Ryker squeezed Brynleigh’s hand, a silent reminder that he was here. She was strong, but even the strongest people felt afraid sometimes.
He walked slightly ahead of her as they entered the expansive lobby. Black marble tiles complemented dark walls stretching two stories high. Two tall, leafy green plants stood sentinel on either side of the door. The only other furnishing was the expansive desk in the middle of the space.
Green eyes were trained on them. An Earth Elf dressed in military gear sat behind the desk, his appearance incongruous with their faux-academic surroundings. His sleeves were rolled up, displaying the green Maturation mark running up his left arm like a vine. The soldier’s black hair was cropped short, and he sat perfectly straight in his chair. Though Ryker couldn’t see it, he was certain a gun was strapped to the man’s belt.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
The air in this space was heavy, and Brynleigh’s icy fingers twitched in Ryker’s as she pressed against him. He wasn’t sure she knew she was doing it, but his chest swelled with masculine pride. She was seeking safety in him, and by the Black Sands, it made him feel something he had thought was forever lost.
He wouldn’t let her down.
“Captain Ryker Waterborn?” The elf behind the desk finally spoke.
“Yes,” Ryker replied. “We’re here to see Prisoner 07562.”
The Earth Elf’s gaze swung over to Brynleigh, and he frowned. “It’s highly unusual to bring visitors here, Captain.”
Disapproval dripped from the soldier’s tone, and there was nothing kind about the way he looked at Ryker’s wife. Obviously, the fae captain knew visitors didn’t visit Moonwater often. After all, prisons weren’t high on the Republic of Balance’s list of tourist destinations.
“I’m aware, but the circumstances warrant it.” Ryker canted his head.
He’d used a considerable amount of influence to get the clearance. Sometimes, there were benefits to being the son of a Representative. It wasn’t the first time Ryker had pulled strings using the power of his name, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. Being a Waterborn was fucking exhausting, but there were some advantages.
The Earth Elf furrowed his brows. “Still, some would say this is rather foolish?—”
“I’m bringing her in,” Ryker said, his tone brokering no room for discussion. “I have the clearance to be here, and so does my wife.”
Inwardly, he acknowledged the Earth Elf might be right. It wasn’t outside the realm of possibility that his actions bordered on being foolish. After all, he was taking the woman who had planned on killing him just over a month ago on a sensitive mission. However, there was a high likelihood this would provide them with the break they needed to learn more about the Black Night, so it was worth the potential risk.
Outwardly, Ryker showed no sign that he thought the Earth Elf’s words had any value. He ranked higher than this soldier, and he was done with this conversation.
Several tense moments passed before the Earth Elf seemed torealize arguing wouldn’t get him anywhere. He dipped his chin, stood, and strode to the door behind his desk. His movements were stiff as he punched a code into the keypad.
“Good luck,” the guard said dryly, swinging open the door.
Grunting a reply that sounded somewhat like, “Thanks,” Ryker placed his hand on Brynleigh’s lower back and led her past the desk.
The door slammed shut when they crossed the threshold, leaving them in a frigid, dimly lit corridor. The stone walls and cement floor lacked the lobby’s beauty, reflecting this place’s true, depraved nature.
Ryker curled his fingers around his wife’s.
“Welcome to Moonwater Prison,” he said grimly.
The roomthey sought was located on the third floor. The scholarly atmosphere was long gone, leaving them surrounded by institutional, white-washed walls, locked doors, and windowless corridors. It was nighttime, but that didn’t matter in here. Bright lights shone from the ceiling, chasing away even the hint of shadows.
Guards were strategically placed throughout the prison, stoically standing watch as Ryker and Brynleigh strode past. Unlike the Earth Elf at the entrance, none of them attempted to stop them.
The first two floors had been loud, filled with a symphony of pain. Endless screams and cries had come from the cells.
Ryker would take those dreadful melodies over the eerie silence of the third floor.
There were no more screams. No more pleas for mercy. Somehow, the quiet was even worse. Every beat of his heart was too loud, every breath too much.
He gripped Brynleigh’s fingers. She hadn’t spoken since they left theEarth Elf at the entrance.
Maybe he should’ve pushed back more on bringing her here, but it was too late. The cell they sought was right in front of them. Black numbers were etched onto the white door. A silver scanner was above the handle, like the one they’d encountered entering the prison.
Institutional. Secure. Cold. Heartless.