The water in the basin turned red, the blood staining my body from the fight in the compound in the Abode Mountains finally coming clean. The reminder of what we had suffered flaking off into the tub.
Had it only been a few days since I left them? Since I sacrificed myself to save them?
The look on Luka’s face flashed before my eyes. Irecoiled, shuddering and closing my eyes in an attempt to banish the memory.
I had never seen such pain in his eyes. Etched onto his face.
PainIhad caused him.
If I made it back to him—I feared he’d never forgive me for hurting him. Ichoseto leave him. Exactly like his mother had.
But unlike her, I’d make it back to him. I’d right my wrongs.
I stepped from the tub, quickly wrapping myself in one of the towels left in a stack in the small bathing chamber. It was nothing special, but it was better than nothing, I supposed. Like my cell, it was made of all concrete, allowing the cold from the raging winter outside to seep into every crack and crevice.
I quickly dressed in the red leathers the guard had provided, such a ridiculous color for fighting leathers. I’d either fit right in with the Panateia or stick out like a beacon.
Fucking perfect.
A brush had been left on the small vanity in the bathing chamber; I used it to work through the knots in my hair before braiding the sopping strands. Not having my magic was fucking inconvenient.
I looked at my reflection once more in the clouded glass above the vanity.
A captive. That’s what I was, a captive.
The High Queen of Lethenia was being held as a captive.
How had I let this happen? My people needed me—now more than ever—and here I was, locked up at the disposal of the people I was trying to protect Lethenia from.
And I had no one to blame but myself.
I jumped at the sharp knock on the door. “Let’s go!” the guard barked as the door creaked open.
I followed the male down the hallway, tracking every turn we took. It would take time, but I’d memorize every inch of this compound. The magic-enhanced shackles were back around my wrists. I didn’t understand why the cuffs were back on now; my magic was kept at bay without them in my cell.
Their weight was heavy on my wrists, a constant reminder of where I was.
What I was.
A prisoner.
I felt their presence with every step I took. Their rattling echoed with the pounding of my boots and the distant screams and growls of the Dhampirs.
I still couldn’t believe they were creating those abominations.
Those Goddess-forsaken beasts had once been fae. Had been my people—now turned into abominations.
We stopped at a room at the end of a long hallway, this one devoid of any cages lining it, the cries of the Dhampirs left behind.
The guard ushered me inside with a firm push between my shoulder blades.
Adreona was perched behind a worn wooden desk; papers and books spread in front of her.
A cruel smile grew on her pale face as her eyes landed on me.
“You made it.”
“I didn’t have much choice, did I?” I muttered.
