Page 258 of Bound By Crimson

Cool night air rushed in, brushing her cheeks, her skin, her lungs.

It smelled like freedom.

She took one last glance over her shoulder, to be sure no one was behind her—no movement, no sound.

She didn’t look back again.

She couldn’t.

Her boots whispered over the stone.

Noah was warm against her chest.

And she ran.

Toward the garden.

Toward the wall.

Toward escape.

Chapter Ninety-Six

Over the Wall

The wall loomed ahead, bathed in moonlight. It wasn’t far, but every step had felt endless.

The air was cold and sharp in her lungs, and the stone beneath her feet felt harder than it ever had.

Noah’s tiny weight against her chest reminded her what this was for. She clutched him tighter, heart pounding harder than her steps.

Though she didn’t look back, every sound made her feel like someone was behind her. The estate still pressed on her spine like a shadow. The place where her freedom had been suffocated.

What if this is another game?

What if Editha set this up too?

What if Grayson isn’t real at all?

She didn’t dare speak.

Didn’t dare whisper his name.

She’d been waiting so long her chest ached. Her legs felt numb from standing so still. Panic pressed against her throat—What if he’s not coming? What if she’d misunderstood?

But she couldn’t go back now.

Not after this.

Footsteps.

Soft, then heavier.

Like someone was carrying something.

She held her breath.

Then she heard it.