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Voices come from up ahead, and I shudder. Terrified, I lash out toward the first door I find and shove it open. I dart inside, my pulse banging in my ears. It’s someone’s chamber, judging by the messy bed and table with a jug and cups. I also spot a blade inside a sheath on a belt, so I sprint over and snatch the weapon, just in case.
Back at the entrance, I press my ear against the wooden door and listen as I wrap the belt around my waist, the blade at my hip. It’s super large and even in the final belt hole, there’s a bit of wiggle room, but it will have to do. For those few moments, I try to calm my raging pulse. I’ve been going non-stop and I might pass out. I remind myself I can’t afford to make any mistakes.
Loud footfalls pass like whoever’s out there is running, and I don’t leave the room until I’m certain they are definitely gone.
Stepping into the corridor, I swing my gaze left and right, and with no one there, I move with haste to the stairwell farther ahead. The hairs on my nape shift, and my brain is on overdrive.
I rush downstairs and arrive at a door. The stairs curve around and lead farther down. Is this the basement? Because it smells rank enough that it could be? Then what is on the next floor down. I’m chewing on my lower lip over what to do but find myself drifting to the door and listening for any sounds.
Quietly, I open it and in front of me are a set of prison cells. Both are empty, so I stick my head inside to check out the rest of the room.
“What are you doing here?!” a male’s voice snaps behind me.
I flinch around, my nerves shot.
A huge guard with wet hair and clothes clinging to him like he’s just run in from outside is thundering down the steps toward me. He has a hooked nose, and I’ve seen him amid the wolves fighting alongside Mad in the woods. Fuck, why did it have to be him of all people coming down here?
His eyes grow as he really sees me… recognizes me.
Shaking, I stumble backward into the nearest cell and trip over my feet, falling over. I recoil on my ass as he marches right up to me, hands curling into fists, his jawline clenching.
“Meira!” a familiar voice calls me from within the room, and I swing my head to the left and lay eyes on Lucien and Bardhyl inside the cell at the end of the row. They’re gripping the metal bars, appearing just as shocked as I feel. Sweet hell, they were in here!
I hurry to get up when the back of the guard’s hand collides with my face. Pain explodes down my cheek, and I’m reeling, my back smacking the floor. I’m crying out with excruciating pain, clasping the side of my face.
“Got you, you little bitch!” he snarls.
