The heavy iron door slammed shut behind him with a clang, and Finn froze where he stood.
At that moment, he knew it was over.
He wanted to run, to throw caution to the wind and charge toward the entrance he remembered coming through, but his legs felt weighed down with lead and refused to obey. An invisible pressure pinned him firmly in place.
Two of Brother Blood's attendants slipped out like ghosts, seized Finn by the arms on either side, and dragged him effortlessly out of the corner to the center of the room with astonishing strength.
Brother Blood had pulled his hood back on. Shadows shrouded his face once more, leaving only his pale, bloodless chin and thin lips exposed. He stood silently, his gaze resting on Finn's fear-twisted face.
"A little rat... carrying someone else's scent." Brother Blood leaned forward slightly, studying Finn at close range with his pitch-black eyes. "Your blood reeks of corruption and betrayal."
An attendant shoved down hard on his shoulder, forcing Finn to his knees. The agony of his kneecaps striking the floor made his vision go black.
"Ah... m-my lord... spare me..." He begged almost instinctively, his voice shaking uncontrollably. "I... I was just passing through... I don't know anything..."
"A lost lamb..."
Brother Blood's voice remained low and resonant, but carried a faint trace of mockery. "Your soul gives off the stench of lies and greed. Tell me, who sent you? The police? Or some other insects in this city who overestimate themselves?"
"My lord... no one... no one sent me..."
Finn felt as though an icy hand had clenched around his heart. He couldn't name Cobblepot. Even if he somehow survived today, he would be thrown off the docks to feed the fish tomorrow. His instinct to survive and