Page 17 of When Roses Burn

“He’ll ensure I get in and out again,” I said.

“You can’t know that,” Dromon said.

“That’s Marina’s daughter in there. If anyone can get me out again, it’s her.”

“And if she refuses to do so?”

“She doesn’t have a choice.”

Just as I didn’t have a choice for the seven years I was trapped in that hell. My choices were stripped from me by Briar and her mother.

Ten years had passed since I last saw Briar on the day she turned me over to the monsters that were her kind. I’d spent those ten years growing to hate her more with every passing day, every new degradation, and with every time the beast rose to take my place in the harem.

The beast emerged to take on every assault lodged against me, but I was aware of what happened. I knew everything they did, and I’d make them pay for it…

Beginning with one who started it all… Briar.

There was a time when her name meant nothing but happiness. Now, it brought only rage and a burning thirst for revenge.

“We could wait for her to leave,” Pierce suggested. “They return to Nightshade alone. She’d be easy to capture then.”

We’d come to learn a lot more about the enemies who’d imprisoned us during our time in the harem. If we ever stood a chance of destroying the casters, we had to learn everything we could about them.

Pierce was right; I could wait. It was the smartest choice, but while I loathed everything about the woman I once claimed as my mate, I couldn’t stand to watch her exit the harem after having her way with every eternal in there.

Besides, we knew from experience that the dark and light sorcerers and sorceresses could be in there for at least a week. We couldn’t wait.

“That will take too long,” I murmured.

While the night casters wouldn’t return and the day casters weren’t supposed to come here either, it had happened before that two of them entered their Needing at the same time and ended up in the harem together. During the seven years I spent imprisoned in this building, it only happened once, but I wouldn’t take the chance of it happening again.

Not to mention, another eternal might wander by. Most avoided the caster lands so they wouldn’t end up in the harem, but sometimes, either due to necessity or speed, eternals cut through these kingdoms to get where they had to go.

While no other eternals would be a problem for us, I wasn’t looking for a fight. I had to get in and out of this place… and the only way to do that was to enter it now.

“I’ll be quick,” I told them.

“This is a bad idea,” Dromon said.

“If I don’t come back, get out of here. Don’t try to come for me; go back and protect Wildwood.” Or at least what remains of it.

“We can’t leave you here,” Lyra protested.

“You can and you will. “

I’d gotten them out of the harem before, and I understood why they were reluctant to leave me, but I wouldn’t get trapped inside there again.

“I’m coming with you,” Dromon said.

“So am I,” Lyra and Pierce said at the same time.

“No, I’m doing this alone… or at least it will be me and my little friend.” I gave the night caster another shake. “I know I can get myself out again; I’m not so sure about the three of you, and I’m not willing to take that chance. Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

“Knox—”

I didn’t wait to hear Dromon’s further protest. While ten years ago, I never wanted the responsibility of being a leader, I was the alpha of our small group. I didn’t know if that was because I’d freed them from the harem or if, over time, a more dominant personality had emerged.

Or maybe it’s because we’re all that remain of the shifters. Either way, they didn’t disobey my command to stay behind.