Page 26 (1/2)

That didn’t h For all intents and purposes, he was a guard By rights, the prisoners were supposed to be at odds with their guards For me, that meant lots of snarky put-downs I hoped he was ready for it

“You have the key, dipshit,” I called

“I do?” His voice trailed away “Oh I see It’s in the door Wait…are you a prisoner? Why are you locked in?”

I raised my eyebrows and readied for a bandy of words, but…blank His utter cluelessness htened about the situation than I was

“Are you dangerous?” he called “Should I be worried? The master didn’t mention that I should be worried”

Again, I wasn’t sure what to say

“No?” I finally ed

“You don’t sound sure Look, I’ That’s why I’oddess’s sake! I look after people—kinda I’ood at it That’s also why I’m still alive, I think There is safety into have to ask you to siuy here”

A grin was pulling at uy for real?

“I won’t hurt you,” I called

“Are you sure? Now that I think of it, the ive him that?”

“Yes, but he grabbed my throat What was I supposed to do? And honestly, I don’t even re it”

“You don’t re “What kind of a nutcase stabs a person and doesn’t re it?”

“The kind who thinks they are going to die?”

A pause Then, “Yes, okay Thatin I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t stab or hurt o and don’t want to ruin the buzz”

I shuffled away froainst the farThere I waited Nothing happened

“Are you co?” I yelled