Page 22

It’s quiet in the room the next morning, and I swallow my disappointment when I realize Ledger is gone. I go to sit up and realize a vine is twined around my wrist to the bed. I growl and yank at it, making it tighten.

“Really, Ledger?” There is a small nail sticking out of the wooden bed frame by my wrist, and I drag the vine over it.

I use the rusted edge to whittle away at the stem little by little until it snaps in half. Pulling my clothes on for the day, I strap the dagger Ledger had given me to my thigh. Mia had been nice enough to lend me a sheath for it.

I decide to go find Ledger and give him a piece of my mind. Grabbing the new cloak he found me, I throw open my door and tromp down the stairs.

I stop in the kitchens to grab a few apples and carrots to offer to Apollo .

The morning air is crisp as I step outside. A shiver works its way up my spine, and I savor the cool breeze enjoying the way it drifts over my skin.

Standing and relishing the feeling for another minute, I throw on the cloak. The rough wool scratches against my skin and warms me almost instantly.

The smell of hay hangs in the air as I enter. Apollo knickers as I approach; he looks saddled up and ready for the day. The stables are surprisingly clean and spacious. Saddles, bridles and grooming supplies line the walls.

“Hey, boy.” I rub his nose and the white patch I like between his eyes.

Holding out my offering to him, he sniffs curiously before accepting and nudging me with his head.

I stroke his neck as he eats. “Do you want to know something? I used to dislike horses, but I fear you might have won me over.” He nudges me again, and I smile, offering him another apple.

Apollo tenses mid-bite before pushing me roughly toward the open barn doors. I stumble back, almost falling. “Whoa, buddy, what’s wrong?” I step closer to him, and he shakes his head, blowing out his nose harshly and trying to push me again.

I frown, confused until I sense another presence. My hackles rise as I turn around. My breath halts when I see Forde and a man I don’t recognize standing beside him .

“Good morning, Layla,” Forde greets, striding closer to me. My stomach somersaults uncomfortably, and I stagger back a step. His friend pushes one of the stable doors closed.

“Good morning, gentlemen. Forde, it’s nice to see you again.” I put on a pleasant look and stand a little straighter grabbing onto Apollo’s reins.

“Oh, it’s a pleasure to see you again, and alone! Where is Ledger? I thought for sure he would be with you?” The look in Forde’s eyes can only be described as predatory.

“He ran out for some last-minute supplies; he should be back any minute.” I lie as smoothly as I can.

Forde looks at his friend on the right, and he shakes his head no. “Anders here senses a lie. What reason do you have to lie, Layla?” They take a few more steps toward me. My hands fall away from Apollo, and he bristles next to me.

“You know what I learned last night?” Forde continues when I don’t respond.

He takes another step, holding out his hand to halt Anders.

“After you revealed you were from Bellehaven, I did a little digging and learned that King Sandor has recently misplaced his healer.” My heart pounds in my chest. “He’s offering quite the reward for her return.

Would you happen to know anything about that? ”

His lip tips up as he waits for my response. “No, I can’t say I do.” My eyes flick to Anders and then to the open stable door.

“She’s lying,” Anders announces .

“I don’t like liars, Layla.” Forde’s eyes narrow as he studies me. “You’re a long way from where you should be. Come with us; we will take you back. I’ll even consider giving you some of the reward.”

My body tenses as he gets closer. “I won’t go with you.” I step back, and my heel hits the wall. I’d made a promise to Ledger, but more than that I didn’t want to go back.

“I was hoping you’d say that. Do you know what I love most about the hunt?”

Apollo gives an agitated squeal from beside me. Forde is close enough now I can smell the scent of stale beer and the musk of his cologne.

“I like it when the animal doesn’t make it easy for me.

” His hand raises, and I try not to flinch as his fingers brush my cheek.

“I like the chase. But do you want to know what I love the most?” His breath fans over my face and his fingers graze over the pulse point fluttering wildly in my neck.

My skin crawls, but I stand my ground. I hold his gaze as my hand inches toward the dagger strapped to my thigh.

Apollo’s hoof slams into the barn door behind him, and I jump. I brush the hilt of my dagger, clasping my hand around the cold metal.

Moving as quickly as I can, I yank the blade up and attempt to find purchase in the soft skin of Forde’s belly. I’m fast, but he is faster, his large hand closes around my wrist tightly .

He squeezes and twists my wrist in an unnatural position, making me gasp, and I drop the dagger. He catches it with his other hand in midair and slashes it against my cheek. I recoil against the sting.

“The fight—I like the fight.” His hand seizes my face, his fingers digging into the skin of my jaw. He brings his mouth to my ear. “Fight me, Layla.”

My knee lifts to connect with the sensitive flesh between his legs, but he catches my thigh. He yanks it roughly, and I lose my footing. My back slams into the ground kicking up a cloud of dust.

The air is forced from my lungs, and I gasp rolling over onto my knees.

Before I can get my feet beneath me, his foot slams into my stomach.

Pain explodes in my right side as my body is thrown back to the ground.

I skid across the stable floor. My head swims from the lack of oxygen as I struggle to pull in even the smallest of breaths.

Apollo bucks unhappily as he pulls at his restraints. Forde stalks over to me, grabbing a handful of my hair and yanking on it painfully. “I wish we could stick around to see the look on Ledger’s face.” He looks back to Anders with a wicked grin and yanks me forward.

I scramble across the ground, scratching at his closed fist. The stinging from my scalp makes my eyes water.

He doesn’t release my hair as he drags me to a horse that must be his. He pulls out some rope from the saddle bag and tosses it to Anders. “Tie her ankles.” I struggle against his tightening grip.

Just as Anders grabs my ankle, I manage to elbow Forde in the ribs, and his grip falters. I fall onto my ass and kick out. My foot ricochets off Anders’ face, and I scramble to my feet, running towards the open stable doors.

I don’t get far before the cloak I’m wearing tightens around my neck, and I’m yanked back with full strength. My head pings off the earth so hard I see stars.

The stench of hay and manure choke me as I roll to my side. I push to my knees blindly, my eyes struggling to focus.

“I knew this was going to be fun.” Forde’s taunt cuts through my haze, and I force my legs to stand.

Apollo snorts angrily, and his hooves dance across the stable floors.

Anders rushes me, his stubby hands grasping onto the thin material of my tunic. The fabric rips as I push away from him, and the cold air assaults my bare skin. My undergarment is exposed along with my stomach.

He dives for me again, and I send my knuckles at his face. They make contact, and he grabs at his nose, crimson seeping through his fingers.

I turn, sprinting towards the exit. I feel the warmth of the sun, can taste my freedom as I reach the open doors.

Pain erupts beneath my skin; a weak scream tears from my throat before being stolen by utter agony. My body crumples to the ground, contorting and seizing. My ears ring .

Forde appears above me, smiling. His hand is raised, and his fingers dance as pain radiates through me.

The only thing I can think about is how many creatures had to go through this agony. How many creatures had this cruel ending, Forde’s malevolent face being the last thing they ever saw.

Anders comes into view. His expression is that of pure wrath as scarlet stains his face and hands. Terror grips me as he clutches onto my legs, wrapping the rough rope around my ankles.

I writhe on the ground as Forde drags me by the rope back into the gods forsaken stable, a look of sick satisfaction breaking out on his face. I struggle to breathe, gasping for air, and try to find room in my lungs around the blinding pain.

A dull thud draws my attention as Anders drops limply to the ground. He fingers a dagger that is now embedded deep into his neck. His eyes go wide, ruby-red blood leaking out onto his pale skin. A strained choking noise escapes his mouth before his eyes go blank.

The pain in my body mercifully ceases, and my limbs twitch with the aftershocks. I lay listlessly on the ground, covered in a damp sweat.

Ledger steps into view, and a gray smoke pours from his hands. Vines hold Forde in place as his neck muscles bulge, fighting against Ledger’s siphoning power as he pushes it down his throat. The air vibrates as I push myself up onto weak arms .

Forde sloppily throws daggers at Ledger, all of which he easily sidesteps. Fury laces his features, and though it’s not directed at me, I can’t stop the bolt of fear that tingles through me.

One of the daggers Forde throws glints in the sun a few feet away, stealing my attention. I realize it’s mine, and I drag myself over to it, only able to breathe once the hilt is clasped in my trembling hand. I slice at the thick rope encasing my ankles until it drops away.

Forde’s face turns a light shade of purple and spit drips down his chin as he struggles.

Ledger descends on him, his vines snaking back into the ground.

He slams his fist into Forde’s face, knocking him back a few feet.

He follows it with another blow to Forde’s stomach that sends the air wheezing out of him.