I quickly figured out the math in my head. A month? It was a month away?
“Why so far? And why only me?” I asked.
“Canary pays a lot for delivery and isn’t in need of large numbers of Pallid Slaves. They only need a couple a year unless their slaves die and they need to replenish.”
Cross walked toward his seat, pulled out a metal container, and handed it to me to drink. When I placed my lips to the edge and felt the wet coolness of water, it took all my might not to moan. Drinking the liquid was pure heaven.
“What will I be doing there?”
“Get her out of here,” Pike barked. “Her fucking questions are annoying the hell out of me.”
Cross quickly responded by grabbing me by the arm, and helping me stand. “It’s this way,” he said, clearly not wanting to upset Pike anymore than he already was.
Deciding it best to be compliant, I allowed Cross to walk me down a narrow corridor dimly lit in fluorescent lights.
Cross pointed to a closed metal door to my right. “That door leads to the head. It is the only one on the ship, so you will be sharing with Pike and me.” He pointed to the metal door across from the head. “That door is where Pike and I bunk.”
He continued to lead me a few feet further until we entered a circular compartment that clearly was the ship’s galley. A small table that sat four was the only furniture in the room. Cross didn’t say anything as he turned us to the right down another small corridor that led to another metal door. He pushed a large silver button as the door slid open, revealing a small room with a double-sized bed, a dresser with a mirror over it, and a metal high-back chair. There were no windows, no frills, and the room didn’t have much more to offer than a prison cell.
“There are clothes in the drawers that should fit you.” He sized me up, and then added, “The pants have drawstrings. They may be a little big.”
I walked in the room, with him following right behind, and stood there staring at him. He waited as if expecting me to say something or do something. What more was there to be said?
Clearing his throat, his eyes darted around the room. “It isn’t much, I know.”
I walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge of it. I hadn’t actually slept on a real bed in over six months…maybe even longer. Cots and whatever makeshift beds had become a part of my norm. It would be a luxury crawling in beneath the covers and falling asleep, not worrying about a battle raging all around me. I hadn’t slept without a gun by my side, or ready to defend myself on a moment’s notice in years. Glancing at the pillows, picturing my head melting into the fluffy white, I looked up at him to see why he was still remaining.
He stood there in silence, like he was on guard or something. He cleared his throat and said, “So the rules…”
It seemed like he was completely uncomfortable having to be in an authoritative position. So uncomfortable, in fact, that I actually felt bad for him. Where as maybe if it were anyone else, I may have given a snarky retort, or even act combative. But with Cross, I could see he didn’t want to be in my room any more than I did. So, without saying a single word, I simply looked up at him to listen.
“You will have to be locked in your room unless escorted by either my brother or me.” He pointed to a button by the door. “Press this, and it will intercom us. So if you have to go to the head at night, or…”
I sat and stared in silence which seemed to surprise him. I think Cross expected me to act out in some way. Maybe he was used to the other Pallid Slaves melting down and throwing a fit about becoming a prisoner to the brothers. I, on the other hand, had accepted that as my fate the moment I boarded the vessel.
“If you try to resist us, we have chain hooks under the bed, as well as other restraints on the ship. I don’t want to put them on you, but my brother may feel otherwise. Just be good, and don’t give Pike any reason to punish you.”
I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head, studying how he said the word “punish.” It seemed to cause him distress. Even more so when the threat seemed to have little effect on me.
“Truth,” Cross swallowed hard before continuing, “I would suggest not challenging Pike. He has a severe temper and doesn’t have patience for any poor behavior. He expects things run a certain way—his way. I want to warn you that you need to obey his every command.” Cross paused and when I didn’t say anything in response, he added, “That’s not to say I’m not here to…to…” He ran his fingers through his dark hair with just the slightest undertones of gold. “Just don’t question him.”