Lock Down (Supernatural Prison Trilogy Book 1)

by Aella Black

  But I couldn’t help feeling a small bit of relief that he was here with me. And confusion.

  Since when did Oscar escort prisoners to the infirmary? Dr. Venn had called him my “savior.” What was that all about? Last I checked, saviors rescued people before they were harmed. Not after.

  Dr. Venn took my vitals and then, thankfully, sent me on my way.

  As soon as we were in the stairwell, Oscar launched into an apology. “I shouldn’t have left my post in the library,” he said gruffly. “Should have made sure someone was keeping an eye on Wolf. I still can’t believe…” He shook his head, then looked sideways at me. “Are you okay?”

  I tried to swallow, but it felt like a knife being pushed through a blocked drain. Lifting a hesitant hand, I felt around the base of my neck, tenderly poking and prodding. Yup. This was going to be a killer bruise.

  I’d have laughed if it wouldn’t cause unimaginable pain. I wasn’t even sure I could speak.

  Oscar must have taken my silence for anger. “I’m sorry, Phoenix. You have no idea how sorry I am.”

  I got the impression he wasn’t just talking about today.

  “Wh-where’s Wolf?” I rasped out.

  Relief flooded every feature on Oscar’s face. “In his cell.” He hesitated. “As far as I know, there won’t be any further punishment.”

  Like spending time in your cell was punishment.

  I gave Oscar a look that clearly stated, ‘What gives?’

  He winced. “Apparently, since he killed the one girl with the power to come back to life, the powers that be didn’t consider it a serious crime.”

  And because they didn’t consider us humans, none of this was considered a crime against humanity. Despite the dizziness, I had never seen things so clearly.

  There was also some favoritism at play here. One little boy tried to burn his way through a wall, and who knew what happened to him. Another killed a fellow prisoner and got away scot-free. There was nothing even remotely fair about that.

  Was it possible they were afraid of the big, bad Wolf too? That was an interesting thought.

  “When I spotted him coming out of the library, I just knew. It was the smug look on his face.” Oscar frowned. “I got you and brought you up here. But I’ll be honest, I thought you were a goner. Hard to believe ‘til I saw it with my own eyes.” He shook his head as if clearing it. Then he looked me in the eye and said, “I’m glad you made it, though. Wouldn’t be the same here without you.”

  Wolf was a monster. Oscar clearly was not. But didn’t he see that I didn’t want to be here? Surely he had to know. Still, he seemed genuinely sorry. That had to count for something.

  “Thanks,” I whispered, my voice hoarse.

  He dipped his head in acknowledgment, and then he led the way to my cell. By the time we got there, rec time was almost over. I was grateful for a few minutes to myself.

  Oscar let me in and locked the door behind me. “For your safety,” he said and walked away. As if anywhere in this building was safe for anyone like me.

  Still feeling sick to my stomach, I made a beeline for the bathroom. When I switched on the light, I almost screamed at what I saw.

  Big, purple and green, hand-shaped bruises colored my throat. My entire throat. There wasn’t enough concealer in the world that would hide those marks. Not that I had any, I thought bitterly.

  I turned quickly away from the mirror, took care of business, and then collapsed onto my bed. Though I was mentally and physically exhausted, my mind drifted to Xander, wondered if he had heard what happened.

  Would he take a stand against Wolf now? Because, though parts of today were a blur—and others missing entirely—I distinctly recalled what happened before Wolf squeezed the life out of me.

  Or rather, what didn’t happen.

  Wolf had asked Xander to join his pack, and Xander didn’t turn him down. Well, to be fair, he didn’t agree to it either. The guards had inserted themselves in the situation before he could answer.

  I hoped I hadn’t misplaced all of my hopes where Xander was concerned. I wasn’t sure how much more disappointment I could take.

  Then, because I might have been a prisoner but I was still a teenage girl, I worried what Xander would think of me. Would he be mad I didn’t stand up for him earlier? I wouldn’t blame him. I did just watch while the guards hauled him away in front of everyone.

  And would he think I was weak for not standing up for myself against Wolf? No one would know I’d tried to fight back, even if my attempt was a complete joke.

  Plus, I was weak. The monstrous marks reflected in the mirror weren’t the only thing that had caused me to recoil. I’d lost weight since arriving at Leavenworth, and I didn’t have any pounds to spare. My face was gaunt and the circles under my eyes more pronounced. I looked like the living dead.

  Which, basically, I was.

  No, if I’d ever had a chance with Xander—not saying that I did—I certainly didn’t now. And what was I expecting? Did I think that now the dynamics were different he would suddenly develop feelings for me? That I would have a relationship with him in jail?

  These thoughts were ridiculous. I shouldn’t care what Xander thought of me.

  Fortunately, Rocky’s arrival put a stop to them. Her bed squeaked as she sat on it. “You alive?” she asked.

  “Mmhm.”

  “Oh. Good.”

  Did Rocky sound… awkward? I turned my head so I was facing her. “This superpower sucks,” I rasped.

  And there it was.

  For the first time since we’d met, Rocky smiled. It completely transformed her face. “Wolf can go jump in a river and drown in it,” she said. “And at least he has no chance of coming back.”

  I smiled too. “Face it, he’s been wanting to strangle me for a while now,” I said, wincing. Every word I pushed out caused pain, but I wanted to keep talking since it seemed Rocky and I were finally bonding.

  Rocky grimaced, and then she shook her head. “You have to fight back, Phoenix.”

  Wow, she even used my nickname. We were totally bonding.

  “Yeah, right.” I sat up gingerly and leaned against the wall so I’d be facing her.

  “I mean it.” She assumed the same position I was in. “Remember when you stupidly stepped in when Wolf was picking on me?”

  I nodded, trying to limit my words. And because she kind of just insulted me for trying to help her. I decided to give her grace. Rocky wasn’t exactly an expert in the area of social interaction.

  “Well, I told you I could handle myself, and I could. I wanted to be a professional wrestler. You know, before. I’m good at it.”

  I straightened, intrigued by this new information. It made sense. The way she was built, even the way she moved. I could totally see Rocky as a wrestler. “So, you’re saying I stole your thunder,” I guessed.

  She smiled again. It made her eyes crinkle. “Big time. I’d been waiting months to pin Wolf and put him in his place. And in front of everyone? That would have been prime time viewing right there.”

  “Oh. Sorry.” I truly was, too. I’d have paid good money to see that takedown.

  Rocky shrugged. “Point is, I know how to fight. And you need to learn.”

  I tilted my head. “You’re going to teach me?”

  She nodded, once. “A thing or two, at least.”

  I didn’t know what to say. Rocky and I had never really gotten along, and this was easily the nicest thing she’d said to me. “Thank you. I’d like to learn some self-defense.”

  “Not just self-defense,” Rocky said, clearly annoyed. “Offense. You need to fight back.”

  I blanched. Rocky might have the muscles to pull that off, but no way I could take on Wolf and expect to walk away without a broken neck. And who knew if I could come back from that?

  Gesturing at my thin, frail body, I said, “You may need to get your eyes checked.”

  She chuckled darkly. “My eyes work just fine.” Then, after a moment, she
added, “You have more strength than you know. And you’re more than just Phoenix.”

  Okay, that was the nicest thing she’d ever said to me. It was so nice I wanted to cry. Instinctively, I knew tears would disgust Rocky, and I didn’t want to risk her changing her mind. Because if—no, when—we busted out of here, it would be helpful to have some skills up my sleeve.

  Not dying didn’t count.

  To keep from getting overly emotional, I reached below my bed and picked up the first book my hand touched. Opening it to a random page, my eyes caught on a line that caused a shudder to ripple through my entire body.

  “Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.”

  A sign that the general approved of our plan. It was time to prepare for war.

  20

  Dinnertime came, and I followed Rocky out of the cell once it was unlocked. As we walked to the cafeteria among the throng of inmates, I noticed there were a lot of stares in my direction. Self-conscious of the bruises braiding my neck, I tugged the collar of my jumpsuit higher. It didn’t help.

  “You didn’t ever did say how you know Pretty Boy,” Rocky said. I wondered if she was trying to distract me from the unwanted attention. If so, I could really get used to this new and improved Rocky.

  I shrugged. “We went to school together, but that was basically it.”

  She gave me a look like she didn’t believe me, but, sadly, that was the truth.

  Woody, Tex, and Cal were already sitting at our usual table. Xander was there, too. Good. At least he sat with us and not—

  “Where is he?” Xander jumped to his feet.

  Bad news traveled fast, apparently.

  His eyes flicked up and down, from my face to my neck and back up again. Then he let out a growl that would have put Wolf to shame.

  “Xander, I’m fine.” My eyes lowered in embarrassment. I knew he would think I was weak. “Please, sit down.”

  He did, albeit slowly, and his gaze scanned the cafeteria the entire time. Thankfully, it didn’t appear Wolf had arrived for dinner yet.

  Birdie ran up to me and threw her arms around my shoulders. “Phoenix! Are you okay? I heard that Wolf—” She pulled away from me and gasped.

  I put a hand to my throat in a vain attempt to cover the ugly bruises. “Yeah, I’m okay,” I told her, my voice still somewhat raspy.

  Tex huffed, his face dark. I’d never seen him so angry. “Wolf should be taken to Lansing after what he did,” he said. “That’s the prison for dangerous supernaturals, right?”

  Xander nodded. I could have misread things, but he almost looked as if he were too angry to speak. Probably wishful thinking on my part, though.

  Woody looked equally pissed. “We’ve always known he was dangerous. He just proved it today.”

  “Dude, I’m so sorry for what happened,” Cal said, running an agitated hand through his hair. “One of us should have been there.”

  I quickly shook my head. “He could have hurt you, too.”

  “I’d like to see him try,” Xander snarled.

  Panic flooded my senses. “Guys, come on. What happened sucked, but I don’t want you confronting Wolf. I’d never forgive myself if one of you got hurt.” Or worse. Hot Rod’s disappearance was never far from my mind.

  “But he needs to know we won’t stand for it,” Xander said. “We need to show him what he did was wrong.”

  “He knows that,” I said with a sigh. “And trust me, he doesn’t care.”

  The table settled into an uncomfortable silence. Rocky’s voice was a welcome interruption. “Well, I’m getting some grub. Coming, Phoenix?”

  My stomach rumbled. If only it didn’t hurt to swallow. I started to decline but remembered Rocky’s plan to train me. I’d have to start consuming more if I were going to have the energy to fight.

  We walked to the cafeteria line, Cathy joining us along the way. Fortunately, she wasn’t in a chatty mood, so we stood waiting for our meals in silence.

  Word of my death at Wolf’s hands had spread quickly if the many stares and whispers were any indication. I spotted his pack sitting at their table, firing death glares in my direction. Like I had attacked him.

  But still no Wolf.

  Maybe Oscar was wrong. Maybe killing a fellow inmate finally crossed a line. I highly doubted anyone else had committed murder here. If they had, the SCC surely would have made an example out of them.

  Maybe he’d disappear like Hot Rod. Or maybe they’d sent him to Lansing.

  My gaze snagged on Xander, whose eyes, to my surprise, were locked on me. I quickly looked away.

  We’d had more classes together than I could count on both hands, yet he hardly noticed I existed. And now suddenly I had his undivided attention? Weird.

  I picked up a tray and loaded it up with mashed potatoes and green beans. Then, I grabbed a juice box and headed back to the table.

  Everyone was silent as we ate, but I could see that Xander wanted to talk. I didn’t blame him. It was hard to believe, but this was still only his first day. He must be as confused and frightened as I was when I got here.

  I was sipping my juice when he finally spoke. “What do you guys think of Warden Will?” Xander asked. “Trust him? No?”

  Tex shrugged. “He’s a decent guy. Not a bully like some of the guards here.”

  Cal fake coughed. “Luther.”

  “I don’t trust anyone in a suit,” Rocky muttered.

  “Amen to that,” Woody added.

  “He’s nice to me,” Birdie said. “Said he has a daughter my age.”

  It was hard to imagine the warden’s life outside Leavenworth’s walls. Somehow, I doubted he forced his daughter to kill innocent creatures.

  Xander looked to me. “Phoebe?”

  I took a bite of mashed potatoes. “He’s not the worst person here, but I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. Which, you know…”

  Everyone laughed, even Rocky.

  “The best guard here is Oscar,” Cathy gushed. “Xander, you have to meet him!”

  Xander cocked a brow. “Oscar?”

  Woody rolled his eyes. “All the girls are obsessed with him.”

  “Not all the girls,” Cathy said. “Phoebe and Rocky aren’t, right?” Still wary of Rocky, she looked at me.

  My answer to that question was complicated. “Oscar’s a guard. That pretty much sums things up,” I hedged. Cathy’s face instantly fell, so I added, “He is nice, though. Just not my type.”

  I avoided Xander’s eyes as I said it and found myself instead meeting Woody’s gaze. He held the contact for a moment before looking away, his cheeks blotched red.

  My own face heated. I really hoped I hadn’t just sent the wrong message to him.

  “Not mine, either,” Rocky said.

  I turned to Xander. He was staring at me with an unidentifiable expression on his face. “You should meet him,” I said quickly, trying to recover from the weird moment I’d shared with Woody. “Then you can judge for yourself.”

  Xander nodded. His blue eyes lowered once again to my neck, and I watched as his expression became easy to identify.

  Fury. Red hot and burning. The kind that swore vengeance upon the unlucky recipient of his rage.

  My stomach tightened when I realized Xander’s words could very well turn into action. I didn’t know him well. Maybe he’d developed a short fuse over the years. And with super strength? If he attacked Wolf, he had the capability of killing him. Then Xander would be the one to disappear like Hot Rod or get sent to the other prison.

  Without thinking, I reached over and squeezed his hand. I wasn’t sure if it was to keep him from doing something stupid, or if I needed the comfort of knowing he wasn’t going anywhere. Either way, a loud cough from across the table alerted me to the inappropriate nature of the gesture.

  For the second time in minutes, my face burned bright. I moved to pull my hand away, but before I could, Xander shocked me by flippin
g his hand over. He squeezed mine once before letting go.

  It’s okay, he seemed to be saying. The knot in my stomach loosened just a little.

  But I was still too embarrassed to look at anyone.

  “So, Xander,” Tex drawled, “we’ve been talking about a nickname for you.” Then he stuffed an overcooked broccoli spear in his mouth.

  I silently thanked him. Leave it to Tex to bail me out of a painfully awkward situation.

  “Oh yeah?” Xander asked.

  “Yeah, how about Incredible Hulk?” Cal said, flexing his biceps.

  “No, I like Muscles!” Birdie cried.

  “You and me both, kid,” Rocky muttered, and we all laughed.

  Turned out, Rocky’s sarcasm was pretty hilarious when her comments weren’t designed to inflict harm.

  “I thought we were going for Melonhead,” Woody mumbled under his breath. Tex shot him a sharp look.

  Xander visibly cringed. “Not a big fan of any of those.”

  “We’ll keep thinking on it,” Tex assured him. “But hey, you’re from Kansas City, right?”

  “Yup,” Xander said, glancing at me.

  “And you play football. What about Chief?”

  Birdie bobbed her head in agreement, and everyone else seemed to be on board as well.

  “I’ll take it.” Xander shrugged. “Am I officially part of the gang now?”

  “Absolutely!” Cathy said, welcoming him in a way only she could do.

  Cal clapped him on the back. “You’re in like Flynn, bro.”

  Tex coughed, covering a laugh. “Uh, I don’t think that means what you think it does.”

  Woody frowned. He was especially grumpy today.

  Xander smiled, but it wasn’t the winsome, charming one I’d seen him grace our high school campus with on more than one occasion. He was still trapped here like the rest of us. For a guy like Xander, who’d had the perfect life, I could imagine this transition was especially difficult. My heart twisted.

  After I’d eaten all my sore throat could handle, I picked up my tray and stood. “I’m beat, guys. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I’d just dumped the contents of my tray in the trash when Xander joined me. He didn’t waste a second. “Phoebe, we don’t belong here. This place has to be breaking so many laws. We’ve got to get out and tell someone.”