Chapter 9: The Cell

The cells of Blackmere Keep were cut into the rock under the east tower, and they were colder than the mountain outside.

The Beta took me down himself at dawn.

Conrad followed us without a word, and he had put the mask back on.

"He asked for you," the Beta said. "Only you. He has eaten nothing since we brought him in."

The youngest Redmoor wolf sat on the floor of the last cell with his back against the wall.

His wrists were chained, his lip was split, and he looked even younger than he had at the stone.

When he saw me he got to his knees.

"I'll talk to her alone," he said hoarsely.

"You'll talk where I can hear," the Beta said.

"Please."

I looked at Conrad.

He stood in the shadow of the stairs with his arms folded and the iron mask hiding his eyes.

After a moment he nodded, and he and the Beta retreated up the passage until I could only see the edge of their torchlight.

I crouched in front of the bars.

"Why did you ask for me?"

"On the third night, you left half your supper by the fire for me," the boy said.

"I was on watch and I hadn't eaten. Nobody in the guard had ever done that."

I said nothing.

"The captain told us on the first night that you'd be dead at the stone," he said.

"He said it was Alpha's orders. I told myself I would only be walking beside it."

"You stood there while they came at me."

"I couldn't do it. I'm sorry."

"Tell me the rest."

He wiped his face on his shoulder, since his hands were chained.

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