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Farther behind her stood at least ten people crouched over shrubs. What was goingon?
“Will you disobey me ever again?” The priestess’ high-pitched words pierced myears.
I stood cemented. I had to leave without making a sound. For all I knew, this was some kinky sex act.Gross.
“Get back to work. Anyone else have an issue with touching wolfsbane?” she calledout.
I stiffened at her last word. Why were they handling the plant? I mean, sure, I had for a legit reason, but the priestess didn’t endorse magic or herbal healing. Was she collecting the stuff to create poison? Did I misunderstand something?Right, like her whipping a worker with abranch.
Unable to stop myself, I peeked out once again at the priestess. I had to see what the others were doing, as it could explain why Mr. No Pants had gotten attacked by wolves. I mean, I lived away from town, and if danger was near, I had to defendmyself.
Darting from one trunk to another, I happened upon her again, watching over the ten people dressed in black. Each wore gloves and mouth masks. They carried full-grown wolfsbane plants across the current shrub border and headed into the wolves’ domain. They entered the dark woods everyone was forbidden to visit. I gasped, at once pressing a hand over my mouth for making such a loud sound, and snapped back behind thetree.
What were theydoing?
The crunch of a twigs came frombehind.
I spun back around. A guardian had approached from farther away, and he’d spottedme.
Sweet mother ofpearl.
The beefy man with no hair wore the gray uniform jacket with double lines of golden buttons. He shook a finger at me, as if I were two years old and being scolded by my grandma, and hurriedcloser.
Dread locked my stomach tight, and I wasn’t sure I could move if I wanted to. I’d heard tales of the priestess locking up people she suspected spied on her. She was a private person and suspected everyone of doing somethingwrong.
The warrior’s lip curled upward with a snarl, revealing yellowing teeth, and his brow creased as if I’d just ruined his day by forcing him to do hisjob.
He reached for a long knife on his belt because that was how guardians dealt with anyone. Slash first, then ask questions. They obeyed the priestess’ law and enforced anything according to herorders.
Heavens helpme.
I rocked on my heels and swirled around the tree, running to where the priestess and her slaves worked.Sure, Scarlet, go straight toward the person in charge.Adrenaline fuelled my actions, so logic wasn’t part of theplan.
I leaped over a log and skidded across the dried leaves, arms flailing outward for balance. Landing on my backside had me wincing, not because I was helpless, but due to the pure shock of the experience. Fear shackled my heart into a boulder, and I staggered up. I’d end up in a cell with no windows and rats gnawing on my toes. I lunged into a sprint, but in front of me another guardian approached and the same problem faced me from my left. Escape lay on my right. Exactly where the priestessstood.
She turned toward the commotion—me.
I whirled on the spot, terror gripping me, and Grandma’s voice sang in my head. Something about facing problems when trouble hit. How running away was not the answer. But admitting defeat was the worstdecision.
My thoughts swung back and forth between giving in and explaining it was a mistake to escaping before I got thrown into prison. The priestess would suspect I’d witnessed her entering wolf territory, which was forbidden, even for royalty like her. Hell, she’d once punished a man who’d stumbled across her in the woods during her morning stroll. The victim had mysteriously vanished a few days later. Yep, everyone knew that if you kept your distance from her, you’d be safe. But now, I swore I’d witnessed something I shouldn’thave.
“Get her,” shebarked.
Foliage crunched underfoot nearby, and a current of wind swept past, tossing foliage into the air. A large flock of birds chirped overhead, fluttering out of the trees infright.
Sorry, Grandma.I darted in the priestess’ direction, angling aroundher.
Her mouth hung open, eyes widening withshock.
Our gazes met, her nose wrinkling, and an involuntary growl rolled through my chest. Where had that comefrom?
Clearly, just the sight of her mouthing my name,Scarlet, had me acting all primal on her. She had visited my store before, searching for a relaxing tea concoction as she’d called it. Her voice had been like a viper’s strike when she’d stormed inside, and I’d sworn she had been about to order my arrest. But weeks later, I’d learned she loved my tea. Now, I doubted she’d be so understanding. Not when I’d spied on whatever she wasdoing.
“Stop her!” the priestessroared.
I careened around her, out of her reach. A torrent of air sliced past as she swung her branch to whackme.
None of her workers moved. But a strong scent of perspiration like I’d never smelled before smothered my senses, along with something metallic-scented. A worker bent over a shrub and the gashes crisscrossing his back stood out, blood seeping from the cuts.Crap!
