I pulled the ring off my finger and placed it in my mouth.
7
DANICA
Iinstantly disappeared.
I inhaled so sharply, I almost choked on the ring. Spitting it out into my palm, I shuddered, visible once more. Before I could talk myself out of my next move, I shoved it back into my mouth and cracked open my door.
Then I made my way through the palace, striding to the servants’ quarters and out the door that led to the dungeon.
I instinctively knew what to do next, and I didn’t question it as I slid my palm down the stone of the wall next to the door, drawing blood. Then I slipped inside, peering into the darkness as I made my way down the stairs. A wolf had given me the ring. I remembered that much. And she’d been here, locked away in the darkness.
I didn’t go straight to the wolf. First, I had to search for my sister. When I attempted to bring her face into focus, my head ached with a pain so encompassing, I wanted to vomit again. But Iknewshe existed.
I wasn’t crazy.
There were hundreds of strange creatures in these cells. None could see me, but some froze at the sound of my footsteps on stone. Others lifted their noses into the air, scenting me as I passed their cells. Still others ignored me entirely.
I peered into each cell, looking for blonde curly hair. My heart slammed in my chest as I searched for her, but there was no one familiar in this row of cells.
Until I made my way to the last cell on the right.
The creature was sickly pale, her skin likely starved of sunlight. Her dark hair was long and tangled around her waist, and she peered in my direction, one black eye peeking out from between hanks of that hair. Her lips were so red they looked as if she’d recently painted on a coat of dark lipstick and left it to stain.
She smiled at me.
“Come closer, witch.”
I glanced around, but she was speaking to me.
“Yessss, I can see you. I have powers that creatures such as yourself can only guess at.”
I took a single step closer and removed the ring from my mouth. “I’m not a witch,” I whispered, careful to keep my voice low.
She laughed at that. “Perhaps we can make a bargain, you and I.”
I was interested despite myself. Something about her seemed familiar.
“What kind of bargain?”
“I hold one of your memories.”
I scowled. “Of course you do.” The only person who didn’t seem to have my memories was me.
“If you’re going to be rude, witch, I will not allow you to enjoy story time.”
Something about the way she sat back in her cage, as if she had all the time in the world, made me fight back a smile.
“How do you have one of my memories?”
“There are seven of us. Myself, and six of my sisters. All of them taste freedom, except for me. We may be impervious to torture, but we can still be caged.”
“I’m sorry.”
She ignored that. “My sister bargained with you recently.”
“What kind of bargain?”
