Uncle’s voice. Behind us.
He stood at the foot of the staircase in his dressing gown. Candle in one hand. Face slack with drink, but eyes sharp.
“Thought I heard rats.” His words slurred at the edges. “Just my ungrateful niece.”
My heart slamming against my ribs.
“We’re leaving. Elspeth is coming with me.”
“Is she?” He shuffled closer. I stepped back, keeping myself between them. “She’s mine until eighteen. Legal property.”
“I was never your property.”
“You were my investment.” He laughed, wet and ugly. “Sixteen years of feeding you, and you threw it away for a creature that can’t even speak.”
Elspeth’s hand found mine. Squeezed.
“We’re leaving,” I said again.
“Guards!” His voice cracked on the word. “GUARDS!”
Footsteps from outside. The door rattled.
“Did you think I wouldn’t post men?” Swaying slightly. Pleased with himself. “After your monster carried you off? I’m not stupid, girl.”
Two men. Armed. Blocking the exit.
“Take them to the cellar.” Uncle waved his candle. “Let them think about their choices.”
One guard grabbed my arm. Wrenched it behind my back. I bit down on the cry.
“Wren!” Elspeth.
Uncle grabbed her. She screamed. Small and high and terrified.
“Shut up.” He shook her. “Shut UP.”
How many minutes? I’d lost count. Tavrin out there in the dark. Hearing this. Fighting himself. Breaking.
“Let her go.” My voice shook. I hated it.
“Or what? Call your monster?” Uncle’s face was close now. Drunk breath. Petty rage. “He’s not coming. Why would he care about something like you?”
“Please.” The word scraped out of me. “Please, just let us go.”
“Please.” He mimicked it back. High and mocking. “Eight years you never once said please. Never once said thank you. And now you beg?” He spat at my feet. “Too late.”
A sound from outside.
Low.
Rumbling.
Uncle stopped.
The guard holding me went still.
The rumble grew. Deeper. Closer. The floor vibrated. The windows rattled in their frames. The candle flame flickered.
