Page 161 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

“I don’t know how,” I whisper.

My magic still moves sluggishly in my veins. And it has only ever healed, with the exception of defending me from the forest beasts.

Could I use it to burn through my shackles? The bars?

Even if I can, what will I do when soldiers try to stop my escape? Will I hurt them to be free? I don’t know if I can…

“I can help.”

My gaze flies to Silas. His eyes are open, and his shadows have erased the illusion that makes him appear human.

I wait for Juniper to react to his pointed ears, but her expression remains calm. Stoic, even.

She dips her head. “My lord.”

He returns the respectful gesture. “Brownie.”

My gaze darts between them, forehead creasing. Brownie?

“Do you two…know each other?”

“No,” Juniper says. “But we know of each other.”

What in the hells does that mean?

Before I can ask, Juniper addresses Silas. “You believe you can help Elara use her power to escape?”

“I do.”

“Well, then.” She fixes me with that determined look I grew up seeing. “Let’s get to it.”

The night the monsters attacked outside the forge fills my head as I reach for the terror that motivated the first physical manifestation of my magic.

I picture the white light, imagine it forming into a key and slipping it into the manacles on my ankle, freeing me from the heavy metal chafing my skin.

But no matter how much magic I manage to gather in my palms, it will not rise into the air. It’s trapped under my flesh as much as I am trapped in this cell, and no amount of basking in my previous trauma is helping.

“Again,” Juniper demands.

I drag a hand over my disheveled hair and sigh. “I can’t. I need a break.”

“We don’t have time.”

Dian came in an hour ago, dropped off enough food and water for all three of us, then hurried away without a word. I imagine Lev ordered him not to speak to me. Or maybe he feels guilty about the situation and couldn’t stand to face it a moment longer than necessary.

“Nothing is going to work,” I say. “I’ve done all I can. I don’t know how to use my power like…that.”

Juniper huffs then whirls to Silas. “Well? Do you have any other advice?”

The Fae watches me; a question that’s hovered in his gaze since I started trying to use my magic remains, but he has yet to voice it.

“No,” he says. “I’ve exhausted my knowledge of human magic.”

“Then why isn’t it working?”

“Why, indeed?” He purses his lips, gaze dipping to my shackles then back up.

I don’t know how Juniper and Silas know of each other, or why the hell he called her a brownie. Anytime I try to ask, I’m reprimanded for my lack of focus. By Juniper, not Silas.