I don’t have time to think what the hell just happened when a puff of pink, red, and bright buttercup yellow charges up through the hallway from the other direction.
“It actually worked!” Blossom squeaks.
“Shush! They might hear us!” Dahlia scolds, but she’s grinning too. All three of them are – Blossom in her pink gown, Dahlia in crimson, and a blonde princess I haven’t met yet, wearing an intricate yellow gown dripping in gold embellishments.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss, very aware that now not only is Camellia in danger, but three more of Ruby’s sisters too.
“We thought you’d be more grateful.” Dahlia’s face sours. “We’re here to rescue you, duh…”
“Rescue me?” I want to laugh, but then I realise the guards are gone and all that stands between me and Ruby are these chains and that flimsy lock on the door. “You’ve got to help me out of here,” I rasp. “Find the keys!”
“We don’t need keys,” Dahlia cackles. “Becausewehave something better.”
“What are you talking about?” I could break down the door easily, but not while I’m stuck in these chains. Right now, keys are our only hope.Ruby’s only hope.
Dahlia shoves the blonde princess towards me, her gold dress shimmering in the candlelight. “We have Eden!” she announces proudly.
Eden just blinks, clearly as confused as the rest of us. “Um, Dahlia? I don’t?—”
“You brought your sewing kit, didn’t you?” Dahlia grins.
“Yes…”
“Perfect!” She pushes her sister closer to my cell door. “Then work your magic and pick those locks!”
I can’t help but groan.
“Dahlia, I’m not sure my sewing kit will help us here.”
“Sure it can!” she beams. “It’s inallthe books I read. The dashing hero picks the lock with a needle to save his beloved?—”
“You mean a hairpin.” I shake my head.
“Oh, was it that instead?” Dahlia’s grin drops.
Blossom steps forward, her arms folded over her chest. “If we want to save Ami, we need a key.” She glares at her sisters. “So start searching.”
“Alright, alright,” Dahlia huffs. “But first…” She plucks a hairpin from Blossom’s head, cackling as a sudden waterfall of curls attacks her sister’s face. “Found you a hairpin, Eden.” She tosses it at the blonde princess.
“I was using that pin!” Blossom scrubs the hair from her eyes to glare at Dahlia, but she’s already rustling through the guards’ things, laughing quietly to herself.
“I’m so sorry I can’t help you,” Eden says quietly to me. In her pale hands she clutches the hairpin.
Edging as close to the cell door as possible, I speak in a gentle tone, “It’s alright. We can try with the hairpin. I’ll guide you through it.”
Her blue eyes widen. “You know how to pick locks?”
“Of course he does,” Blossom hisses. “Remember what he is, Eden.”
“Right…” She swallows.
I glance at Blossom, but she won’t meet my gaze. Instead, she keeps her arms folded and watches a nearby candle cast shadows upon the walls.
Turning back to Eden, I guide her through picking the cell door’s lock. She struggles at first, but her fingers are nimble and she’s learning quickly. With her ear pressed to the lock, she listens for clicks when Blossom’s voice slices through the bars.
“We’re only letting you out so you can save Ami.”
Jaw tight, I nod at her. “I know.”
