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Of course there are rules. There are always rules. It would be remiss otherwise. Besides, I don’tplanon breaking Alaric out. I have every intention of negotiating with them first.
“Then I accept your offer.”
It’s peculiar to hover in a gray area of trust. Knowing the person you’re working with doesn’t want to hurt you unnecessarily, but will if it’s the only way to achieve their goal.
Oliver escorts me to where I’ll be staying. It’s a modest home, but sturdy and clean. Inside is a table with two chairs in front of the window that faces out on the clearing, with drapes made of undyed linen, pulled to the side with a cord.
Through the door, directly halfway in, is a full-sized bed. Across from that is a fireplace already burning away the chill, with two chairs and a settee on either side. Along the back wall is a dresser with a mirror with a pitcher and basin on top.
“The bathing room is through there. The water reservoir should already be heating.” He rubs the back of his neck and jerks his chin toward a door at the furthest corner. “It isn’t much. I know you are accustomed to more luxurious accommodations—”
“No,” I cut him off. “It’s perfect.” I take his hand in both of mine and squeeze. “This is far more than I could have asked for,” I say, meaning it.
He visibly relaxes. “I will send someone with food and fresh clothes over within the hour. I’ll be right next door should you need anything. You’re welcome to knock, no matter the time.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I will leave you to rest.” Oliver backs out of the door.
When I am alone, I sit on the edge of the bed, then fall back, stretching my arms over my head. These accommodations may not be opulent, but the mattress is soft, and the blankets are thick and warm.
For so much of my life, I never knew the luxury of safety when I slept. I’m thankful for it now. And it means more to me than any gilded adornment or several wardrobes filled with gowns made of the most expensive materials ever could.
I reach into my pocket and pull out the small vial, then tuck it under the mattress.
My stomach is growling by the time there’s a knock on the door. I’m surprised to see Calla and her brother, who appears to be around ten years old. They each come bearing a basket. One with clothes and the other with meat and cheese wrapped in wax paper, a large heel of bread, a bottle of cider, and a plate and napkin.
As I eat, I think over the scraps of information I managed to wring from Oliver. He said they wouldn’t make any hasty decisions regarding Alaric, but he also didn’t make any promises to include me in any discussion, either.
At least I know where the holding cells are. I will go there every day, or every hour if I must, to make sure Alaric is treated well and remains unharmed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ALARIC
“What makesyou think I would willingly swallow your poison?” I cross my arms and lean against the wall, out of the young guard’s reach.
That pain rises up like a noxious beast crawling and writhing under my skin.
“It’s not poison. Now drink it,” the young wolf says, shoving the vial into my cell. He can’t be more than seventeen or eighteen years old.
Careless of him. With little effort, I could snap his bones before he could react.
“We will gladly chain you up if that is what it takes.”
Whoever trained him did a poor job. I don’t know if I should be insulted or amused that my abductors chose to put a veritable child on guard duty.
In a blink, I am standing before him, pulling his arm through the bars as far as it will go. The wolf’s eyes go wide as he realizes his mistake too late. The fear makes him look years younger than I first judged him to be. He is lucky I’ve decided to only give him a warning.
“You dragged me to this demon forsaken place, trussed up in night-forged silver binds—and you think such paltry threats will intimidate me?”
I squeeze his wrist until his grip loosens and releases the vial. I snatch it and let go of him. The young wolf retreats several steps and stares at me, mouth gaping.
“What is your name?”
“E-Emmett. Emmett Germaine.”
“Never give your opponent the opportunity to draw you out, Mr. Germaine. Make them come to you.”
