Emily Banner woke up to find herself on the cold, hard floor. The first thought that registered was how dark it was. The second was that it was oddly cool. She must be underground. No one had air conditioning around here. As her eyes adjusted, she saw that the room she was being imprisoned in was completely and totally empty.

BAM! A door slammed open, pouring light into the dark room. Emily shielded her eyes, and squinted against the piercing light. Her arm was suddenly seized roughly by a huge figure and yanked to her feet. Exhausted, she complied. Even now, she struggled to remember how she arrived in this mysterious place. That's right! She had called Tony Stark with hopes of reaching Bruce, when she was snatched from behind by a cartel member. He had thrown her onto the ground and she hit her head. That's all she could remember.

The man who had her now dragged her down a long hall into another room. This one had a metal table and two chairs, one on either side. There was also a single naked lightbulb in the center of the ceiling that cast off a pale yellow glow. In one of the chairs sat a man she recognized all too well. His name was Julio Gonzales, leader of the cartel, and he was ruthless.

"Well, if it isn't little NightSong. That is what those peasants call you, is it not? Yes, I have heard the stories of your great "powers", how you know what others think. Of your healing touch. I do not believe it. After all, if you were so great, you would have escaped by now, no? Sit." he gestured to the chair. Emily's captor tossed her into the seat none too gently. "So, you tried to contact the outside world for help. Silly niña. There is no one who can help you. Especially now. I should have you killed right here. However," He stood up and began to walk around, taking care to stay on the opposite side of the table "However, you may prove useful. Those simpletons worship you. You command, they obey. Now," he leaned across the table towards her, hands spread out."I suppose we could manage a little business arrangement."

"I'm listening." she acknowledged. Emily would do anything to protect these people who had accepted her and whom she had adopted as her own. She must keep him interested! "What kind of, er, arrangement would this be?"

"As I said, those common villagers are estúpido. You, however. You are different. You are the only one who even thought to defy me. I like that." Gonzales grinned, revealing his tobacco stained teeth. "I like a little bit of fire. So perhaps we can work something out. You may continue to lead your people. In fact, I demand you continue your duties. However, you will tell them that you have seen the light and and that it truly be in the best interest of all parties involved if they worked in my fields. If they fed and clothed my men. Gave us their women for our desire and their men for our work. It could prove mutually beneficial."

"What's in it for me?" C'mon, Em! Keep him talking. there must be a way out of this mess! You owe it to these people.

"You retain your dignity, position, and most important, your life. You're getting off very well compared to others I have dealt with." His gaze held such intensity it took everything the young woman had not to squirm. "Do we have a bargain?"

Emily could take it no more. She leaned in close. "There's something you should know first, Señor Gonzales. About the villagers." she whispered, even batted her eyelashes for full effect. He licked his lips and found himself leaning in as well. In a flash, Emily had him by the collar. He gaped in horror at her flashing green eyes as she growled out, "I will never lead them to serve filth like you" and pushed him back in his seat.

Within moments, Julio's henchman had her in a chokehold. Gonzales composed himself and straightened his collar. Finally, when he deemed worthy, he favored her with his cold glare. "You will pay for that, gringo whelp. Juan! Escort this woman back to her cell. I do not want her damaged in any way. Not yet."

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