A thunk on the table had me carefully opening my eyes. He was still on his knees before me, studying me closely. Ignoring him, I leaned forward to see what was in the goblet. Light reflected off the gold, making it easy to see the red contents.
I leaned back and picked at my bread, unobtrusively studying him as he fisted his hands in his hair.
“Poor choice. Foolish. Unworthy,” he mumbled, shaking his head and making the chains rattle.
The man was unhinged. Completely off his rocker. Maybe that was why he’d been chained to the wall. But if he broke free of his chains as a skeleton, why hadn’t he broken away when he was still alive?
“Simple. The answer is simple.” He released his hair.
The golden goblet disappeared, replaced by a clay cup. It was harder to see what was in it. So I used my finger to check. It came away chilled and dripping clear liquid. I hoped that meant it was water.
Lifting the cup to my lips, I took a tentative sip before gulping it down.
He gave a pained groan again.
“Her skin. Look at it. I want it.”
And with that, he ruined a perfectly good meal.
He let out a remorseful wail as I stood and left the room.
In the hall, the light illuminated another stairway opening on the opposite wall. I hurried to it and started upward. Some part of me hoped that, if I found the original room I’d been spelled to, maybe Eliana would find me.
My feet flew up the steps. I stubbed my toes and fell numerous times, but didn’t let that slow me down. I wanted to get out of the stairwell before something else found me.
On the seventh landing, I groped for the opening and slipped into the dark hall.
How was I going to find the same room?
Easing forward with my fingers trailing along the wall, I listened for any sign I wasn’t alone. Now that I wasn’t running up the stairs but moving slowly, I noticed the cooler air. Had it felt that way last time? I didn’t think so, but then, I’d been wearing normal clothes and shoes instead of a thin gown and no undergarments.
The torch by my head flared to life. Nearby torches did the same.
I froze and waited for Mr. Maybe-Hot-And-Definitely-Dangerous to start talking. There wasn’t a sound behind me, though.
A scrape of noise came from straight ahead. The light in the hallway grew brighter as if a ball of flame was moving toward me. Before I could move, a familiar figure stepped into view.
Megan, a fury who’d recently moved to Uttira, the same one who’d demanded equal rights for the humans here, strode down the stone corridor, and I almost fell to my knees in relief. Help had arrived. Finally.
That thought faded a little as Megan turned, drawing my attention to her massive wings made completely out of flames.
Those were new. As was the translucent woman struggling in Megan’s grasp.
The woman ineffectively clawed at Megan’s hands, which Megan ignored as she shoved the woman through the nearest door. Right through the wood without opening it. I blinked at the image of Megan, shoulder-deep in the wood panel. When she withdrew her hand, it was empty.
Shock sent me stumbling into the wall.
Megan’s head snapped in my direction. Despite what I’d just witnessed, I knew Megan was one of the few creatures who wouldn’t hurt me without cause. Furies only punished the wicked. So, I met her fiery gaze without fear.
“Megan, thank the gods. You have to get me out of here,” I said. Or tried to say. My lips moved, but no sound came out.
She gave me a curious look then turned and walked away.
My mouth dropped open.
She couldn’t be leaving. I was stuck in a castle filled with creatures that wanted to eat my skin. She had to help me. It was herjobto punish the wicked and, thereby, protect the innocent. Me.
I stumbled after her in disbelief and turned the corner in time to see her jump out of a window. Racing to the opening, I witnessed her flame wings spread with a snap, catching the wind and lifting her higher into a black sky.
