“Can you use that on us?” I scoff.
“It doesn’t work on everyone,” she explains. “I tried it on Lord Elheart when we first arrived, but he just looked confused.I think it’s something to do with intelligence, or maybe how easily the person can be swayed. It didn’t work on Father either.”
“Weird,” I say.
“No more talking,” Eden blurts. “The way out of here is right there. Why aren’t we moving?”
I shake my head, gesturing at Maeve. “She’s a demon. This palace is surrounded by a salt wall that she can’t pass through. Tauren told me.”
Maeve parts her lips before shaking her head and jabbing her finger at the archway again.
“I think she’s saying she can go through it,” Eden guesses. “We should just try it and see what happens. Once we’re out, we can make a plan of how to get back home.”
Narrowing my eyes, I study the entrance. Maybe it’s weaker above the arch? But that shouldn’t make a difference. Claren said that a line of table salt is enough to keep a demon away. Unless…
I glance back at Maeve. But she’s definitely a demon. She has horns!
This has to be about Tauren.
“You can stay here if you want to,” I tell her softly. “It’s alright.”
She doesn’t release my hand, pointing so hard at the arch that a muscle strains in her neck.
“This is ridiculous,” Blossom huffs, charging towards the archway.
“Wait!” I argue, but she’s already gone.
It takes her seconds to work her magic. One by one, she sneaks up behind the guards, charms them, and off they wander. When the way is clear, she waves over at us.
Eden grabs both of us. “Come on.” She drags us towards the arch.
I reluctantly run alongside her, keeping my gaze fixed on Maeve. Does she just want to see us off? We’re metres from the barrier. Why isn’t she stopping?
As we fly under it, Maeve winces a little but otherwise shows no reaction.
What?
We spill out onto the path, and I grab her arm, skidding us to a halt.
“How did you get through it?” I demand.
None of this makes any sense. Tauren couldn’t have lied about the wall. If he did, he would’ve gone through it himself. Then again, he’s apparently lied about so much already. My lip curls just thinking about it.
Blossom tugs at my arm. “Dahlia, we don’t have time for this!”
I don’t get a chance to argue. Boots slam against the gravel behind us. “Stop those women! They attacked Lord Elheart!” a man shouts.
I whip around. A dozen guards are racing towards us with their swords drawn. Way too many for Blossom to charm.
“Run!” she squeals.
All four of us dive for the trees. Branches slice at my cheeks, brambles cut into my legs.
In the panic, I find Maeve’s hand and pull her along with us. Blossom’s leading the way with Eden close to her skirts. But the guards are closing in. We’re not fast enough.
“There’s a clearing up ahead!” I shout. “Tauren’s soldiers shouldn’t be far?—”
I scream as two hands grab my waist and throw me to the ground.
