A low growl sounds behind me, and my hair moves in the gentle breeze. I flinch so hard that I fear my neck will snap.
“Fuck,” I curse, louder than intended from the scare.
“Don’t acknowledge it.” Silas tugs my hand away from the sounds. “Keep moving and get inside the castle. Now.”
Goosebumps cover my entire body, and I quicken my pace, still feeling the hot breath of something upon me, like I’m being hunted by something I can’t see.
“Fenmore,” Silas shouts. “Inside. Right now.”
She turns instantly, grabbing my arm to pull me away from Silas. I try to object, but the growing unease pushes me to distance myself from Silas to get inside the castle walls.
I allow a few steps to separate us, and I watch Silas seethe at the darkness around us. He shifts into a shadowy mist. Confusion curls my brow as I hear the noise again, except this time it’s faint, as if it’s following something—or someone. I freeze, paralyzed by my fear. My mind snaps back, bringing a faint memory of a similar creature to the surface.
“Get inside,” Warrick’s voice booms.
Warrick moves close behind, pushing Oak and Maines into the towering castle seconds later. The ancient black walls of the castle crowd around us as we enter a small hallway just off the courtyard.
“Where is Silas?” I demand.
“Likely saving your life,” Fen says casually, grabbing my hand to force me forward.
“What the fuck was that thing?” Maines cuts in.
“Andorwood guards. Annoying fucking things,” Warrick grumbles. “I can only assume they sensed what dwells inside Briar.”
“And they were going to attack?” Maines asks.
“They aren’t supposed to harm us, being who we are. Only outsiders,” Warrick explains. “But to them, you seem… dangerous.”
Maines grimaces.
Warrick cuts his gaze to mine. “Especially her.”
I keep my stare harsh, but focused.
“She is dangerous,” Oak says, abruptly. “You don’t want to piss her off.”
Fen huffs a laugh and angles her head toward Oak. “Well, aren’t you honest?”
He smiles, and she responds with a gentle curl of her lips, her eyes shimmering in the soft flicker of the torches.
Maines watches their interaction closely, and I study her. Her brows furrow as she observes Oak smile toward Fen. Jealousy burns in her eyes, and I’m tempted to touch her arm to bring her back to reality. Oak turns his gaze toward Maines and slides his hand into hers, squeezing gently.
Fen’s eyes cut to their hands wrapping around one another, and she smiles once more, turning her back to them.
I glance back down the long hallway, hoping to see Silas approaching, but instead I’m met with darkness. Fen’s voice pulls my attention forward, interrupting my thoughts.
“Come on.” Fen continues moving through the hallway. “Silas will be a while.” She urges us forward and waves her hand. “I’ll show you to your rooms. Dinner will be ready soon.”
Chapter 6
The inside of the castle is gloomy, the atmosphere making it feel like we’ve entered another world. The thick air that flows through the hallways carries the scent of musk and rich incense, which intensifies as we move deeper into the castle. The floors are made of flawless, dark stone that is so cold to the touch that it sends chills coursing through my body. The walls are lined with weathered stone, and I assume we are deep within the castle at this point, because it feels damp. Light green moss grows in the corners, and torches dance along the narrow corridors, casting additional shadows in all directions.
We round the corner, and the hallway opens wider, allowing us to walk shoulder to shoulder. Maines, Oak, and I walk forward in silence, waiting for the moment when we can speak in private, while Warrick and Fenmore lead the way.
“Almost there,” Fen says, interrupting the silence to point in front of her.
Warrick leans in and playfully whispers something in Fen’s ear, and she brushes him away with a huff. He slides his hand to the small of her back, trailing his thumb in small circles, and she takes a step closer to him after their lighthearted spat. His body towers over hers as she leans into him, and I can’t helpbut wonder what Silas thinks about his Commanders being in an obvious relationship.
