The new guard’s thoughts were simple enough. He loathed the upcoming hours of tedium, guarding a stranger of insignificant value to his career.
Perfect.
I moved to the door and placed my hand to the wooden planks. Holding my breath, I gathered my strength.
Would you help me?
A moment later, the door creaked open an inch and I met the eyes that glared through furrowed, bushy brows. Black skin blended against the darkened hallway.
“I—” I stuttered when the guard pushed it open even more with one gigantic hand, exposing a brute of a man double my size in girth and pure muscle. Candlelight gleamed from a shorn skull. A ragged scar ate through the line of his jaw. His head jerked back upon seeing me. His unreadable gaze swept the length of my gown.
“Did you say something?” Suspicion penetrated his graveled voice.
I bowed my head in mildness, possibly even terror, my heart working wildly. “Forgive me, sir. I cannot sleep. I am so far from my own home and I’m very uneasy.”
Might I stretch my legs?
He blinked once. “You want to go for a walk?”
“Yes, please.” But it was more of a question.
He stepped back, giving me space to exit. “Then allow me to escort you.”
I swallowed, glancing beyond the door.
“What is your name?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.
“Reese.”
He wore the forest-green tunic of an Anolyn foot soldier. “It’s so dark, Reese.” Will I be safe?
One side of his lips quirked up as he regarded me. He offered an arm. “With me? There is nowhere safer.”
And for some odd reason, I believed him. I do not wish to be seen.
He nodded his understanding and I gently took his arm. Muscle budged beneath my slight fingers and I gulped down a growing swell of anxiety.
He guided me the opposite direction I had originally come, turning down several unlit passage ways. My heart thudded in my chest, my nerves on high-alert. I pulled my knife, fisting it behind my back in case the guard had other plans, but after another minute, a light grew stronger. He brought me to a narrow spiral staircase. He unwrapped my grip, only to transfer it to his hand. He kept me close, down two flights of mind-whirling stairs, tucked behind his larger form. Hushed voices traveled toward us from the first floor and I pulled back, nearly tumbling down on top of him when he whirled. I gripped his shoulder to keep from falling.
I could barely see his eyes or reaction in the cold, hollowed stairwell, but knew he was watching me.
I’m scared.
He let go. “Stay here.”
He exited, and I stayed pressed against the wall of the well. I shouldn’t have been cowering like some common thief. I was a warrior. The Demon Daughter of Eira.
Stupid, stupid title.
But I was also weak from three months of incarceration, and quite lost. My heart beat erratically, grinding in my ears.
A man called out in greeting and Reese answered. “You’re needed at the armory. I’ll cover for you until you get back.”
A door opened, then closed. Footsteps brought him back to me. “We don’t have much time,” he said dragging me from the stairwell. “This way.”
The guard guided me through a door camouflaged to match its surrounding walls. Twisting and turning we traversed down another flight of stairs. The claustrophobic air in these lower passages robbed me of breath and my head grew light, but then he threw a door wide, and cool air brushed against my face. I instantly inhaled several deep breaths, sighing in relief, but still the guard pulled me into the deep shadows of a nearby building that matched the make of the castle. The smell of flora filled my senses. A hot house, intoxicating and sweet. I could almost be happy.
Farther. I need to stretch my legs.
Following along a towering wall, we moved quickly. A low-hanging fog shrouded us. Although I couldn’t make out how far it ran, a river flowed, passing directly along the back side of the castle walls. The smell of mud and moss and mildew thickened inside my lungs. The river could take me to the ocean, but not yet. We kept going. A pathway disappeared into a deep row of trees.
Reese stopped a short distance from that path.
Where does that lead? I asked pointing.
“Into the main city.”
And the coast?
“The coast is ten miles more, past the village, and through Forest Hollow.”
“Thank you,” I said. And I meant it.
“You cannot go now. It’s far too late. You’ll be killed in that forest.” He held my hand tight, refusing to let go. I pressed out with my thoughts.
I would never dream of it. I am just so curious.
“You need to be back inside your room when the other guards return,” he said, his black eyes wary. “You are safe in Meyrion.”
I nodded. “I understand.” Go back to your post. I will be there shortly.
He hesitated. “You will not be scared?”
“I know my way back. I am not afraid.” It was a lie. I was terrified, but I had to get out of here. Thank you for everything. Now go, kind sir.
His lips grazed the back of my knuckles. Moisture stung my eyes as I fought off some unknown emotion. Keeping calm, I pried my fingers from his warm grasp.
I pushed harder. Go.
And with that, my guard was gone.
Keeping to the shadows, I raced across the obscured grounds, and sprinted into the foliage that separated the city from Castle Meyrion. My foot hooked upon something sharp and I tripped, barely catching myself on a nearby tree trunk. I swore beneath my breath when the piercing bark scratched into my skin. I wiped the dirt and scrap of blood on my dress. Weakness and fatigue already affected my steps and made me sloppy, but I couldn’t slow down.
I cleared the trees and skidded to a stop. Moonlight crept out from behind clouds to cast the town in eerie stillness. A mixture of elation, fear, and hunger clouded my senses. I tore the extra loaf of bread I had tricked from Sameen in half and ate to recover my strength, my mind working overtime to get my bearings. Shops littered the streets, their signs too hard to read. Night pressed against me. The cold air chilled my skin, but I barely noticed the discomfort.
In the distance, a man rounded a corner, his silhouette obscured by the fog. A city patrolman? Hands in pockets, he whistled a low tune, his pace slow and relaxed.
I spun and cut between two shops to the back alleys.
I continued through backstreets rank with the smell of sewage and rotten food. At the end of the row, a dim light caught my attention. I picked my way closer. A man exited through a back door, throwing a pail of an unknown substance. He wiped his hands on a towel, then tossed it over his shoulder and went back inside. The smell of urine and ale assaulted me. I covered my nose as I made my way toward the front of the building.
Candlelight illuminated the only waking business in the town of Anolyn. I peered through the windows of a tavern. Half a dozen patrons sat inside. It must be high-tide, the main reason a business would be open at such a weary hour: seamen had come in from port to rest from their ocean travels.
The magic within me already searched the room for what I needed—another victim. Two men at the back played a game of cards. One had tanned, hulking muscles and a large beard; the other was smaller, younger, with reddish-brown hair and a cunning glint in his eyes.
Perfect. At least I hoped.
My magic influence didn’t work on everyone; I didn’t know why it worked on some and not on others.