Ryker crouched in front of the unconscious guard. “Now we talk to our new friend and find out how to get out of here.”
“Good plan.” Therian knelt beside Ryker and gestured for Jacques to get off the rebel.
Once the vampire had moved, Therian slapped their prisoner.
The fae woke with a start. He snarled, but the sound quickly disappeared as he took in the situation.
“Fuck,” the rebel breathed.
Ryker glared at the fae. “Where are we?”
The rebel clamped his mouth shut.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a simple interrogation. Ryker rubbed his good hand over his face.
“Look. This has been an incredibly long night, and none of us want to hurt you.” Growls rose from some of the others, disproving his point. “Just tell us.”
A long moment passed as the fae’s gaze swept over them all. His eyes hardened, and he clenched his jaw.
“Even if you manage to get off this level, you’ll never escape. People like you are our biggest enemies. My comrades will take pride in being the ones to kill you.”
“People like us?” one of the other men asked.
“Representatives,” spat the guard. “You think you’re so far above the rest of us that you don’t even realize the trouble you cause. We’re suffering while you live your lives of luxury.”
Ryker recoiled at the hatred in the man’s voice.
“We should just kill him and get out of here.” This came from Lincoln, Death Elf and son of a Northern Representative. “He’s not going to help us.”
Time was ticking. Any minute now, the guards who’d left could return.
“He’s right,” the rebel said defiantly. “I won’t help you.”
Ryker exchanged a look with Therian. As the only two with military training, they’d easily slipped into leadership roles.
Therian raised a brow as if to say,your call.
Ryker was used to making tough decisions, but it didn’t mean he enjoyed them. After a moment, he dipped his head.
“So be it.” He grabbed the guard’s gun and gripped it firmly. “I’m sorry.”
The rebel’s eyes flashed. “You’re just proving me right. You?—”
Ryker flipped the weapon around, slamming the butt into the rebel’s temples.
The guard’s eyes closed, and his body slumped to the side.
“Have a nice nap,” Ryker muttered.
Maybe when the rebel woke up and discovered he was still alive, his perception of the Representatives would change. It was unlikely, but… maybe.
“Grab his left arm,” Ryker directed Philippe as he grabbed the right with his good arm.
Together, they maneuvered the unconscious man across the room. His feet trailed behind him, leaving a red track when they got a little too close to the dead rebel. Ryker grunted and readjusted his grip. It was uncomfortable, but he got the rebel’s hand on the biometric scanner.
The door unlocked and opened with a hiss, letting a sliver of light into the space.
They dropped the guard on the ground.