“You can, and you will. After all we have done for you, this is how you will finally repay us.” She swept up the discarded party gown and thrust it at her maid. “Quick now. Rose, help her.”
Before I could protest, my coarse garments were stripped away. Yards of ruffles and lace dropped over my body, the bulk heavy enough to drag me down. Running would be nearly impossible. I had a horrible feeling that was exactly what the lady of the manor intended. To feed me to the beasts while she and Penelope escaped.
Lady Richwell dug into a satchel, extracting a tiara. “While Iregret the loss of the jewels, it’s little to sacrifice to see my daughter safe.”
With practiced ease, Rose whipped my hair up into a sloppy twist, jamming the tiara down on my head.
Lady Richwell peered back at me, tapped her chin, then sighed. “It will have to do.”
Regret shadowed Reginald’s gaze as he stepped closer. “Head down the stairs. Veer right. Once they spot you, draw them toward the kitchens. If you’re fast, you might shake them before—”
“Got it.” Before they slaughtered me.
As I turned to leave, Rose wrapped me in a tight embrace. Tears welled in her eyes. “May your feet be swift, and the fates guide you to safety.”
Not to be outdone, Penelope clutched me as well, nails biting into my arms. “Farewell, Serafina. May the gods forgive your many sins with this rare act of sacrifice.”
There was little chance I’d ever see her again. “Dearest, Penelope. It’s interesting you speak of sins because I have a confession.” I clasped her in return, and she sucked in a breath of surprise. With my lips pressed to her ear, I whispered, “I’ve been urinating in your bath.”
She stiffened in my arms, an indelicate growl rising in her throat. Before she could squawk her fury at me, I spun and bolted out the door.
Chapter Six
SERAFINA
Outside Penelope’s quarters,chaos reigned. Screams echoed from the lower floors. Smoke burned my nostrils and stung my eyes. The air was thick and cloying, carrying a coppery scent. I inched down the hallway, heart galloping in my chest.
I was going to die.
Rotten Penelope and her wretched mother. After years of servitude, they’d sent me out to meet a bunch of flesh-eating monsters looking like a decorated cake. Did they think I was some trained pet? A simple-minded fool, eager to march to my own slaughter to save their ungrateful souls?
Apparently so.
Animalistic yowls rose from the floor below, shredding the last thin thread of calm that held me together. Panic energized my trembling limbs. Screw Lady Richwell’s plan. No way I was detouring to the main hall to get the monster’s attention on purpose. There were several paths in and out of the manor, the royals knew nothing about. Servant passages, old delivery doors,hidden routes they never bothered with. One of them could lead me to safety.
But which one?
Near the end of the hallway, the screams grew louder. Footsteps thundered in my direction, and my legs locked in place. Something was coming. Mortal or monster? I prepared to bolt when a figure burst into view. A soldier. He skidded to a halt at the sight of me, armor rattling, eyes wide.
Relief washed the panic from his expression. “Your Ladyship. Thank the gods. I thought you were one of the monsters.”
“Same.” I exhaled a breath. This was good. I’d explain the plan, and the fellow with the sword would help me escape.
He gestured behind him. “You mustn’t go that way. The monsters—Ahhh!”
His warning ended on a piercing shriek as his outstretched arm was sheared clean off. Blood sprayed the walls. One of the creatures chewed on the stolen appendage. Another pounced on the man, pinning him to the ground, sinking jagged teeth into his throat.
I stared, mouth gaping. Breath frozen. That… That did not happen.
Up close, the beasts were even more terrifying. Their bodies were humanoid, but with long stick-like limbs and leathery, blackened skin.
Move, Sera. Move!a voice in my mind screamed.
Without looking back, I took a cautious step in reverse, careful not to make a sound. Then another. Another. Sweat slicked my brow. My breaths grew shallow. The wet smacking sounds of the monsters feeding pushed bile up my throat, and I swallowed it down. Not now. There’d be time for that later. I hoped.
Another step.
Glass cracked under my heel. Both skeletal heads snapped toward me.
