A start.
Without opening my eyes, I took stock of my limbs, checking for any new signs of damage.
Marco sighed. “To the bathhouse? We could clean her up a bit. See how bad her wounds are, and while we’re there,” he continued, his grin audible, “you and I could get all sudsy, pretty girl.”
“If I must. And it’s Alicia, sir.”
“If youmust?”Marco made a strangled sound. “Beautifulandshe knows where to strike a man where it hurts! Captain, I think I’m in love.”
“No.” The captain’s grip tightened further as he shifted me against his chest. “You’re just an idiot, Marco. Now leave Alicia alone and focus, will you? The bathhouse isn’t an option at the moment.”
“Unwelcome eyes?”
The captain grunted, something heavy and unspoken in his tone when he said, “Of the worst sort, if you catch my meaning.”
Where were we? I peered through the fan of my lashes, forcing every other muscle into limp stillness. Passing through an alley, by a massive gray building and anopendoor, belching thick, fragrant steam.
“Let’s get her to my place. It’s private and—”
To the captain’s residence? Over my bloated corpse! I came to life with a shout, punching the underside of his stupid, defined jaw.
With a colorful curse, he dropped me.
“Alicia, with me!” I hissed, and rolled out of reach, sprinting the instant I found my feet in spite of the fire screaming in my ribs and back, arms pumping leverage into each stride.
Distance—I needed it toflourishbetween us.
Slamming into the door-frame took the breath from my lungs, but I pressed on, even when the damp heat of a bathhouse slapped me in the face.
“Oy!” Marco shouted, fingers wrapping around my bicep.
Snarling, I clawed his forearm from elbow to fingertips, drawing blood.
He too, released me with a curse.
Climb! Kas would get to higher ground!
An ornate, spiral staircase snared my attention, and I veered off without warning as fingers brushed the edge of my shoulder yet again.
Another narrow escape—I grit my teeth and poured everything into my mad dash, strides long and sure, letting adrenaline fuel my flight whether Alicia was with me or not. And when I was close enough, I leapt, landing on the balls of my feet, maintaining balance in spite of the slick, polished banister.
I grinned, for I’d run the trees during an ice storm every winter since I’d claimed the forest as mine.
This waseasy.
Pouring on the speed, I gained ground on the dark shadows closing in, legs and lungs burning with exertion. Freedom beckoned. All I needed now was a window or a door with a lock. Then I’d rid myself of these bonds, lock Alicia safely away, and unleash the darkness and all its unholy glory upon my enemies.
When it was done, and I was fattened by their life-blood, we’d find the Trila-Glís and be gone before nightfall. We’d return to Belle victorious, and I could have my solitude at long last.
Shouting echoed from all around me. Heavy, masculine steps from the stairs on my left, barked orders from the floor below.
Gasping, I claimed the second floor, launching myself from the banister with a war-cry Kas would have been proud of. Aches and pains all muted, nothing more than a dull roar.
A large man wearing naught but a towel appeared in front of me, blocking my path. “What’s all the shouting?”
I skidded to a halt, sides heaving, jaw slack.
General Tilcot. Naked and vulnerable—and me, in no condition to claim the vengeance owed to me!
