Chapter Forty-Three

"Here, your first taste of reward."

Harrison held his hand out, staring as a shimmering coin was dropped into it. The engraving sang of age, even if the surface was pristine.

He turned it over slowly, feeling his henchmen lean over to get a better look.

The warehouse echoed with back word, enhancing the aura of power, and one almost feared the heavy iron girders that supported the ramshackle roof would give if disturbed even more.

In the corner Aiden sat, watching silently and shrinkingly. His only move was to stoke a small, controlled fire he had kindled to give some light to the dark and some consolation to his own soul. It offered little warmth but much smoke that he watched curl up and twist out the gaps above.

His leg still smarted if he moved too much and he couldn't help but wonder why he was even being kept alive, except to suffer.