ALINA
Isat up on my bed, trying not to make a sound. In the dark, I could see the outlines of Frid’s back. The handcuffs I snatched from the city enforcer were carefully wrapped in a towel. I contemplated locking Frid to the metal frame of the bed, but her steady breathing told me that it was safe to proceed. I put on my flying suit and tied my boots, taking as long as I needed to stay quiet. When that was done, I placed the handcuffs in one of the hidden pockets of my jacket and inched closer to the door, pausing every time the floorboard creaked under the soles of my boots. While I was unlocking the door, Frid moved in her bed and I froze, rooted to my spot.
There could be no second thoughts. I had to get out ofhere. I had imagined and planned my escape so many times that I simply could not delay a moment more.
Quietly, I stepped out into the shadowy corridor, trying hard to suppress the wild beating of my heart. I was not safe yet. Forcing myself to go slow, I traveled through the hall and down the set of stairs. I could not avoid the squeaks of the old staircase, but I was far enough from the rooms and not too worried about being spotted by someone else at this hour.
Feeling nothing short of triumph, I grinned, imagining Tynan’s distraught face when he realized that I was gone. But then I thought about Frid, and my face fell. I felt bad about deceiving her, but I had no other choice. I had to get away.
Stepping lightly, I opened the front door and when my feet touched the polished rocks of the pavement, the pressure left my chest. I was finally able to take a deep breath, and filled my lungs with the cold, misty air. I could almost feel it. My freedom was so incredibly close.
The man I had danced with told me that he traveled through the east all the time. He said that he had seen The Fall but was never curious enough to approach it. And my plan formed long before the poor guy stopped talking.
I would fly over the sacred dragon lands then figure out how to cross the border when I got there. I did not have any food or water with me, and trying to get some would be too suspicious with Frid constantly being with me. And Tynan was also watching me like a hawk every moment of the day.That was not the only weak point of my plan, there were also crawlers. But, I had no other options. It was too late to turn back.
With those thoughts, I walked through empty streets, enjoying the silver glow of the moon that dusted the shingles on the cramped roofs.
I passed another set of houses and my steps brought me to a narrow road. I wanted to get closer to the bridge and from there I could shift. I just hoped that the spear launchers would not be able to see me at this time of night.
“Where do you think you’re going?” the calm voice sounded from somewhere behind me. My heart nearly stopped. Panic exploded in my chest when I turned and found Tynan standing in the archway. His arms were crossed on his chest, he seemed relaxed. His tone spoke of nothing but a slight amusement.
I turned back around and darted in the opposite direction. I needed to transform, I would have a better chance to escape if I was up in the sky, but I could not shift so fast. I needed more time. My heart was leaping in my chest, my feet were sliding on the wet rocks, and I could hear Tynan right behind me.
Gods!
I just needed a moment of peace, only a moment to turn to my dragon. I made another turn, but before I could so much as take another ragged breath, Tynan’s arm reached my shoulder, and I spun around, my back hitting the wooden door. Before I could react, the door behind me gave way andI fell backward into the building with Tynan landing on top of me. The smell of hay and barn animals invaded my nostrils in an instance. With all my strength, I lifted my knee and kicked him in the groin. With a muffled groan, he fell to the side and I scrambled onto my feet. But the next moment, his hand caught my boot and I fell forward into the stack of hay.
“Let me go!”
I tried hard to boot him in the face, but he grabbed my other foot, and the next moment he was on top of me.
“Stop,” he said quietly as I tried to wiggle out.
“Let me go!” I screamed.
“I can’t!”
“For you, it’s just a mission. I’m a real person! I just want to go home.” I hated that my words sounded like a plea.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re not sorry!” I tried to push him away.
I kept fighting him. I did not care that I was losing, that he was stronger than me. Tynan was the only obstacle in my way of getting home, without him I could be free. I was so close, so close.
“You’ll hurt yourself. Stop!” He caught my arms and pinned them above my head.
“What do you want from me?” I shouted, trying to kick him again.
“Nothing. It’s just like you said, you’re just a mission. I need to get you to your next prison cell and be done with you,” he growled, clenching his jaw.
“Let me go. Please... please,” I begged him.
I was begging, begginghim, and I hated every second of it. Then another powerful feeling poured out of me, like thick black resin, coating all other emotions.
“I hate you, I hate you!”
“I know,” he said, standing up and offering me his hand.
