The Scroll of Knowledge

Chapter 16

"This is your room?" I asked. It didn't look much different than the room I stayed in when I was first kidnapped. If anything, it was even more bare.

"I don't spend much time in this one," Brennan said. "I spend more time at the other houses." He pulled out a bag from underneath his bed and dropped it on the couch. He pulled open some drawers and started taking out some neatly folded clothes that he handed to me. I packed them in the bag.

"Brennan, I--"

"You want to see your boyfriend before we leave," he said, as he handed me another sweater. I couldn't read the expression on his face. "I knew that's why you came here to help."

"That's not the only reason. Your arm is broken," I said. "Did it hurt a lot?"

"I didn't feel a thing until a few hours later. I was far too angry." He opened a box on the dresser and took out a silver chain with a shark's tooth. "I was planning to take you to see him anyway. You didn't have to come."

"I already told you, that wasn't the main reason. Give it to me." I took the chain from his hand and unclipped it. He handed me the ring Shay had stolen. I moved to take the shark tooth out but he stopped me.

"Leave it on. Just thread the ring," he said. I did as he said then helped him put it around his neck. He tucked it beneath his shirt, then he took up a bag that was lying on the desk and handed it to me. "Here. You can take a shower in my bathroom or you can go back to yours. It doesn't matter either way."

Doesn't matter? I didn't even share a bathroom with my own mother. How can I use his?

"I'll go back to my room," I said. I headed for the door.

"You know we can't take him with us," Brennan called after me.

"I know," I said. I wouldn't be able to trust him either.

I went straight to my room and took a quick shower. The clothes Brennan had given me were capris and a light airy t-shirt with sneakers. Wherever we were going, it was going to be hot. Another thing that I noticed was that everything I'd been given to wear was very stylish and complimented my skin tone. I wondered if Brennan had chosen it himself or someone else had bought it for him. From the little I knew of him, the first option was the most likely one. I tried not to think of the underwear.

Brennan was leaning against the wall outside my room. He was reading something on his bracelet. When he saw me he straightened and slung the bag over his shoulder.

"This way," he said.

He led me down some stairs, through some doors, and then finally we reached what looked like a dungeon with holding cells similar to what I had been put in before.

Brennan left his bag at the door and then continued. I was so nervous that I tripped on the last stair. Brennan steadied me then we continued. Most of the cells were filled with men and women who didn't even acknowledge our presence. He stopped in front of one of the cells. All the surrounding cells were empty.

"Derek!" I said.

He came over to the bars. "You're alright." He didn't look injured, just tired.

"What happened? Why didn't you come back?" I asked.

"I wasn't able to. They had me working."

"Torturing Shay for information you mean," I said. He didn't answer. "You should have told me about the key from the beginning."

"I couldn't."

"Why not? If I knew it was going to bring so much trouble I would have just given it to you."