My chin drops in assent. Whatever Sifa needs. “Toffer got us here through a cave I didn’t know existed. I don’t think anyone does because it’s too small for dragons. It’s tight in a couple of places, but it can get us out too.”
“Let’s go.” Sifa’s all business now. It’s time to escape.
Toffer responds with the grin of a child whose mother has just given him permission to lead them through the forest. He starts to stalk deeper into the caves, following the innate sense all trolls have for caverns and passages through rock. I’d have gotten lost already if it weren’t for him.
This time, though, we can’t follow the same path. We’ve walked for less than five minutes when we hear the first group of soldiers looking for us. They’re angry, the Dróttning’s punishments harsh when she’s failed. Every one of them will suffer if they don’t capture us.
“They won’t be here,” a male voice proclaims, his voice angry. “Nobody even knows about this area.”
They’re so gods-damned close, a turn or two away from finding us. My gaze scatters, searching for someplace to hide or escape.
“We know,” a female responds, her tone dripping with disdain. “If we’re here, they could be too.”
“They’re probably already gone. We’re all fucked because Gunnar let that elf control him.”
“She’s stronger than she looks.” I think I hear a hint of respect in her words. “And they can’t have gotten out yet. There hasn’t been enough time.”
We’re going to need to kill them. They’ll pass by here, and this cave doesn’t have any place we can hide. But then Toffer’s massive hand is on my shoulder as he gestures toward a shadow in the corner. “Go,” he mouths.
Nodding, I follow his directions, careful that my steps don’t reveal our location. My gut is a rock, every sense alert to any shift in the space around us. I’m about to face two fucked-up choices.
If the guards realize we’re here, we’ll have seconds, if that, to take them down. Every guard here knows me. The Dróttning’s in the Nest and will catch any thought thrown her way. I don’t know if we can stop them before the message lashes out telling her what I’ve done.
I could use my magic to kill them before they see us, but I alone can wield the power I’d need and the Dróttning will recognize it when it echoes through the caves. My magic is like a horn to her. It always tells her exactly where she can find me.
Either way, we’re fucked. The Dróttning will learn I’m helping Sifa escape, and she’ll take Tindera from me. Maybe kill her. I don’t know if I’d survive that, even with Sifa by my side.
We huddle together—my savage taking my thoughts in the wrong fucking direction when Sifa’s thigh rubs against mine and my gods-damned cock twitches. Because I can’t control the bastard when I’m around her. The soldiers pass by slowly, still bickering about their decision to search this part of the caves. They’re nearly out of our sight when one of them stops, his head spinning in our direction.
“Did someone check that area?” A finger lifts to point directly at us.
And my pulse races. If they take a few steps toward us, I’ll have no choice.
I’m sweating, my skin tingling as my magic rises to the surface, ready to lash out.
“There’s nothing there,” another says, his glare roving the area around us.
“I saw something move,” the first one insists. “Go check it out.”
“You’re seeing ghosts. You go. I’m heading back to the base.”
Now my stomach is twisting, the power I’ve gathered demanding release. I won’t be able to hold it much longer.
“Alright,” the first one agrees after a moment as he watches the other guards walk away. “Like you said. There’s not shit in these caves.”
We stay there, hunched down and still, for a minute or more. I think we’re all afraid to move and risk drawing them back. Finally, though, Joralf stands. “They’re gone,” he says, reaching out a hand to pull up Toffer. “Let’s get out of here.”
We’re not so lucky the second time I sense others moving our direction. I’d recognize her presence anywhere. The being that’s governed and manipulated my life since it began. The Dróttning is striding toward us, her thoughts chaotic and furious. If she finds us, I won’t be able to defeat her. Even as strong as my magic is when I unleash it, it is no match for hers. Yet.
Toffer spins, touching a nearby wall as he inhales deeply. He points and trots down a new cavern, his feet surprisingly light for his bulk. The others follow and I take the rear, ready to do whatever I can to give them time to escape.
We turn a dozen times as we try to find a path away from the Dróttning, Toffer pausing occasionally to place a hand or two on the rock and breathe in whatever scent he’s following. Time slows to nearly a stand-still as we barely stay ahead of our pursuers. Every time I think we’ve found an escape route, they turn or backtrack, chasing us once again. My mind is screaming at me to get away, dragging up image after image of Sifa in her cell. Imagining my little rabbit on the rack. Feeling her pain as I did when she first arrived.
We won’t be able to lose the Dróttning. That reality settles within me, a truth I can’t avoid. I’m as familiar to her as she is to me. She’s following us as if she already knows every turn we’ll make. She must recognize my presence. It’s the only explanation. Which means they won’t get away if I stay with them.
My hand reaches out to take Sifa’s arm, pulling her toward me. The others notice and slow down, pausing a dozen feet away. Sifa looks up at me, her eyebrows rising in her silent question. My savage is roaring, loath to leave her, but I push him down. We need to separate if she’s going to get out.
“Go ahead without me,” I breathe as I lean into her. “I’ll divert the Dróttning and her guards. I’ll catch up.”
