Forty-Nine
MANU
ELLNESARI, PRESENT DAY
Drip. Drip. Drip.I focus on the sound of water dropping from the ceiling into my dark cell. It’d be annoying in any other circumstance, but here, it’s proof that I’m not dead yet. I barely feel any pain. The cuts on my face and arms have already healed. Queen Maewe didn’t want me to enter bloodlust due to starvation, so she fed me Nightingale blood, which is stronger than human blood and filled with magic. That probably accelerated my healing.
I doubt I’ll have a scar, but knowing her, she wants my face unblemished so she can cut me again, and again. I don’t care what she does to me, but Karl… I can’t stomach watching him suffer. She broke his legs to make sure he couldn’t shift. I’ll never forget the sound of his screams.
A tear rolls down my cheek, and I wipe it off hastily. I can’t succumb to despair. I need to believe we’ll find a way to escape. I’m counting on King Ruel and his thirst for power. He’s gone too far to stop now. He must know Queen Maewe captured us. It’s crazy to think our freedom depends on a Nightingale. I curse the day Uncle Raphael agreed to help those motherfuckers.
My only solace is that Karl is in a cell nearby. I can sense him. I wish there was something I could do, but I’m useless.
I lie awake on the cold ground, imagining all the horrible manners in which I could kill Queen Maewe. Throughout my long life, I’ve seen the most gruesome ways a person can die, but no scenario is painful enough for her. I want to make the bitch suffer for all eternity.
And poor Adrian. I don’t know why she loathes him so much, but I could feel her hatred for him pouring out in waves. She’s the one who trapped him in the Valley of Lost Souls. It’s hard to wrap my head around Vivi and Rikkon sharing the same DNA as that vile creature.
Suddenly, my skin tingles. I recognize the sensation at once—it’s the touch of magic. I jump to my feet, getting in position to fend off an attack. My cell is pitch-black, and there isn’t even a window to allow light in. When the small hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, I realize I’m no longer alone. My pulse accelerates, but my claws and fangs are at the ready.
A pair of glowing blue eyes appears in front of me, then blue markings that glow as well, allowing me to see the shape of a massive wolf’s face. Oh my God. The queen sent a beast to toy with me.
“I’m not afraid of you,” I grit out.
“Bullshit. Your heart rate says otherwise.”
Wait. I recognize that voice. “Cheryl?”
I see her silhouette standing next to the giant wolf. “Yes. Are you ok?—”
I run into her arms and hug the female for the very first time ever. “You’re here. You’re really here.”
She stands stiffly without returning the hug. I don’t care. “Yes, I’m here. Luna and I are busting you out.”
My heart is still running at the speed of sound when I step back. “We need to get Karl. He’s nearby.”
“Ronan and Castiel are on it. Come on. We have to go. Hold on to Luna.”
“All right.” I reach forward until my hand connects with soft fur. I curl my fingers around a tuft, not wanting to lose my grip.
In the blink of an eye, the floor disappears from beneath my feet and wind rushes over my body as I free-fall. Hell, I’ll never get used to traveling like this. Mercifully, the sensation lasts only a second, and then I’m standing on solid ground again just outside my prison cell.
“I thought you were busting me out,” I say.
Cheryl spins around, looking at our surroundings. “Shit. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
A moment later, Ronan appears in front of us carrying Karl, and next to him, another giant black wolf.
“Karl.” I run to him but stop short of touching him. I almost forgot we’re still cursed.
“Manu, are you all right?” he asks.
“I’m fine.” I glance at his legs, which are bent at odd angles. He must be in terrible pain. My eyes fill with tears. “I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Castiel and another female materialize. He has Adrian, and the lady has Selor. They’re accompanied by wolves too.
“Curse everything. We weren’t supposed to still be inside,” Castiel blurts out.
