Page 94 of A Thief to Die For

‘Fire!’ shouts Rufus.

Marian’s listing to the side, her face a grimace. She’s hurt and struggling.

‘Hold on,’ I shout.

Soren reaches around and punches her in the ribs. It breaks her hold, and he slips out. With another shot, he knocks her to the floor, then dives for the cuff again. Too fast, there’s an ominous click as it locks, clamping around her leg. He springs off her, breathing hard, fingers repeatedly dabbing at his nose as he backs away.

‘I’m going to kill you,’ I promise Soren.

‘There’s a fire!’ Rufus calls again.

Rufus’s words finally register, and I see the broken lamp that fell off the wall when Soren threw Marian. A fire has started, spreading surprisingly fast across the floor.

Soren stares, then looks around with alarm, unsure.

The dry timber of the tower begins to snap and pop as the fire licks up the wall to the right of Marian.

‘Hey, you have to free us!’ Rufus calls. ‘We’ll die if you don’t.’

Soren seems frozen, his gaze locked on Marian, who’s struggling to push herself up. Leaving would kill the Commander’s daughter.

Yes, help her.

But then he glances at me, and any sliver of compassion is wiped from his face. ‘Not sure how I’m supposed to free you if you’re going to kill me.’

Rufus releases an animalistic scream as Soren runs from the room.

‘Marian?’ She’s closest to the flames, but they’re spreading across the floor.

She manages to push herself into a sitting position, back propped against the wall. Her chest rises and falls hard.

‘Marian,’ I urge, reaching for her. My chained foot feels like it’s ripping off. ‘Look at me.’

Her head rolls my way.

‘Good. Now try to free your ankle.’

Her eyes widen at the fire, as if she’s only just noticed it.

‘I know. Ignore it,’ I say. ‘You have one job right now – get yourself free. Check your ankle, love.’

She gives the cuff a firm tug, confirming my fears – it’s secure. Her face twists with confusion as she looks back at me. ‘But what about you? Why aren’t you trying?’

There’s no saving me. ‘Don’t worry about that. Do it again,’ I urge.

She fiddles with the metal. Then fights with it, yanking hard.

She’s as trapped as we are. I drop my head, wincing through the panic as I try to think.

Rufus starts screaming, ‘Help! Someone help us!’

Smoke fills the air, and Marian coughs.

‘Get lower,’ I tell her. ‘The air will be better closer to the floor.’

We both lie down, and Rufus does the same. But the fire is spreading too fast.

‘I’m sorry,’ she says. ‘I couldn’t –’