“Don’t smile like that. It’s creepy.” Zaiden roughly shoved Seth down again. “I don't know what goes on in that messed up head of yours. Do you even realize what you just did?”

Seth’s teeth shone red from the blood gathering in his mouth. A regular freakshow and a psychopath. Even pinned down he was menacing. Emryn watched as his tongue swiped the red liquid from his teeth before his eyes turned down in a glare. “Do you really think so little of me, Amin?”

Finally, Zaiden snapped. He hooked onto Seth’s collar and slammed him against the wall. The impact echoed through the cave, rattling in Emryn’s ears. A few of the Mallax soldiers shifted at the bluntness, worried for their reckless leader. “We’re all trapped down here because of you. You don’t get to act all smug when you cut off the only way back to the surface.”

Seth smirked as he peered down at him. “What makes you think it’s the only way?”

Zaiden’s whole demeanor changed. His eyes darkened, an unfamiliar shade like that of his father’s. The blood stain from his shoulder wound was getting bigger the longer he held Seth against the rocks. “Talk, O’Connor, before I remove your tongue and you're unable to.”

Seth laughed, low and strained. “I thought you needed me alive? Isn’t that what all this is about?”

“Alive doesn't mean you can’t be in pieces.”

“There’s no need to get so rough,” Seth replied mockingly. His eyes glanced over Zaiden’s shoulder. “Tell me Sunshine, is he this rough with you?”

It didn’t take much effort to catch what he was insinuating. Emryn’s eyes widened. Seth could still read her like an open book. He knew about whatever was going on between Zaiden and her, how much he meant to her.

Zaiden’s forearm caught Seth’s throat, cutting off his airways. “Don’t so much as look at her, understand me?” Seth’s grin finally disappeared. He struggled to breath but made no move to break Zaiden’s hold. “You are my prisoner. I’m taking you back to Abrax and I’m shoving you into a cell. If you think that you can pull out another one of your tricks again, I’ll kill one of your friends here. If you want them all to walk out alive, you’ll cooperate and tell us how to get out of here.”

Seth’s blue eyes leaked red, completely bloodshot. He couldn’t breath, couldn’t answer. Emryn watched the scene with a rising pulse. But she didn’t know who she was more worried about.

“Zaiden, we need him alive.” Malcolm calmly touched Zaiden’s shoulder, easing him to release his hold. The two exchanged a glance and Zaiden finally let go of Seth’s throat. Airways now clear, Seth gasped for oxygen, breathing in heavy breaths one after the other.

Seth rubbed the red around his throat, coughing every once in a while. “Sometimes I forget you want me dead, Amin,” he laughed. “I feel like I should be a little more worried about that right now, but I can’t bring myself to be.”

Simone stepped forward, dragging Kiarra, whom she’d been restraining, with her. “How do we get out of here, O’Connor?”

“Are you guys always this straightforward?” Seth asked in return.

“Do you always answer every question with a question?” Simone rebutted.

“Why don’t you have Sunshine over there make you a new path? Or do her talents end at killing?” Seth’s eyes turned on Emryn, cold and unnerving.

“Answer the question, O’Connor,” Malcolm said from his place near Emryn, his blunt and cool nature returning. For once, Emryn was relieved to see it.

Seth grinned, eyes scanning the crowd. “Tell you what,” he said. “I’ll tell you guys how to get out, if your overly aggressive leader gets off of me.”

All eyes landed on Zaiden, who scowled at the Mallax leader. He was struggling to win the internal battle but eventually stood back, leaving a few feet between him and Seth.

Seth seemed to relax while Zaiden grew more tense. Emryn found herself to be a mix of both. No one had to die, she reminded herself. They weren’t going to kill each other.

At least, she hoped they wouldn’t.

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“Talk,” Zaiden commanded, still glaring at Seth.

“You don’t need to be so rude,” Seth smirked.

Simone pointed her gun at him. “Talk or I'll shoot your leg.”

“Don’t tease me,” he mocked, lips turning up into a sly smile. Like everything was a joke to him.

“Seth,” Emryn finally spoke, quiet and under her breath. “Tell us how to get out,” she said, louder so the others could hear as well.

Seth rolled his shoulders back, and at last, his smirk was gone. “Here’s how this is gonna go,” he started, icy eyes watching Zaiden closely. “I’m the only one who knows another path out. And I’m also apparently some prized possession to you people.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Alex mumbled.

Seth shrugged. “Either way we both have something that we want.”

“And what is it that you want?” Simone asked.

Seth grinned. “Isn’t it obvious?” Emryn swore his gaze rested on her, however briefly, but they eventually settled on his restrained soldiers. “I care a great deal for my men and I’m getting tired of you guys shoving guns and blades at them. So put those lofty things away, untie them, and we can all peacefully leave together.”

Zaiden clenched his jaw, a vein on his neck popping from the force. “You really think we’re going to let you go? Just like that?”

“I’m not so naive. I know you want more than just freedom.” Seth stepped closer until he and Zaiden stood eye to eye, a thread of space between them. “You want me.” And just like that his stupid smirk was back on his face.

Zaiden stepped back, scowling at Seth. “Excuse me?”

Seth laughed. It was a deep genuine laugh Emryn hadn’t heard in a long time. What right did he have to laugh like that? Like how he used to when he was with her in the labs.

“Not like that,” he said, still chuckling. “I didn’t know you could actually be funny, Amin. No wonder Emryn likes you.” He took a calming breath. “No, what I meant is that, for whatever reason, your people have been hunting me. Trying to catch me.” Seth dramatically threw his arms out wide. “Well now's your chance!”

“You’re turning yourself in?” Malcolm asked, puzzled and weary.

“Boss,” one of the Mallax soldiers whispered. Emryn saw a glassed over expression on the man’s face. He was worried. If Seth was planning something, they weren’t in on it.

“Right you are, Blondie.” Seth turned to Zaiden, suddenly serious. “I’ll lead you guys out and then go with you willingly if, and only if, you swear on your life that no harm will come to my soldiers. Then we can all walk out of here alive and you finally get what your father’s been wanting for years.”

Zaiden glanced over his shoulder, looking to Simone and Malcolm, his second and third, silently asking for their approval. Malcolm nodded while Simone remained quiet, likely thinking it over.

Zaiden was struggling to come to a decision. No one would miss the way he was tensely staring at the ground, fists shut tight.

“Tik tok, Amin. I don’t have all day.”

Zaiden glared but said nothing. Emryn couldn’t stop the pit in her stomach from forming. Seth was offering them a deal that put his life in jeopardy. He’d be brought back to Abrax with them. Emryn scrunched her brows. Seth would be in Abrax. With her. She could protect him if it really came down to it. Maybe this was the solution she had been waiting for. A way to protect both her past and present. Zaiden would get his father’s approval from capturing Seth and she could make sure Seth’s dumb choice wouldn’t kill him.

“Deal,” she said, turning all eyes on her.

Zaiden was shocked or maybe confused as he whipped around to face her. Eyes wide and mouth slightly agape, a large contrast to Seth’s soulless blue eyes.

Some form of understanding passed through Emryn and Zaiden when their eyes met. He knew she thought this was the best choice. The only real choice.

“Fine. We have a deal, O’Connor.”

“Glad you were able to come to that decision,” Seth teased.

“Show us how to get out of this area first and then we’ll release your men,” Alex spoke, sounding surprisingly bold.

“Anything for you.” Seth grinned, an act that never seemed to fully reach his eyes.

The Abrax soldiers tightened their grip around their weapons. Emryn simply watched Seth as he walked up to one of the jagged stone walls, one full of cracks.

“Ever wonder how I always escape your chains, Amin?” Seth titled his head, a smirk playing on his lips. Zaiden didn’t give him the gift of a response but Seth continued anyway. “It’s by always creating more than one way out of every situation. Placing pieces ahead a time.” His eyes gleamed. Then Seth kicked the cracking wall. The loud bang echoing through the cave, like sirens in their ears. The stone wall collapsed. Thin, almost paper-like rocks falling one after the other. “I always think ahead,” Seth said as the dust settled around him. “One thing I think you would be wise to remember,” he added, voice low as he glanced at Emryn.

Everyone looked on towards the large hole Seth created with his oddly powerful blow. While Seth, filled with obvious pride, plucked a lantern from the ground and shoved it into the gap. The light illuminated another tunnel previously made by the wolf-spiders. The other way out.

“After you, Amin.”