As soon as I entered, my arm was caught, and I was dragged into the room and around to slam my back against the wall. Nearly knocking the air out of me.

I found myself staring up at a tall, slender man. One I'd never met. "Why are-are you in Gram's house?"

"Why are you?" He demanded. His authoritative tone spurred me to answer despite myself.

"She's my friend." I peered around him and saw Gram in the distance. She was sitting in her old rocking chair. Tipping it slowly.

"You shouldn't have come, Dear." She shook her head. Though she was trying hard to make her movements look calm, it was clear they were not.

She's scared and anxious. Why?

"Why are they here, Grandma? What's going on?"

"We need her to tell us something very important."

"So, tell them, Gram."

"I cannot!" Gram snapped angrily, rocking faster.

"What is it, Gram?"

She said nothing.

The leader kept pressure on my shoulder to ensure I couldn't go anywhere. He twisted around.

"Tell me where he is!" He demanded.

She tightened her lips. The wrinkles at the corner of her eyes grew strained.

"Who?" I asked tentatively of the leader.

His head whipped to see me.

"Her son!" He pointed behind him angrily.

"I-I know where he is..." I said.

"Cerise!" Gram objected. Leaning forward and trying to silence me. Her eyes desperate.

"Where?" The man roared. His attention focused on me hatefully. Brown eyes cold and flat.

"I'll-I'll t-t-take you to him...If you let her go." I nodded toward Gram.

He grinned slowly. Eyes going hooded. "Oh, it'll take a hell of a lot more than that, Sweetheart."

"L-like?" I was scared my hands were shaking.

Is he going to want to kill me instead?

His eyes drifted over my face and down toward the rise of my upper breasts shadowed beneath the filmy fabric of my white undershirt. He massaged the round of one with his thumb resting below my collar.

I caught my breath as his meaning became clear.

***

I chewed my lip a moment. Gathering the remnants of my slippery courage enough to blurt. "If I let you, will you release her?"

He chuckled coldly. "Who said I need you to let me?"

That made me swallow a lump in my throat.

"Will you let her go?" I persisted.

He dropped his hand. "I suppose. If you're real good and you tell me what I want to know, I could do that."

"Let her go first."

"Why?" He reared back in half amusement. Eyeing me sideways.

"Because I won't do anything for you otherwise." I jutted my chin in a way that made my mom reiterate it was why I was so old and unmarried.

Still in their cottage instead of with a husband.

"Let her go." I forced strength into my voice as I commanded it.

"Fine. What do I call you, Little Firefly."

"My name is Cerise."

"Pretty name." He commented offhandedly. "Tell me what you'll do for me, pretty Cerise."

"Whatever you need. If you let her go."

"Fine." He tilted his head to inspect me. Catching a lock of silky black hair to stroke thoughtfully with his thumb. "But if you don't show me where to find Wrath after, I'll break you..."

I met his look. Feeling my heart racing in my chest as I wondered how the hell I was going to pull this off.

"Do you understand me, Cerise?" He said my name slowly. Making it sound far more intimate than it should've.

***

"I do."

"Good." He walked over to stick his head out the door. "Let the old woman go. Stay where you are."

There's more people out there? It occurred to me that was why all the creatures had been silent. Why I'd felt such a sense of unsettle when I'd arrived.

I should've gone to get help then. I cursed my fool actions.

But I didn't know.

"Go, Old Woman. I'll find your boy. One way or the other, his reign is coming to an end." He walked over and pushed open the door. Leaving it gaping.

Gram eyed me as she hesitantly walked toward it. She suddenly stopped and reached to close the door.

Deciding she won't leave me.

"Go, Gram." I said. Giving her a long look that I hoped would convey that I couldn't fight them or try to escape if I had to worry about her.

I need her to go now.

She returned my gaze. Her fine white brows drawing together on her tanned forehead as she looked strained.

"Go." I mouthed. "Please."

She chewed her cheek and looked morose as she stared at me. Stepping out the door and looking at me until she'd eased from a clear view of me.

"Go, Gram." I called to her. "Hurry."

The man walked over and jerked the door closed with a bang that rang with finality. Like the cage door sealing.

"Now, Pretty. Let's have a look at you before we get down to business."