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Then stopped altogether.
3
ANARIA
Berenger’s breathing was ragged when he stepped away and unbuttoned his trousers.
The rest of them began stripping, until only Estienne’s sweaty palms slid wetly against my skin like cold, slimy eels, until the next instant, when I slipped right out of his hands.
I met Berenger’s shocked, stuporous gaze, neither of us believing I was free, then burst between the half-naked males, toward the opening in the hedge, adrenaline and panic driving me forward.
“Fucking catch her, you idiots, don’t let her get away.”
Estienne lunged, missed me completely, then I evaded two other fumbling males, thanking the gods for the strength of Menrovian liquor, which might just save me tonight.
Then I was running, following the furrows I’d dug in the gravel with my heels, a map to find my way out of the maze. I didn’t know if Berenger would think to follow the marks, so at every turn I swept my foot out to hide my trail.
My back burned, my legs were stiff from standing for hours, my stomach empty as a beggar’s pockets, my bladder too full. But I had to escape this maze.
Then I had to escape Varitus.
This place was the only home—pitiful as it was—I’d ever known, but heading back to the castle meant my death. Homesickness speared through me like a hot poker, I locked the hideous feeling down before it took hold.
I had only one choice. Bloodwood Forest. I’d take my chances in there, with the shadows and the monsters that dwelled in the dark, before I’d remain on Descendent soil one more second.
Out here…I was already dead.
In there...I might stand a chance.
There was nothing but silence behind me as I careened around another turn; well aware I was nearly naked. I smelled the woods’ damp, boggy musk, I was close,so close, if I could dematerialize, then…
But slaves didn’t have magic.
Not like the Descendants, not even like the half breeds or the lower common houses. When a shower of leaves and dust flew up in front of me, I slid to a stop.
Estienne with his sweaty palms appeared out of nowhere, his long brown hair suspended midair as he reformed. “You’ll regret running.” He punched me square in the face, my head snapping back so hard my neck cracked.
He punched me again, harder this time, his face bright with excitement as blood sprayed the air. “Ber can have you first, but I get you second. You’ll never leave these gardens alive.”
“Please.” I took a step back, spat a mouthful of blood into the gravel. “Please, don’t.” A chill went down my spine at the look in his eyes.
“Do you seriously expect me to bemerciful? You defied us, youfoughta Descendent. We are gifted magic by the gods, chosen over all others to rule. You deserve to die for even thinking you could defy us.”
There was a narrow break in the hedge, just big enough for me to fit through, right behind Estienne.
I had mere seconds.
Once the others appeared…
I launched myself off the ground, propelling my body straight into the break. It was like passing through the jaws of a mighty beast. Branches and thorns scraped my face while I clawed through the last few feet before stumbling out of the maze.
I raced for the shadows of the woods; my fingernails brushed the nearest trunk. Then I was yanked back and thrown down, gravel scraping my knees.
I hadn’t even climbed to my feet when the six males surrounded me, their breathing monstrously loud against my frightened gasps. Their faces told me two things.
I would not be a virgin much longer.
I wasn’t leaving here alive.
