to be on Nightmoor.” Apex glanced down at the stone in my hand and tilted his head to the side. “And even if there were, your current bid for freedom is an ill-conceived one. I do not know how they make locks here on Earth, but the one you were about to shove that rock into is wired to deliver a deadly shock to any who tamper with it. If you want to be released from your cage, you will need a key.”
Deadly shock…double crap. As annoyed as I was that I’d just gotten caught mid-escape, there was no denying that Apex had just saved my life.
“Well, get me the key, then.” I sighed, realizing that I’d forgotten my manners. “And. Um. Thanks for the heads-up.”
“You would be wiser to keep your head down.” He folded his arms over his chest unhelpfully. “Why not simply apologize to Lieja for attempting to murder her? She speaks of you often. I believe she misses you. Would it be so difficult to behave yourself in exchange for your freedom?”
“Yes,” I told him emphatically. That was the whole point. “I’m not following her orders anymore, and I’m not bowing down and kissing her ugly royal slippers, either. I should have killed her when I had the chance.”
“You tried,” Apex reminded me. “You failed.”
“But if I hadn’t—”
Apex held up a hand to silence me. “The past cannot be changed. You failed. Continuing your insubordination will only make things more difficult for you. How can you not see that?”
“Oh, I can see it.” I rolled my eyes. This guy might have been handsome, but jeez, dealing with him was kind of tedious. “I just don’t want to. Is that what you do—when someone jumps, you ask how high?”
“If it was to my benefit in the long run, yes.” Apex clicked his tongue at me. His eyes were still staring, though. Beneath his gaze, I either felt like a hot piece of ass, or a hunk of meat. “Honor, pride—these things mean nothing when fate is stacked against you. I am surprised that you have not realized that yet.”
“I don’t know about you, buddy, but my pride is just about all I have left.” I looked down to my cleavage and ridiculous costume, dusty and splotched with dirt, and was way too aware of the way Apex followed my gaze. “And even then…”
“Pride is a privilege,” Apex countered. “Afforded only to those with the power to claim it. Without that power…what is the point?”
His eyes didn’t leave my tits and I wasn’t sure that I wanted them to. Sure, I’d had a few silly, secret flings back on Earth, but my encounters with the opposite sex
