Page 28 of Wraithwound

Well, that must be terrifying. Her irritation eased some at this, remembering the terror that coursed through her when she’d seen that animal in the forest.

“They’re… a slight gold color,” the blonde woman said.

“Orange,” whispered another voice. The third woman.

She was astonished but also horrified, dread filling the pit of her stomach.

“Who are you?” asked the woman sitting in the middle.

Lena didn’t reply.

“I’m Riley; this is Laney,” she motioned to her right, “and that is Camille.”

Lena looked between the women. They sat huddled close together like they knew each other well.

“Why’d he bring you here? Vince. The fact that he didn’t kill you. What’s he got planned for you?” Riley asked.

Lena considered not answering but then relented. “I’m a gift for the Commander. And you?”

“I don’t know why I was brought here,” Riley said.

“I was selected for the Moon Bathing Ceremony,” Laney volunteered, “but I didn’t know . . . I didn’t expect to end up here afterwards.” Tears slid down her face as she added, “Maybe I offended Lunis somehow.”

“I didn’t put my name in for the ceremony,” Camille said, addressing Laney.

“You didn’t?” Laney asked, leaning forward to look at Camille.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Camille shook her head. “I thought telling you would just make you a target.”

“But then why . . . ” Laney’s voice trailed off, perhaps deciding that she was no longer interested in the answer.

“It’s going to be okay, Laney,” Riley said, reaching out to lay her bound hands over Laney’s.

The consolatory gesture made Lena’s heart ache as Vince’s words ripped through her once more, I expected you to be at the northern gate before dawn . . . wearing that emerald broach.” She didn’t want to think about it. Couldn’t. Not if she was to focus on getting out of here.

The conversation in the next cell faded into the background as she considered her options. Revealing any information about herself when these women knew what she was would be risky, but she didn’t see any other options.

“Maybe we can help each other?” Lena tried, lifting her hands up. When they didn’t respond, she remembered they couldn’t see her. “Could one of you untie me?”

“I— I don’t think unbinding her hands is a good idea,” Camille said.

Riley looked at Camille seeming to consider her options.

Lena couldn’t blame them. She likely looked terrifying in the dark, and nobody in their right mind would willingly approach somebody who’d been infected. She hadn’t exactly done herself any favors just now by withholding information, but perhaps she could approach the situation in a different way. Shaking off the cobwebs of disuse, Lena summoned the healer she’d once been.

“You remind me of my brother, Camille. It’s the hair,” she said. Sadness crossed over Camille’s face, silence slowly filling the space between them.

Just when Lena thought she wouldn’t answer, Camille replied, “I have a brother too.”

And then, as if Lena had been struck, she realized who sat in front of her. “James?”

Camille’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know that?”

“I met him and your father,” Lena said, unable to keep the shock out of her voice.

Camille gaped. Both Riley and Laney were staring at her now too.

“I don’t believe you,” Camille said.