Page 33

Chapter

Thirty-Two

T hey remained silent for a long while, and Lessia’s shoulders lowered when Loche kept his gaze on the dark horizon.

Quietly contemplating whether she could find a way to lead him into answering more questions on what was happening in Havlands, she jerked when a commotion inside the castle pierced the air.

Spinning around, she took a step toward the door at the same time as Loche threw himself off the railing and sprinted ahead of her.

Lessia followed him toward the ruckus, and several servants and guards left their rooms and posts to fall in step with them as screams and metallic clangs reverberated through the halls.

As Loche turned a corner, he lurched to a stop, and Zaddock came into view, his expression serious as he called out, “The castle has been breached. Turn around and find shelter. Quickly!”

When a few guards and Loche and Zaddock lingered, Lessia remained in place as well, keeping her eyes on the two men as the servants and other guards ran toward the direction they’d come from.

“Who?” Loche’s voice was calm as he addressed Zaddock.

Zaddock’s eyes flitted between his for a moment before he mumbled, “Stellia’s closest guards. They’ve killed two of your men and several of the other guards. They’ve made it into the castle. They went after Craven and Venko, but they’re safe.”

Lessia’s eyes widened as she took in his words.

Why would Stellia attack now?

She wasn’t in the election anymore, wouldn’t have anything to win.

Unless she wanted to take out every nominee and force a reelection…

Loche’s back straightened as he unstrapped the sword hanging by his waist. “Where?”

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Zaddock spoke urgently. “There’s a dozen or more of them. You can’t afford to be captured or injured. Not now, Loche. You need to go to the safe room.”

Loche shook his head, his jaw set. “I won’t hide, Zaddock. This is my fight.”

“All your men have been called in. They’ll catch them in no time. Please, Loche. We need you.”

Her eyes sliced between them as Zaddock’s face filled with worry and Loche’s features twisted with defiance.

But when Zaddock squeezed his shoulder, Loche’s eyes shifted down.

Slamming his fist into the wall, he cursed but finally nodded.

Zaddock’s eyes found hers. “You need to come too. Is your guard around? ”

Lessia shook her head, the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind not allowing words to form.

Bowing his head, Zaddock motioned for the guards surrounding them. “You follow them to the safe room, and do well to remember these are two nominees, including your current regent. You give your life for them if it comes to that.”

After patting Loche on the back, Zaddock hurried off the way he’d come.

Loche didn’t spare her a glance as he followed the guards down another hallway, his movements jerky, as if he was about to turn around at any moment.

Soon they stood outside two thick metal doors, and one of the guards tapped on one of them—some type of code, Lessia guessed, as it swung open seconds later.

Hushed voices clung to the air, but as she was about to step over the threshold, she realized the room was veiled in darkness.

Freezing with her foot in midair, Lessia made to turn around, but the guards behind her ushered her in, slamming the door closed behind them and leaving her in complete blackness.

Her heart began thundering as she listened to the heavy breathing and quiet murmurs around her.

Closing and opening her eyes, she tried to make out anything in the room, but whenever she opened them, there was only impenetrable darkness.

Clenching her fists, she tried to draw air into her lungs, but heaviness planted itself on her chest, and only a wheezing breath made its way down her throat.

“I need to get out of here,” she got out, not caring that her voice wavered, nor about whoever was in this room.

“You can’t leave, miss. We’re on strict orders to keep you here until it’s safe. ”

She had no idea who the voice belonged to but clung to the arm of the person next to her. “Please. I don’t care, I’ll tell them I made the decision. I…” She sucked in what little air she could as her pulse roared in her ears. “I need to get out.”

“Calm down, miss. It will all be all right.”

No.

She needed to get out.

Dizziness began swimming in her mind, her limbs tingling, and she knew she would faint if she didn’t get out.

Now.

A chilling chorus of clinking chains, falling water, and rusty hinges filled her ears, and another voice drowned the subdued murmurs in the room.

“You’ll wish you were still on the streets soon, halfling. You’re never getting out of here.” The Fae laughed as the heavy door slammed shut behind him.

She sprinted up to it and banged on the metal. “Please! No! Don’t leave me here!”

But he only laughed again, the sound barely distinguishable through the thick metal.

Lessia screamed until her throat was raw, her hands bleeding from slamming against the door, her eyes never finding something to focus on.

But the door didn’t open.

“Please!” she cried. “I need to get out!”

“Lessia.” Loche’s voice brushed her ear. “Breathe.”

Shaking her head, she tried to get free from the arms that wrapped around her, stumbling backward.

Other images flooded her mind: the creaking door opening, the ominous sound of something dragging on the floor, her backing into a wet corner, trying to hide with the rodents running over the damp stone floor.

“I can’t! Get me…” Her voice broke as the la st of the air in her lungs left her, panic clawing its sharp talons into her chest.

“Lessia, you’re panicking. Breathe.” Loche’s arms settled around her chest again, his heart pounding against her back as he held her to him.

“Focus on my voice,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling her neck.

As she weakly shook her head, the darkness around her seeped into her mind, and her knees buckled. Only Loche’s strong arms kept her from crashing down onto the floor.

You’re never getting out of here.

A cry left her lips at the truth of his words.

She might have left that cellar, but she’d never be free of the memories.

As unconsciousness threatened to take over, a loud crash sounded before her, a sliver of light trickling through as the doors burst open.

The last thing she saw before darkness swept her away was a flicker of silver.