“If you’re not part witch, then you must be a hybrid fae, but without the features, which is highly unusual.” His gaze moves to the side of my head. “If you are innocent in all this, I apologize, but I still think that you’re not. There are too many things about you that just don’t add up. Look, I’ll give you a horse and supplies. If the person who helped me escape left me coin, you can have the majority of it—”
“I don’t want your coin,” I snap. “I will be just fine on my own.”
For some reason, it irks me that he is treating me this way, even when it shouldn’t.
“I think so too. You’re powerful and resourceful. You can use your magic to keep yourself safe. To—”
I laugh, the sound bitter and sharp in the confined space. “I can’t use my magic. What do you think happens to people like me? To us half-breeds?” I spit the word. “We’re put to death, is what. I’ll be stoned just like my mother was.” I shake my head, feeling helpless. “Or worse, I’ll be captured and sent to one of the courts to be drained week after week.”
“So you are half-fae, then?” he asks, his eyes narrowing. I can just make out his face in the dim light filtering through the floorboards.
I nod once.
A knock sounds at the cabin door above us.
We both freeze.
“Don’t try anything,” Sebastian whispers. “If you alert them, Julienne is as good as dead.”
He thinks I’m a monster.
“I won’t hesitate to end you,” he whispers so softly, I almost don’t catch the words.
They leave me reeling.
Julienne pushes back her chair and goes to the door. “Who is it?”
“The shadowfae guard. Open up,” a muffled voice sounds from outside.
There is a scrape as Julienne pushes a bolt to the side and the sound of the door opening. “Oh! Good evening,” she says, sounding duly shocked. “What brings all of you here on this fine evening?”
“Greetings,” a male shouts from outside. “We’re searching for escaped prisoners. We need to search your property.”
“Oh my! Escaped prisoners?” Julienne sounds alarmed. “Are they dangerous?”
“Very dangerous, my lady,” the guard says.
“In that case, you had better come inside.” Julienne sounds unsure now.
There are boot falls as they walk inside. I hope we didn’t leave something up there that will give us away. I clasp my hands together in my lap.
Sebastian shifts beside me, tilting his head to track the movement above. He looks tense. His eyes dart to me for a moment before going back up.
He really distrusts me that much. It sours my gut, but once again, I understand where it’s coming from.
“We appreciate your cooperation,” another voice says. This one is deeper, more authoritative. “Have you seen anyone pass by this evening?”
“No, no one,” Julienne says. “I’ve been here all evening. Just me and my stew.”
More footsteps. They’re spreading out, searching the cabin.
“Is there a barn out back?” someone asks.
“Yes, for my horses,” Julienne replies. “Feel free to take a look.”
I count the footsteps, trying to map out how many guards there are. One near the door. Two moving toward what must be the back of the cabin. Another by the hearth. At least two more heading outside toward the barn.
There must be at least six of them. Perhaps more outside.
