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Eighteen
Rosalie
Ara and Luna had checked on me, followed by Janetta. I couldn’t tell her what I discovered, not when I had no solution. I thought of Alicia. A delicate young woman who would wither within minutes at the Borderlands.
Even the Haalow sisters wanted to pay off the debt, not die for it. The youngest, Chloe, was too sweet and innocent for war. I owed nothing to the girls, but I couldn’t stomach the truth of knowing what awaited them, and Janetta . . . there had to be a way to stop this.
Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains blowing in the night breeze. The one lantern I had left lit flickered shadows across the walls. No matter how much I wanted to sleep, my mind wouldn’t rest and all I could think about was the future that awaited all of us.
The estate presented the perfect homestead for anyone. Why did Demious make us do these ridiculous tests and why let us enjoy ourselves? Did he care that most of the women here would die? Why would he act as if this competition to win his eye actually mattered?
Feeling lost, confused, and afraid, I closed my eyes and stilled my thoughts.
All Father, hear my plea.
The last time I prayed was after my parents died. I didn’t know why, but I needed guidance, a sign on what to do next.
Do I try and escape? And hope I can survive the pain of crossing the barrier around the estate? The ash raptors couldn’t do it, but maybe if I run?
Do I do everything I can to prove I’m chosen and safe?
Could I truly send those girls to war?
A strong wind entered the room and I sat up, fear shivering down my spine. A cloaked figure stepped toward my bed.
I gripped the blanket to my chest. Was it Demious? Had he seen me spying earlier?
The shadow stepped into the ray of moonlight pouring in from the window, revealing my intruder. Baine held a finger to his lips as he crept closer.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered.
He motioned to the large wardrobe where my gowns hung. I tossed the blanket aside. Baine rummaged through the wardrobe until he had a hooded navy cloak and a matching dress.
He handed me the clothes and moved to the window.
Thankfully, the dress slipped on easily, no constricting bodice. Once clothed, I hurried to Baine.
“When I transform, get on my back,” he said.
“What? Why?”
“Trust me,” he whispered before shifting into the silver haired wolf.
Glancing at the massive beast, I wondered where we were going and why he was in his wolf form. He nudged my belly with his head, urging me to get on.
“All right.” Lifting one leg over, I climbed onto his back and grabbed the fur by his neck. “What—”
The words died in my throat as Baine leapt out of the window and we soared through the air. With a silent scream, I closed my eyes and flattened myself on his back, holding his fur in a death grip.
He landed with a thud, surprisingly didn’t kill us, and tore off into the woods.
When Baine used theothermethod, the speed made my head spin, but in wolf form he wasn’t as fast. Faster than a normal wolf, but slow enough that I could enjoy the wind on my cheeks and the rushing landscape. Holding on tight, I smiled at the way he flew around the trees and leapt over fallen branches. Graceful, steady, and solid.
I wasn’t sure where he was taking me, but I sensed from the direction he was headed, we were going toward the entrance of the estate.
He slowed before coming to a full stop. I slid off his back and watched the fur disappear, replaced by beautiful dark skin. His silver hair hung over his right eye, and I desperately wanted to see his expression.
“How do you transform with your clothes?” I asked.
