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“The daughter of the queen was forced to do the queen’s bidding,” I said.

“Suspicions arose that she was under the queen’s control.

Later, these suspicions would prove correct.

Though records are unclear, sources suggest the daughter of the queen was forced to wear some restrictive object which removed her will.

” The longer I read of the evil, shadow-wielding queen and her terrifying reign, the more Rook’s attention drifted from me, until his hand fell away completely.

He glanced from the book to the wrought cuff encircling his wrist. Finally, when I caught him staring at the cuff more than the pages, I asked, “Why do you keep doing that?”

“I—it’s nothing,” Rook said, though his voice was urgent. “Keep going, please.”

“Theories were put forth as to the object forced on the daughter of the queen. A necklace, a ring—”

Rook stiffened. He inhaled and his nostrils flared, sniffing the air like a blood hound. Rook’s wide eyes darted to me, and two black pools swelled as his pupils dilated. Though no sound came out, Rook mouthed, ‘Not now.’

“R-Rook?”

Knocking the book away, Rook grasped my arm and yanked me up. Carpet bunched beneath my boots as Rook pulled me toward the door.

“What’s going on?!”

“Agh!” Rook doubled over, falling against a bookshelf. The shelf shuddered and rocked as Rook pushed himself up. Lunging, Rook grabbed hold of me again. I tried to pry his fingers off, but his grip was unwavering as he dragged me into the foyer and up the stairs.

Latching onto the banister, I cried, “Where are we going?!” Rook opened his mouth to answer, and a heavy wheeze came out.

Sweat poured from his brow as he wrenched my fingers loose.

“Ow!” I snapped, thinking Rook would have broken my fingers had I not let go.

We reached the top of the stairs, and I flailed, trying to grasp anything that might give me a foothold to resist.

Rook scooped me over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” I twisted, trying to break free. Rook took the steps two and three at a time. I hammered Rook’s back and kicked my knees into his chest, but Rook continued climbing. We passed the sage room where I’d been staying. “Rook!” I shouted. “Where are you taking me?!”

Rook’s response was a pained grunt. I lurched forward as Rook mounted a rickety, spiraling staircase. Stone walls closed around us, passing quickly as Rook hurried up the steps.

To the tower.

While Rook held me firm, his free hand grasped at the stones, trying desperately to keep us righted.

I watched the winding steps below, terrified Rook might fall.

The sickening up-and-down of climbing ceased as we reached the top, and Rook tossed me forward.

Without letting go of me, he tore open an iron-barred cell door.

Twitching, he pointed inside and grunted, “Please!”

“Absolutely not!”

Rook wasn’t asking; he shoved me in. Propelled forward, I hurtled into the wall and hissed as my shins struck the ground.

Across the tower, a set of keys hung from a hook.

Rook ripped them free and rushed the door.

Tremors shook him, and the keys ricocheted against the bars.

Violent thrashing wracked Rook’s body. He dropped the keys and whimpered, like a terrified stray awaiting a beating.

Falling to his knees, Rook tried to pick up the keys.

His fingers, twisted and misshapen, would not obey.

“Agh!” Rook fell against the wall. Through a sweaty mat of hair, Rook met me with a broken stare.

My hands tingled when I looked at the dropped keys.

Was it instinct?

Crawling forward, I picked up the keys, and whispered, “Which one?”

Rook grunted, “Big one.” I held up the biggest key. Rook swallowed and managed a nod. Snaking my arm through the bars, I inserted the key in the lock. I exhaled…and then I locked myself in.

Rook launched forward and snatched the keyring. Turning to the small window, he threw them out.

“No!” I screamed.

Submitting to the compulsion, Rook grimaced as his canines grew, overtaking his lips.

Two pops rang out as Rook’s legs bent and grew.

He fell to his knees, and I scooted back in the cell.

It wasn’t far enough, but I could go no farther.

Cold stone pressed my spine. Rook’s eyes rolled back, leaving milky whites in their stead.

Dark hair sprouted along his neck, and his shirt tore.

Like a wildfire spreading across low brush, hair overtook Rook’s body.

In seconds, Rook was gone. In his place sat a quivering beast, its gangly limbs distorted to fit the tower that confined it. Two feral, yellow eyes snapped open.

The Hound had come.

There was nothing of Rook left in those amber beacons.

Mouth suddenly dry, I gulped—the Hound leapt at the bars, spattering me with drool.

A swinging claw caught my cheek, I barely felt the sting.

The stone ground my shoulder blades as I flattened myself.

Paws tipped with knives swiped at my feet, I yanked them back and crouched, trying to make myself small.

Massive jaws clamped down on the cell door, and the Hound shook its head, spewing frothy saliva as it tried frantically to tear through the bars.

Let them be strong!

When it couldn’t get through, the Hound sat back and howled.

I slammed my hands over my ears, but a dizziness overcame me.

I braced myself, trying not to slip forward even an inch.

A breeze rushed through the tower window and the Hound froze.

Its snout pulled back, sniffing the air that carried in.

The Hound gave another howl and bounded down the stairs.

Scrabbling claws echoed up the tower. They grew fainter, until even my straining ears couldn’t hear them.

Only then did I notice the pain of contorting my body to avoid the Hound.

I slumped into a pile but didn’t relax. Fear and adrenaline kept my muscles tight and ready.

Though the tower was quiet, phantom snarls pounded my eardrums.

I could still see those eyes, bright lanterns in a sea of shadows.

Every encounter with the Hound left me thinking of my father and Lysander.

We shared this bond of terror. How many others would suffer if the Hound was permitted to continue his reign, feasting on our community?

I had to get out of here, and regardless of anything I felt for Rook, the Hound must be stopped.

Rook might be a victim to this place, but he was still a monster.

On my tiptoes, I peered out the barred window. Beneath the moonlight, the Hound galloped down the cobblestone path. It plunged through the veil and was lost in the trees.

Dread consumed me as I wondered:

Who would die tonight?