Anassa’s, I realize. I can sense my wolf’s gaze moving over these lost children. Seeing these children disturbs Anassa deeply, like the ache of long-lost memory, but the feeling remains immaterial and vague.
Saela pulls back in my arms, just enough to look up at me with teary hazel eyes. “It’s not what you think, Meryn. It’s so much worse than anyone knows,” she whispers. Her eyes dart around like she’s afraid there are eyes on her. Her grip on me tightens.
I reach up to sweep her hair from her eyes. “Right now, I only care that you’re alright,” I breathe.
Saela shakes her head. “Listen. Please.”
Jerkily, I nod.
Her voice drops further, like she’s hissing secrets, as the other children drift tentatively closer to listen to us. “The Nabbers were just like people said. They came through the window. I tried to fight but there were two of them. A-And?—”
“You did well, Sae,” I reassure her shakily.
Her smile trembles, then it falls. “They didn’t take me away from the city. The buildings got taller instead of smaller. They took mehere. They gave us to the king’s guard. I recognized their armor.”
My mouth drops open. I know we’re under the castle, I know this explanation makes sense, but a desperate part of me still hoped that there could be some sort of explanation that didn’t mean I’d have to fuckingkilla king for what he’s done to my sister.
Wrath flares through me, glowing like a weapon in the forge.
“Did they hurt you?” I growl. To my surprise, Anassa’s growl follows mine.
Saela shakes her head. “They tied my hands, but I’m okay.”
“You are,” I nod. “You’re stronger than anyone I know.”
Her fingers tangle with mine. “I was brought here quickly. I’ve been counting the days i-in one of the books. It’s been four months here. I think. It’s hard to tell, without the sun, but the guards come in a pattern.”
Fourmonths. She’s been here the entire time. Theentiretime.
“The guards aren’t cruel. They bring regular meals, clean clothing, books to read. But they don’t speak to us directly, never answer questions. They act like we’re not here. Or like we’re…”
Like they’re animals to be tended to and ignored. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper, tears threatening to fall again. “I’ve been looking for you from the start. From the start, Sae.”
She smiles. “I’ve known that. From the start,” she whispers back to me. I exhale shakily and nod, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.
“It’s why I kept track. To tell you everything, so that you can fight back,” she says, a hint of pride in her eyes. “I knew you’d find us here.”
“Fight who? The guards?”
Her expression darkens. Fear flashes in her eyes. Fear I wish I could take into my hands and crush for her, like grinding bones to dust. But all I can do is hold her and promise her everything I am, everything I’ve become.
“Not the guards. The king,” she whispers, voice breaking.
That motherfucker. I’m going to end him, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.
Anassa growls with approval in my mind; she wants to taste his blood.
Saela must see a flash of the promised violence in my gaze because her eyes widen.
“It’s okay,” I say, wiping her cheek with my thumb. “You know I’ll take on anyone. Even a king.”
“H-He comes every few weeks. He walks between the cells, studying us. He has the guard take down notes. Then he’ll…chooseone of us. Sometimes two.”
“For what?” I ask shakily.
She shakes her head, eyes welling. “We never see them again, but sometimes I think I can hear them screaming somewhere far away. And I’ve b-been passed oversixtimes. I’ve been here the longest. He’s going to choose me next. I know he is. Meryn!”
She lets out a horrible, pained sob, shaking her head. But when there’s a sound from above—maybe a door opening or a piece of furniture moving—her voice silences instantly. She sucks in a breath, muffling her tears and wiping her cheeks.
