AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Miss Winter. I just heard the news. I’m afraid I have to take you.”
But he couldn’t have heard it, not when the rest didn’t know yet. A look at Hilda confirmed that, too, before the woman stepped in front of Winter.
“Good evening, master. How may we be of service?”
Behind Hilda, her hands moved, the directions gestured quickly. Then knives were clutched and hidden as the woman smiled demurely at the vampire, composure intact and matching the steely determination radiating inside. A protest lurked in Winter’s throat but stayed there when Maddox snuck in behind the vampire.
“Step away. I just need her.” The vampire smiled. “Or maybe stay. I might need you later, too—”
Blood gushed, and the vampire choked. An eruption of shouts came as shadows crawled from the ceiling, and she heard one loud and clear.
“Go! Run!”
Someone swooped in to lunge at her, but she sidestepped and kicked with all her might. Then she was running away as more shadows came, the violence ringing in her ears at each step she took. Panic had her missing pathways before she forced her mind to focus, retraced her steps, and followed the map in her head until the shadows were no longer there. Then something ticked in her brain, and she jumped back, hiding in the closest corner.
Calm down. Don’t think. Get ready.
The mantra stilled her body, then her mind. Her mouth went dry as she felt a specific vibe kick in, frantic. When it hovered over her, she shoved hard and was yanked by a force that didn’t hurt. Bloodied and limping, Maddox let go of her hand and ushered her out of the hallway.
“Keep going. You can’t stop like this.”
She glanced behind him, waiting. When he moved, she raced after him.
“Where’s Hilda?”
“We need to go.”
Ice formed in her belly. “Where’s Hilda?”
“Miss—”
“Answer me, Maddox.”
He spun to face her.
“It’s too late for her.”
The stunning sorrow in Maddox’s eyes drowned her, but it was the way he fought off the tears and rage that made her heart clench tight. They were still moving, but everything was becoming numb as she was hit with the reality that the woman who had helped her fit in had gone another step to protect her. It sank into her belly, then down until her knees felt like jelly. Somehow, despite his sorrow, Maddox had more willpower as he dragged her endlessly into halls she didn’t know and pathways that didn’t make sense anymore. Before she knew it, they were out of the castle’s side exit and crawling down bushes to stay out of sight.
Her mind went blank, blocking out the feeling of losing Hilda and refusing to acknowledge that Nate might be gone, too. Her heart broke, detaching from her body that struggled for survival when the chances were slim. But when they got out of the grassy area, and it was Maddox who remained crouched, she snapped out of it and held out her hand. He looked at it, then at her.
“Don’t let her sacrifice be for nothing.”
If he howled in pain, she would have understood. But Maddox was silent as he took her hand and allowed her to help him up. That silence wrapped around them as they entered the market, hid from view, and continued navigating their way toward a row of buildings at the back. Colorful wares caught her eye, most of them for the kitchen. A woman in dirty clothes stepped forward, perused her, and pointed to a door.
“That way. Hurry.”
“Thank you.”
“Where’s Hilda?” the woman asked Maddox. He didn’t answer. “Where’s my sister?”
Winter closed her eyes, unable to bear listening or feeling the next bout of grief. When she opened the door, she froze at the onslaught of even more emotions, cluing her in that she wasn’t alone. A lamp hanging on a pole gave her a view of who was inside: Stephanie, bloodied and shoulders slumped. Rebekah, her arms wrapped around House Rue’s daughter. There were several more faces she recognized at the parties that she had attended, but it was Matthew’s grim face that pinned her in place as he trudged forward and held out his hand.
“Come. You will be safe here.”
She took the offered hand, but safety no longer had a place in Ostrov Krov for the likes of her.
“Can Nate compel vampires?”
