Page 38 of Hellbound

A soft sound. Barely there.

Ksenia turned her head slowly, eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway. Nothing—

There. Another flicker of movement near the stone pillar to her left. Too small and quiet to be a guard. Bigger than a rat. She spotted shy eyes, a fine-boned hand.

“I see you,” she said quietly. “You may as well come out.”

Silence. A long moment passed, then a figure emerged from behind the column.

A tiny girl, scarcely six or seven, with curly yellow hair pulled into a messy braid and curious brown eyes that made Ksenia’s heart ache. She wore a servant’s simple dress, gray and practical, but was otherwise wide-eyed and keen.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” the girl said matter-of-factly.

Spunk. She nodded her head in agreement. “Neither are you, I’d bet.”

The girl’s lips twitched. “I live here. You don’t.”

“Fair point.” Ksenia bent down slowly to the girl’s height. “Are you going to tell someone?”

The girl tilted her head, considering. “Are you playing a game?”

“Yes…a finding things game.”

“Who else is playing?” The little girl’s eyes brightened.

“The guards. I’m trying to find something without them catching me.” Ksenia swiveled her head, looking for the soldiers in question. “I’m searching for the royal armory.”

The girl shook her head. “This isn’t the armory. It’s just where they keep extra weapons for the house guard.” She pointed a finger upward. “The good stuff’s upstairs, where the king keeps his special things.”

Ksenia inwardly cursed. “Thank you for telling me…”

“Can I play too? I’m good at hiding! Last week, I stole a whole pie from the cook after telling him there were rats in the pantry.” The girl’s eyes lit up with the possibility of mischief.

Despite everything, Ksenia smiled. “You’re a clever girl. But this is dangerous, you shouldn’t be caught with me.”

“But they’re coming!” she said with a devious grin, and grabbed Ksenia’s hand. “The game is starting!”

11

Ksenia reluctantly followed the little girl’s feather-light footsteps down the empty hallway, pressing against the walls till they reached a turn. Over her shoulder, Ksenia could see torchlight bobbing and shadows lengthening where they had both been in front of the door.

The little girl swept an arm to the side, and Ksenia sucked in a breath as she flattened to the stone.

They faced forward as a retinue of five guards came around the bend and marched down the hall.

Ksenia would’ve been pinched on both sides had she waited longer.

She thanked the gods for her new friend.

When the footsteps receded, the girl tugged on Ksenia’s sleeve. A set of stairs ascended before them.

When they reached the upper landing, the girl playfully jumped up and extended her hand to Ksenia.

“The armory is on your right! Now, what’s my prize?”

“Prize?”

“For helping you win the game, of course!” Her grubby fingers opened and closed expectantly.