“Maybe,” Phaedrus agreed. “If they see us—”
“We talk, then run.”
“Ainwir taught you well.”
“How do you think I survived this long?” I leaned forward, trying to catch a glimpse of who drew near.
Men marched through the trees, mere shadows at first. One broke through the wood line and stepped onto the shore, and I gaped at his regal attire.
Ebony black armor gleamed in the sunlight, strapped over a blood red toga. Black wings wrapped his helm, like a vulture in flight.
Worse, every man who emerged after him was clad in identical armor. These were elite knights, not mere guards.
“Hades Knights.” Phaedrus thought, eyes fixed on the imposing men. “The king’s honored guard.”
A final knight followed the rest: their commander. A fur mantle crowned his exquisite armor, and a red sash hung from hishelm. His gaze swept the beach, and he barked an order I didn’t catch.
“We need to go.” Phaedrus grabbed my wrist and pulled me up.
Hurrying after him, I avoided every twig and leaf that littered the ground. We weaved silently through the woods, away from the beach, and for a moment I thought we’d managed to slip away unseen.
For only a moment.
A streak of crimson flashed past my eyes.Blood. It gathered into a mass before me. Digging my heels into the ground, I tried to stop before I ran into it.
The blood took shape, growing limbs and a toothy maw. A scarlet lion lunged at my chest, knocking me to the ground and planting its enormous paws on my shoulders, pushing me down into a pile of leaves. Its mane dripped blood onto my face as it snarled, its lifeless eyes watching my every move.
The commander with the fur-lined cape stood over me, deep brown eyes gazing down at my face.
“There you are.” His voice was harsh and deep.
Phaedrus spoke next, his voice so different I hardly recognized it at first. Nearly an octave higher, his tone had lost its noble accent and was strained with terror.
“Please, my lord.” He fell to a knee. “My daughter has done nothing wrong.”
“Don’t speak unless you have to.” He spoke into my mind.
Gods, he was good at this. We really were cut from the same cloth.
Taking up my role, I stared in fear at the lion, but the emotion was mostly genuine.
“What are you doing out here?” The commander demanded.
“Searching for herbs,” Phaedrus said, groveling in fear. “My son was born sickly.”
The commander glanced between us and flicked his wrist. Weight lifted from my shoulders as the lion stepped off of me. Nervously rising to my feet, I flinched when the commander grabbed my chin and tilted my face up.
The man scrutinized my face, searching every line and pore. After a moment, he released me, and I staggered back. Phaedrusgrabbed my shoulders, pulling me toward him like a loving father. I responded in kind, shrinking against him like I trusted him with my life.
“Are . . .” Phaedrus stuttered. “Are we free to go?”
“This girl’s not the one I seek,” the commander said. “But your daughter is beautiful. I could think of other ways she could make herself useful.” His eyes scoured my body, and a couple of his men laughed.
Phaedrus’ hands tightened on my shoulder.
Staring at the man’s blood lion, I regretted not learning to fight. Seth’s sparring lessons wouldn’t help me against this enemy. He could overpower me with ease.
Waving a hand, the commander spoke in a softer tone. “I’m only joking. Hurry home before night falls.”
