If he was planning to fool me, I’d make sure I got there first.
The first voice I heard from downstairs was Meric’s. It was loud and boisterous.So, he’s still here, I thought. Then came another man’s voice, possibly the bartender’s, though I couldn’t quite make it out from upstairs. Only one of them, it seemed, was bothering to keep quiet for the sake of the other guests.
I was halfway through adjusting my cloak, smoothing the wrinkles from my dress, when I suddenly stilled.
A woman’s voice drifted up from below.
“I’ve been searching for her all night,” she said. “Thank you for helping me find her.”
My blood went cold, and a slow, steady fury rose in its place.
I needed to leave. Now. There was no way out without passing the stairs. No clear exit through the front or back without being seen.
I flicked open my pocketknife and gripped it tight beneath my sleeve. My vision blurred, spots edging into my sight, and the colors around me started fading to gray. I forced myself to stay calm.
No one was taking this from me. Not now. I’d chosen freedom the day I ran, and I would keep choosing it, no matter what. I’d kill if I had to.
I stepped out of the stairwell, and there she was.
Leya stood there like a phantom born from my darkest nightmare.
“Odessa!” she cried. “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
Leya’s usual radiance was dulled, like the light had been drained from her. It looked like she’d been crying for chimes. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes rumpled and worn. My body went rigid as she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me.
My instinct flared, hand pulling back, blade ready to sink intoLeya’s chest. Then, just quiet enough for me to hear, she whispered, “I ran. Just like you.”
My hand wentnumb at her words.
What did she mean by “ran” like me? Was she actually saying she ran from Gadriel? I must’ve heard that wrong. If I heard right, then Leya was every bit as reckless as she was witless. The whole plan hinged on her staying with Gadriel, on me vanishing without a trace, never to set foot on Hyrallean soil again.
And yet, here she was. Clinging to me like her life depended on it, arms locked around me in an iron grip. Like she was scared I’d vanish if she let go.
“What are you doing here?” I shoved her back. My eyes locked onto hers as my heart pounded like a war drum in my chest. “Does he know?” My eyes swept the inn, searching for any sign of Gadriel.
“Odessa, please,” Leya started, her voice trembling, “I had to follow you. There’s?—”
“What did you do?” My fury flared, sharp and blinding, hotter than steel in a forge. I was reeling. “You’ve ruined everything.”
“Odessa,” she repeated. “Let me?—”
“I don’t care,” I hissed. “Keep your voice down and don’t say another word.”
A quiet hostility hung in the room, rising fast. I doubted anyone nearby saw it for what it was. Onlookers might’ve thought it looked like nothing more than a disagreement between two women.
“Eva—ah,” the bard’s voice sliced through the tension between us. “Odessa, then? It’s no matter. I’ve encountered plenty of women like yourself, and many prefer to use different names. I understand the need fordiscretion.”
I turned my attention sharply towards him. “How long has she been here?”
Meric seemed unsettled by the edge in my voice. “She came by the inn, asking after someone that sounded a lot like you. Naturally, I offered my help.”
Leya flinched at my tone. “Odessa, please. If you would just listen?—”
“How long, Leya?” I snapped, facing her again. My voice rose with disbelief. “You said you’d been looking for me all night. So when exactly did you run? He’ll be looking for us by now.”
“Ladies,” the bartender chimed in. “Let’s not stir the whole place this early in the morning. Perhaps a drink for both of you to help calm your nerves?”
I didn’t spare him a glance when I grabbed Leya’s wrist, holding it tightly. “Is this some twisted game? Are you with him? Is he waiting outside? Did you lead him here?” My voice trembled with anger. “You betrayed me.”
