Page 78 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

My mind is still racing with all the questions as to why the prince has chosen to keep me alive.What does he want from me?That Iza girl mentioned some kind of bond, but I don’t even know what that means.

Perhaps you should first focus on getting out of here.

Athriel’s sarcastic tone fills my head as I creep across the palace grounds toward the tall gate in the distance.

Oh, you’re finally back. Funny how you were nowhere to be found when the prince was drinking me dry, and not to mention the hours afterwards.

I told you…something was wrong.

How convenient.

Need I remind you that you are the one who commands me, so if it refuses to work, then it is because you won’t let it.

I would never pass up an opportunity to kill that bastard.

You may not know it, but you certainly would. Perhaps it has something to do with the new branding on your arm.

I rub a hand aimlessly across the black ink. I tried to scrub it away in the bath as soon as I got to the bedroom to no avail. I’m stuck with the thing, and I have no idea what it is. I focus my attention back on our plan of escape, too afraid to really figure out what the mark on my arm means. I only know that it is nothing good.

I keep to the shadows, ducking and diving through the night. This place is too big. From where I am, I can see the large gate drawing closer and almost curse at the fact that I’m going to have to climb again. But I push away my tiredness and keep moving.

I’m surprised that no guards are manning the area, but then I remind myself that it probably means that they are walking the perimeter and will likely be back any time now. I fall into a run, keeping my footsteps light and clutching at the iron gate like it is my lifeline. I step into one of the gaps and heave myself up and begin my climb. I’m so close. All I need is to get over the fence and I will be a step closer to my freedo—

“Damn it, you were right.” The voice startles me, and I almost lose my footing. I look down in frustration and find Ajax grinning up at me, his arms folded across his toned chest. Heshakes his head at me and then looks across to where I notice another figure tucked into the shadows. I consider continuing my climb, but there is no point when they’ll only drag me back down.

“Karius said you would try to escape, and I made a bet with my dear friend here, Ivana, about how long it would take you to reach this gate. I underestimated you, Red. You’re fast.”

He dips a hand in his pocket and pulls out a few coins, handing them over to the woman with the shaved head, or as he called her, ‘Ivana’. She takes them, and I’m surprised when I find a small smile on her face. She pockets the money and then shakes her head at me in amusement before turning and disappearing into the darkness.

“Surely some of that belongs to me since I’m the one you were betting on,” I grumble as I climb down from the gate, dusting my hands against my leggings.

Ajax tips his head back and laughs.

“I think I’m going to like you.”

“Well, I don’t like you. You just ruined my chance at freedom.”

His grin widens.

“You’re living in a palace full of the best-trained vampires. Did you really think you could escape?”

He lifts his brows at me, and I flip him off before storming back in the direction of the palace. Behind me, I hear the sound of his stupid laughter as I make my way back to my gilded prison.

Astrangled scream rips me from my sleep, and a force lifts me from the bed into the air. It takes a moment for me to realize that the scream belongs to me. I hit the bed with a force that causes my back to arch. I open my eyes, but it’s like the world is zoomed in, and everything is out of focus. I scream for help, but I’m not sure who I’m expecting to come. My body begins convulsing, and the vibration causes my teeth to clatter together.

My bedroom door slams open, and I hear a set of footsteps rushing inside the space.

“What is wrong with her?” I do not recognize the voice, but terror laces it, and I can only wonder what they are seeing.

The invisible force picks me up again, hovering me in the air before throwing me from side to side.

“Help me!” The words leave my mouth in a desperate cry as tears slide down my face. I try to gain control of my body, but whatever has it is far too powerful for me to fight against.

“Hold her down!” The voice belongs to a woman who sounds quite mature, and I can tell that she is human, somehow.

Several pairs of hands try to press my body against the bed, but whatever has me in its grip fights against them. A sharp pain shoots from my feet to my head, and a loud crack fills the air. It takes a minute for me to realize that it’s the sound of my bones snapping. My body bends unnaturally as the force takes over my entire being. I feel something tear along my spine, and a scream is ripped from my throat. I writhe in pain as several parts of my body begin to stitch themselves back together, only to break and tear all over again.

“Please make it stop,” I beg.