The stakes were too high.
I lay beside Lilyanna, my body jerking every time I felt myself succumbing to sleep.
All the fires were blazing, the windows permanently locked, but the spirits closed in. Every puff of air on my face, every tickle on my calf had me jumping out of bed and swatting at my body. Lilyanna slept through everything; it seemed to be her forte.
I stared at the bare patch of wall between the mute-colored tapestries. The stones merged, gray on gray, the cement bleeding into the monotone. Noiselessly, the bottom stone pushed outward, barely an inch but enough to draw my attention. Then the one above did the same. A line gradually formed. Below the ceiling, the ripple spread sideways in both directions in eerie unison.
It was a ‘T’, a sign. Were they coming for me? Warning me? I leaped out of bed and stumbled to the wall, barely able to keep on my feet. I ran my hands over the surface, but it was smooth. No cement flaked to the ground beneath, and the stones were cold.
I turned to check on Lilyanna, who remained fast asleep, her breath rhythmic and soft. Maybe the spirits weren’t malevolent. Or not to me, at least. Siobhan was surprised I couldn’t see them. Maybe my magic did more than I thought, and it connected me or kept me safe. She’d been careful never to tell me what else blood magic could do. She sidestepped my questions, always keeping me focused on the thing I was forced into doing with my gift.
Midnight stillness settled on the room. The night sky was abnormally clear. Even through the thick windows, the stars beamed. I threw off the covers and glanced one last time at Lilyanna to make sure she remained asleep and that the sheets lay calm before slipping from the room.
My cloak hung in its usual place, and I wrapped myself within its familiar folds. Closing the door to my room behind me, I rested my hand on the cold stone wall.
“I want to go outside,” I whispered, “and not meet anyone.” Nothing happened. I’d been very drunk the last time the castle opened up before me. Maybe I’d imagined it.
A gust of winter air blew down the corridor, purging the rose scent. I snapped my head up and moved toward it, following a route I’d never taken. My shoulders soon brushed the walls, my way chosen for me by the narrowing passageway. Every time a new fork appeared, the castle forced me toward it, as if it were squeezing me out.
Eventually, a set of stone stairs rose before me spiraling up into the darkness. “I wanted to get out, not go up,” I hissed. Nothing answered. I turned around but the corridor disappeared, replaced by a bare gray wall.
My stomach churned, but I had no choice. Hugging the wall with my eyes glued to my feet and not at the ever-increasing drop, I climbed until I hit another door. I pushed against it, but something pressed back. I slammed my shoulder into it and squeezed through the small gap.
The wind tore into me, crushing me back against the door and sealing it tight. I fought for breath, my chest aching and my eyes watering at the sudden cold. I pushed toward the edge, my hood flying down and my hair ripping free from its bounds.
I was on the turret.
The wind raced around the crenels carved into the parapet, only ceasing when I leaned over the edge, pressing myself against the stone for shelter. The central street glowed faintly, illuminated by starlight. Lights burned in some of the houses, chimneys smoking, bats silhouetted against the sky.
A faint slam echoed behind me, but the wind tore the sound away before I could be sure I’d even heard it. I looked around. The turret was empty. I leaned back over the crenel and squinted at the horizon.
Beyond the wall, the moor stretched vast and wild to the south, unlit and untouched. I drank in a greedy breath, imagining myself out there, free of all responsibilities, carving my own path.
“Sleepwalking, Tam?”
I spun around, clutching the turret edge. “Where did you come from?” The door remained closed. How had he managed to sneak up on me?
The prince bestowed me with a smile. His chestnut hair was tousled, pink whipped into his smooth cheeks. He was unnervingly handsome even when he was playing with me. This time, I could feel his aura luring me closer.
“I fancied some air,” he said. “We seem to have a lot of similar ideas recently, you and I.”
The magic pulsed. This was my chance. He was alone, unprotected, unguarded. But how to make it look like an accident? I couldn’t just scratch his eyes out or seduce him. He couldn’t know what had happened, or I’d be dead as well.
“Yes, but at least I can dress myself.” I motioned for him to come closer. “Let me fix that.” One side of his lapel had turned up in the wind. I could smooth it out, catch the smooth skin of his neck with the edge of my nail.
The Sheriff’s face swam before me, and I blinked it away, swallowing back the bile that laced my throat. Not now. Focus, Tam.
He glanced down. “You have been most useful since coming here.” His eyes met mine. Tonight, they were black. Cold drenched my skin, the magic faltering at my fingertips. He stepped closer, and I ran my hand slowly up the velvet lining.
“I’m glad you’re staying longer to be with Lilyanna.” His breath washed against my face, making my stomach flip. I flattened the lapel and pulled away. The prince turned to look out over the city, his body hovering next to mine. “The castle likes you, Tam.”
I stiffened. I should push him over the edge. Scratch him first, do both jobs at once. He was so close.
“I like you, too.” His focus remained on the resting houses below, but his words were heavy.
I raised my arms, inching behind him. My heart thumped. So close. I was so close to being free.
The door slammed behind us, and I jumped backward as Clement barreled over. His feet were bare and his belt weaponless. He crushed me into a hug, his chest heaving before pushing me away.
