When we get downstairs and I don’t see the staff or smell the food that’s normally ready at this hour, my nerves spike.
Where is everyone?
I look around for them as I follow Sebastian, but no one’s here.
Suddenly, I wish I could see Aleksander’s scowling face or the rude maids, because something isn’t right.
And… I think I might know what it is.
I believe something’s not right even more when Sebastian reaches the door leading down to the basement and opens it.
This is the second place I was told not to enter when I first got here. It looks like I have permission now.
But why?
“After you.” He waves a hand motioning for me to walk through the door.
I walk in, but truthfully, I want to run away.
He’s behind me now, and any hope to run is gone. He must have preempted I’d want to flee.
The stairs are made of stone and are wider than the steps in the house.
It feels more like a dungeon than a basement. I’m used to dungeons, so I would know.
Another one of Mikhail’s guards stands at the bottom of the stairs. His name is Levka. He’s another from his senior security team. A sure sign something is definitely wrong.
Why would I need two of his best guards to usher me to him if it wasn’t?
He knows.
Mikhail knows the truth.
I can feel it in my bones.
I can feel it all over me, so I don’t bother to ask questions about what’s happening. I just move like I’m walking to the gallows. I know there’s no hope left. This time, no one will save me.
I’m taken to a metal door, and the guard in front of us opens it.
“Go inside,” Sebastian orders.
I do, and that’s where I see Mikhail standing at the far corner of the room which looks more like a prison cell—so yeah, I’m in a dungeon.
His back is turned to me, so I can’t read his face. He has one hand behind his back, and the other is holding something.
When the door closes behind me, he turns, and I see his face.
That’s when I know I’m right.
He knows.
He knows the truth.
The truth about me.
God. I’m sure of it.
His face resembles the way he looked when he first came to get me from the dungeon in Mexico. Back then, however, there was a mocking edge to him, like the conquering villain.
