I’m on my own. Same as always.
Except now I know someone’s trying to reach me. And that makes being alone so much worse.
I round the bend on the left and pause, forcing myself to slow down. It won’t do anyone any good if I face-plant or get caught stumbling around like prey.
Kestra’s quarters are on the opposite side of the castle from me. Which I’m convinced Moros did on purpose. For a moment exactly like this.
Shit.
I press myself into a hidden alcove, trying to think.
There’s no way I’m making it to Kestra without getting spotted. I’m in uncharted territory. This is the first time I’ve been out free, without a shadow following me.
In a shadow. That these beings can manipulate like breathing.
Kieran’s quarters are closer.
He’s not there. Exiled. Gone. But his rooms might have weapons. Supplies. A lock that actually holds.
And if I’m being honest with myself, which I try to avoid, I just want to be somewhere that smells like winter forests and cold metal. Somewhere that felt safe once.
Thirty seconds ago I was in his arms. His skin on mine. His voice in my ear promising they were coming.
Now I’m bleeding in a dark hallway, running toward a room he’s not in.
Pathetic, Morgan. Absolutely pathetic.
Holding my breath, I try to remember where Kestra said his quarters were.
“He’s always nearby,” she’d smiled like she was holding a secret I wasn’t allowed to know. Then she cleared her throat. “Two rights and a left.”
I slowly back up and peer around the bend again. Two rights and a left.
Just run across the hall, Ash. It’s easy.
I see no one. But that doesn’t mean no one’s there. I should have committed to Kestra or thought about this earlier.
Fuck it.
I run.
And immediately regret it when I hear a whoosh way too close.
A sting burns my thigh. Warmth spreads, blood, not a lot, but enough.
Tis but a scratch.
Don’t stop. Don’t stop.
Right. I nearly collide with the opposing wall as I keep running. My leg threatens to buckle, not deep, but the muscle’s unhappy about being asked to sprint. I grit my teeth and keep moving.
Bleed later. Run now.
I turn left and there’s only one door on this hall.
Even from here I catch it. Winter forests and cold metal. Him. Everywhere and nowhere.
He should be here. He should be stepping out of the shadows and putting this Fae through the wall.
