Page 98 of Escape from the Green

"Indeed. And, apparently, so is my father. Funny, that. The thing he despises most about himself is what he inflicted on me as well."

"Yes, hilarious," I snapped at him as I made my way to the washroom, making use of the facilities provided, carefully scrubbing at my face and hands as the guards brought barrel after barrel of hot water in to fill the tub.

Left alone, I bolted the door, trying the windows, but finding them either locked magically, or simply too heavy for me to lift. Trapped. This was not my chance to escape.

But, I reminded myself as I filled the tub with flowers and herbs, stripping, and climbing in, a chance would come. And I would take it. Until then, I would...

"Better?" Jet's voice asked.

But not from behind the locked door.

No.

From inside it.

From directly beside the tub.

On a shriek, my hands flew to cover my body even though most of it was obscured by the floating petals in the water.

"Get. Out."

"Relax. I believe we have already established that I have no interest in you in that way," he said nonchalantly, resting his butt on the edge of the tub, looking down at my face. "How did you get yourself found?"

I bristled at the implication. Like I was naive, stupid, careless.

But, in a way, I maybe had been all those things.

I so wanted to be in touch with my siblings that I had risked everything. And, possibly, everyone that I cared for.

"I was trying to get a letter to my brother, telling him I was okay. I don't know how I was found. I was... hidden well."

"Trackers," Jet said, shrugging. "Once they get your scent - which they did in that hovel you called an apartment, along with three others - they can pick even the tiniest whiff of it up on the wind should it reappear."

Great.

Wait.

Three others.

"Did anyone else get taken in with me?" I asked, hearing a bit of franticness in my voice, and really not caring.

"Not that I am aware of. And I make it a point to be aware of just about everything."

"Does Cass know you took me out of the dungeons?"

"If he doesn't know already, I am sure he soon will."

"Will I be thrown back down there?" I asked, trying to keep the dread out of my voice.

"I doubt he will find it necessary."

"Because he trusts you?"

"My father is usually too busy with his own betrayals to wonder if I have my own."

"What is your plan? Why save me from..." I trailed off at the cold, humorless laugh that escaped him.

"I didn't save you, Amethyst," he told me, shaking his head at me as though I was a fool.