Free Chance: An Action & Adventure Romance Novel (Sacrifice) by A.C. Heller Page B

by force. Pandora was such a good prisoner.  All it took was the slightest bit of pain and her abilities would flow from her in a beautiful cascading shroud of death and destruction. It was awe inspiring.
    Sending soldiers to find her would speed things up a bit. Of course many of my own could fall in the process, but no good war has ever been won without a few casualties.
    “ I'm aware. Inform the men that in two weeks time we will be launching an assault on The Order to win back our precious Pandora. They have until that time to find her exact location or you will all answer to me.” The man’s face paled before he nodded in acknowledgment and quickly exited my chamber. Shifting through the file I was handed I notice that my men have already gotten quite a few pieces of vital information. The men who stole Pandora from me were three men that I have been patiently waiting to kill for years.
    Aiden, Takeo and Angelo.
    Over the years, both individually and together, they have become a festering thorn in my side.  Now was the time to remove it.
    Sitting back in my chair, something in the back of the file catches my eye.  As I pull it out my jaw instantly clenches. Skimming over the paper in my hand I immediately remember why the name looks familiar. Ripley. Maddix Ripley was the only prisoner to ever single handedly escape my prison. Even the Golden Daughter would have fallen had it not been for The Order intervening. This Aiden Ripley was her brother. A small smile crosses my lips as an even better plan began forming in my mind. It was time to unleash Pandora.
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    Dora
     
    The man who escorted me to my new prison remained silent the entire way. It wasn't a very long walk, but nevertheless he didn't say a word. The one time I got the chance to look at him without him noticing I saw that his lips were not smiling, but his eyes were bright like perhaps he wanted too. This left a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Not because this man was cruel enough to be seemingly enjoying locking me away, but because deep down I felt like something was wrong. Very wrong.
    Looking around the cell I silently tell myself that if I'm ever given the opportunity I should thank Al. This is much nicer then the last one I was in. In fact, this is almost as nice as the room they had me in, except for the whole not being able to get out part. In the corner of the cell there is a desk.  On the desk there is a laptop and a cell phone. Picking up the electronics, I see there is a note under them.
    You have secured service on both devices. All the contact information you need is already set up. For what it is worth, I am sorry.
    Al
    PS – Keep my gift close to you at all times. You never know when an egg can come in handy.
    How odd . Glancing back over at my bed I see the shiny metallic egg/kitten Al had given me when I first met him. I haven't really had a lot of time to interact with the robotic animal, but I figure I have plenty of time now. Walking over to my bed I take a seat and place the egg in my palm.
    “ Wake up, please.” I don't know why I said please, but it felt right. The egg twists and spins until the robotic kitten stands in my palm with her strange lifeless eyes on mine.
    “ Momma?”
    “ Um... yes?” The tiny robot sits in my palm and tilts her head as if inspecting me. I don't really know what I'm supposed to say, so I just go for it.
    “ Kitten, do you have a name?”
    “ Our creator said we are to be called AER's.”
    Just as I am about to ask what that means the door to my cell opens and Liza walks in carrying a tray full of food. Moving the robot closer to my mouth, I whisper, “Sleep.”  Moments later the robot is once more an egg. Turning to Liza I smile softly up at her even though it isn't a real smile. She has always been nice to me and I have no reason to take my frustrations out on her. She didn't use me and then allow me to be locked up.
    “ Sweet Dora...” Liza looks