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Della’s eyes sparkle like two black diamonds. “Mmm, I suppose Icoulddo that,” she says after a painfully long moment.
I blow out a breath, shoulders sagging in relief. “I have to leave.” I hold up a hand. “I’m coming back, but I need to find the oracle witch.”
Della’s mouth forms an O. She blinks twice then grabs me by both arms, pulling me to the other side of the hall against a pillar.
“What?” she hisses. Her gaze darts rapidly up and down the hall to make sure there is no one to overhear us.
“I need to find her so I can free Alaric from Elizabeth’s compulsion,” I explain.
She shakes her head. “How do you know he’s compelled? It’s possible he doesn’t want you because you have Cassius’s scent on you and you will be oath bond to him soon.”
“It doesn’t matter how—I’m going either way.” I back up, ready to leave.
Della pales as she speeds to block my path, eyes large and wild with an edge of panic. “All right,” she says. “I’ll help you.”
I should question this sudden change of heart. Even if I don’t understand it, she seems sincere.
In hurried whispers, I give her the list of food and other items I need. Then we agree to meet in my room in three hours. It’s longer than I want to wait, eating up almost all of my head start, but her help will prove invaluable.
* * *
I pace my room. It’s a wonder I haven’t worn a groove into the floor. The clock tower in the heart of Nightwich chimes, echoing through the castle. It’s been five hours, and Della still isn’t here. I can’t leave without food or a map. Even I’m not foolish enough to think I’ll find what I need out in the wild in the heart of winter.
When the door finally opens, I sag in relief.
Della tosses a pile of clothes onto the bed and holds up a bag with a strap. “I brought you a pack. The food is wrapped. It should last you six days if you ration it well. There will be rivers and snow to melt for water—”
“Did you find a map?” I cut her off.
Reaching into the bag Della pulls out a rolled piece of parchment. I pluck it from her hand and unfold it. It’s old and worn soft, though the ink is still dark. Tracing a line with my finger, I memorize the path from Nightwich to the forest on the far side of the Sunfall mountains. I could go around, but it would save half a day if I take the mountain pass.
“This is perfect!” I throw my arms around her neck and hug her.
She reaches up and pats my head before pealing me off. “Good, because I’m coming with you.”
I blink, taking entirely too long to understand. “No,” I finally manage to say. “Why would you want to come? I thought you were wanted to tell Cassius what I did.”
Della straightens her shoulders and lifts her chin. It gives her the appearance of a true lady. It reminds me how often I forget that the vampires I know—Alaric, Della, Cassius, and even Lawrence—are all leagues above me, even if they were human. I am nothing more than a poor girl from a small town, and yet, none of them has ever held it against me—at least not for long.
“I have my reasons,” she says coolly.
“Then you can come.”
I don’t have time to argue. A vampire could come in handy out there.
She seems surprised when I agree so quickly.
Turning away, I hurry and stuff the clothes and things I’ll need into the pack. A stray hair tickles the side of my face as I make sure my dagger is attached firmly to my arm.
Finally ready, I look to Della leaning up against the wall, but she won’t meet my gaze.
Two strong hands land on my shoulders. My spine stiffens.
“Where do you think you are flying off to, little bird?” Cassius purrs in my ear.
Chapter Ten
Clara
