Splintered

Chapter Thirty-Three: A Lion in the Devil's Den

"Nothing." Hazel's voice came out thin, almost flimsy. Though Snow caught it before the winter air swallowed it whole.

"Doesn't seem like nothing." A blond eyebrow rose. He pulled their connected hands closer, tapping his thumb over her pulse point. "What have you been up to?"

"Antiquing."

With his other hand, he undressed the fabric wrapping around the tape player.  "Interesting."

"Is that a crime?" Hazel tugged on her arm. But it was too little, too late. The contraption's true form took shape as he worked at the cloth covering.

"Depends." Snow pulled the machine fully away from her. Keeping the bundle close to his chest and still hidden by its wrapping, he turned it over, inspecting the contents. Once satisfied with his perusal, he cocooned it again.

"Pytash, escort Miss Marlowe to her room."

"Yes, sir." Sable marched forward, gesturing for Hazel to follow.

"You promised." Hazel's eyes shot up to his, but he didn't answer her hushed accusation.

"Ensure she actually stays there this time." Snow's eyes skimmed hers as he backed away.

"Yes, sir," Sable answered.

"I'm going to do a little research on...antiquing." A faint smile tugged on his lips, likely for the benefit of their peacekeeper audience.

She didn't move as Sable sighed, finally gripping her arm when she didn't yield.

The peacekeeper implored her to listen as he gently guided her away. She followed suit with a begrudging shift of her feet. Not that she had much of a choice.

All that work to get this far just to have him strip her of her prize in a matter of seconds.

Could nothing ever just be easy or simple?

Bellona and Leo moved to join her and Sable, but Snow held up a gloved palm. "Wait. I need to speak with you, Private Drayton."

Bellona halted, but her eyes sunk in respect, "Sir."

"Coriolanus," Hazel strained against Sable, but she was no match for the boulder of a man. When he didn't budge and instead drew them both closer to the train station doors, she called to Snow. "She did nothing wrong. I all but forced her out here."

Snow sighed, tucking the player away in his pocket. "Let me clarify." He turned his attention to Leo, "I need to speak with you, Private Drayton."

Hazel pulled again, attempting to unearth her arm, but Sable held fast, whispering, "Don't make it worse. For once in your life, listen."

Leo shot her a glance, his eyes sliding over her futile attempts to escape Sable. "It's all right, Marlowe."

Nothing was all right.

"Get some rest, Miss Marlowe." Snow crossed his arms. "I believe you are going to need it."

Hazel squeezed her freshly bandaged palm but let the rest of her muscles laxen. Finally conceding, she let Sable drag her away through the train station doors. The nameless horde of Peacekeepers trailed them.

But on the other hand, Bellona hadn't moved. Instead, she was rooted in place. An apprehension-dipped stare on her brother.

"You are dismissed, Miss Drayton." Snow insisted. "For the moment at least."

The words seemed to send a jolt through the Peacekeeper. She immediately turned her body with an unsteadiness that betrayed her fear and marched away, disappearing through the doors with the rest.