Page 64 of Uncrowned

My head shook, half in anger, half in confusion.

“Alright. What was your name before you were a slave?”

Brows wrinkled, and she straightened her arms even more for me to take the plate. I grabbed it, sticking it on the desk.

“Surely, you had a name.”

“You’re not from here.”

“…No. I mean, yes, I’m from London but⁠—”

“Here, take this.” Tears came to her eyes.

“Can you tell me about it?”

She quickly shook her head.

“Is it horrible here?”

She took a drink off the cart, placing it by the plate, turning to leave.

“Please don’t go. Please. How do I leave here? Where do I go to escape?”

The girl stopped, looking over her shoulder only to come back to face me.

“You can’t leave. It’s impossible. No one makes it out alive. If you try, they will kill you.”

“I have to try.”

“Then you will die.”

“No. I won’t. Just tell me where to go.”

“No.”

She went to turn again, but I dove, grabbing to the cart so she couldn’t take it.

“How many guards are at my door?”

The girl looked ready to bolt.

“There were two when I was walking up, but they ran toward the dining hall.”

“There’s no guards at my door?”

I rushed forward.

“The heir is claiming suicide again. He’s shooting anyone who gets near him. It’s a bloodbath this time. He⁠—”

I threw the door open, sucking in a deep breath as hope and fear nearly strangled me.

“Which way to get out?”

“Miss, I⁠—”

“Which way?”

She pointed left, and I didn’t wait.